This week I’m going to be ranking my top 5 underrated fighters in MMA today. Now when I say underrated, don’t confuse that by thinking I assume you won’t know these names. Most of these guys are established fighters, but I feel like they haven’t gotten the credit or recognition they deserve yet. Maybe this should be called the “under-appreciated” list.

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5. Paul “Semtex” Daley (22-8) 170 lbs

Semtex may be the perfect nickname for Paul Daley because he is the definition of explosive. 17 of his 22 wins have come by TKO or KO and he rarely leaves a crowd disappointed (unless you’re rooting for the other guy). He works off of a karate and Muay Thai base and he uses his long arms and quick feet to overwhelm his opponent’s right from the bell. He trains with a group of very good fighters at Team Rough House in England including the next 170 lb title contender and knockout artist Dan Hardy. His debut fight in the UFC came on short notice and against a very good fighter in Martin Kampmann but he smothered Kampmann from square one and earned a first round TKO. I’d have Daley higher up on this list if not for the glaring weakness in his ground game. If Daley rounds out his overall game, he could easily be a title contender at welterweight in the near future.

4. Eddie Alvarez (19-2) 155 lbs

Eddie Alvarez is probably the least known fighter on my list, but his track record speaks for itself. Alvarez holds multiple titles in 2 weight classes for promotions like Bellator and MFC. One thing is a proven fact with Alvarez, win or lose he does whatever he can to finish the fight. Only 2 of his 21 professional fights have gone the distance, and he even won both of those. This guy is on a roll right now, and I feel like it’s only a matter of time before we see Eddie Alvarez getting called up to the big leagues.  He’s solid on the ground as well as with his stand up and it may be fun to see if he could do some damage in a crowded lightweight division in the UFC. We’ll have to wait and see on that.

3. Dominick Cruz (14-1) 135 lbs

Dominick Cruz is a fighter whose stock is rising faster than maybe anyone else in the game. After fighting at 145 lbs for a while, he got a shot in the WEC against then reigning title holder Urijah Faber. While Cruz fell short in his debut, he lost no confidence and has been on a roll since suffering the only loss of his career. Cruz dropped down to 135 lbs where his size, skill and unpredictable striking have proven too much for the rest of the weight class to handle.  He recently took on previously unbeaten Joseph Benavidez and came away with a lop-sided victory that surprised a lot of people. Rumor is that he could be next in line for a title shot, and if that’s true I suggest you do whatever you can to watch this kid fight.

2. Matt “The Immortal” Brown (13-7) 170 lbs

While Matt Brown’s record is less than stellar, watching this guy’s game grow in the past year tells a much different story.  You’d think a 28 year old with a 13-7 record should never be on an “underrated” list, let alone a UFC roster. But what the record doesn’t show is that Brown has a reputation of taking fights on short notice and turning them into exciting brawls. Brown also has a reputation of going for the kill right off the bat, and since he’s gotten a shot in the UFC he’s showed no fear on the big stage and is rapidly becoming a fan favorite. A weakness on the ground stunted Brown’s growth as a fighter early in his career, as he would get overwhelmed looking for a KO and kept getting caught in submissions. But since signing on with BJJ black belt Jorge Gurgel’s camp he’s quickly showing that he’s comfortable now with dominating on the ground just as much as he is on his feet. Brown is 4-1 since entering the UFC with all 4 wins coming by TKO or submission, the only loss coming in a fight Don Hyung Kim in which he fought on short notice and ended up on the wrong side of a very controversial decision. “The Immortal” has improved each and every fight I’ve seen him in, and right now he’s starting to look like a guy that contenders with something to lose want nothing to do with. The future holds big things for this guy, so keep an eye out for him.

1. Jon “Bones” Jones (9-0) 205 lbs

Jon Jones may be one of the most physically gifted athletes in the UFC. His raw athleticism may be on the same level as GSP, and that’s saying a lot. In his 9 professional fights, Jones has gotten by with a good wrestling base and a very unorthodox striking game. Spinning elbows and back kicks have become constant highlights in Jones’ fights. Jones second bout in the UFC came against veteran and cult favorite brawler Stephan Bonner, where he displayed strong takedowns and superior striking en route to his biggest victory to date. One may ask how a fighter with only 9 pro fights gets my top spot as the most underrated, and the answer is as simple as where he trains. While racking up wins early in his career while training at a relatively obscure gym, the already well-rounded Jones has decided to move his game to Albuquerque and Greg Jackson’s gym. Jackson is known for making fighters into champions by employing a strong mind with a stronger fight game plan and his guys are always well prepared. By making this move, I can’t see Jon Jones staying out of title contention in a powerful 205 lb division where he’s already showed enough talent and skill to give anybody trouble.

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