MMA prospect rankings update lightweight-featherweight: Bubba Jenkins, Joe Ellenberger, & Doo Ho Choi enter top ten

ULTMMA.com has released and updated its 2012 set of Mixed Martial Arts prospect rankings. The rankings cover a top 20 for each of the eight major MMA weight classes heavyweight through flyweight with a total of 160 unsigned prospects rated. 40 prospects from 125-155 pounds have been added with the remaining four weight classes updated by February 1.

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Perhaps two of the deepest divisions in MMA, prospects in the featherweight and lightweight classes provide matchmakers in the UFC and Bellator plenty of worthy options. At 145 and 155 pounds the number potential prospects could easily hold a top 25 or top 40 ranking.

The hype behind featherweight prospect Bubba Jenkins' (1-0) MMA debut began before his senior year wrestling at Arizona State University. Jenkins backed up his talk in March 2011 by capturing a NCAA championship for the Sun Devils at 157 pounds. Jenkins made a successful MMA debut in December 2011 and has the ability to fight at 145 or 155 pounds in 2012.

Local Florida promotion CFA blocks Yoislandy Izquierdo from signing with the UFC

Lightweight prospect Yoislandy "Cuba" Izquierdo (6-0) fought four times for local Florida promotion the Championship Fighting Alliance in 2011. After a perfect 4-0 record under the CFA banner Izquierdo garnered attention from national MMA promotion the UFC and was subsequently signed in January for a UFC on Fuel card in February. On Monday January 25th CageJunkies.com reported that Izquierdo was in a contract dispute with the CFA and would not be allowed to move up to the UFC.

In a very rare act from a regional MMA promotion rather than allow Izquierdo to advance to the UFC, CFA management held firm to a two fight contract that kicked in after Izquierdo captured the organization's' 155 pound title in December 2011.

From Cage Junkies original report

(Alfred) Munoz explained to CageJunkies that he had brokered the deal with UFC and initially received the blessing of CFA CEO Jorge De La Noval to allow the promotion's reigning lightweight champion make the jump. De La Noval was so ecstatic about Izquierdo's jump that he went in front of the CFA roster on January 7th and took credit for the signing and followed by going on Facebook and Twitter sharing the news.

UFC on Fox 2 weigh-in results and preview videos

UFC on Fox 2
Chicago, IL

Phil Davis (205) vs. Rashad Evans (205)
Michael Bisping (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (185)
Demian Maia (186) vs. Chris Weidman (185)
Evan Dunham (155) vs. Nik Lentz (155)
Michael Johnson (156) vs. Shane Roller (156)
Jon Olav Einemo (253) vs. Mike Russow (251)
George Roop (145) vs. Cub Swanson (145)
Charles Oliveira (144) vs. Eric Wisely (145)
Joey Beltran (228) vs. Lavar Johnson (252)
Chris Camozzi (185) vs. Dustin Jacoby (185)

The UFC on Fox 2 weigh-ins take place at the Chicago Theater with the first fighter on the scale at 5:00PM EST (2:00PM PST).

ULTMMA Podcast Episode 14: UFC on Fox 2 preview with Larry Pepe of Pro MMA and Fox Sports Radio

Topics covered in this episode

-Before Larry Pepe joins the show at the 27:00 mark we rap about Brazilian MMA and Diaz vs. Condit
-Can the trio of Weidman, Bisping and Davis upset three former title challengers?
-Are Weidman and Davis ready for the main event spotlight?
-Sonnen vs. Silva and Evans vs. Jones, will the UFC's biggest fights get the green light on Saturday night

MMA prospect rankings update bantamweight-flyweight: Aljamain Sterling, Anthony Gutierrez, & Alexandre Pantoja eye big league call up

ULTMMA.com has released and updated its 2012 set of Mixed Martial Arts prospect rankings. The rankings cover a top 20 for each of the eight major MMA weight classes heavyweight through flyweight with a total of 160 unsigned prospects rated. 40 prospects from 125-135 pounds have been added with the remaining six weight classes updated by February 1.

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A storyline in MMA to watch 2012 will be the continued emergence and recognition of fighters under 135 pounds. In December the UFC finally announced the addition of the flyweight division and booked a four man tournament to crown a champion.. On TV, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (19-1) and contender Urijah Faber (26-5) will coach the 15th installment of the Ultimate Fighter reality series set to air in April.

135 pound prospect Anthony Gutierrez (4-0) lived up to the hype on 2011. After a unheard of 17-3 amateur record Gutierrez was projected as a steady three star prospect when he turned pro in January 2011. In the cage Gutierrez waxed all four his pro opponents over the next 12 months and out of the cage he supplemented his training with trips to Team Alpha Male. The 21 year old Gutierrez is a surefire five star prospect at bantamweight with potential fights in the featherweight division as well.

Audio: UFC on FOX 2 Media Conference Call with Sonnen, Bisping, Evans, Davis, Maia & Weidman

205 prospect Kleber Raimundo Silva stops Emiliano Sordi at Jungle Fight 36

A Brazilian MMA institution Jungle Fight returned to Rio de Janeiro for the 36th event of their nine year history. At the top of the card light heavyweight prospect Keiber Raimundo Silva (9-3) carried his 2011 momentum into his first bout of 2012. Raimundo Silva was matched up with Argentina fighter Emiliano Sordi (3-3).

Raimundo Silva put away Sordi in the final minute of round one with a flurry of punches. Off a hard takedown against the cage Raimundo Silva seized Sordi's back and quickly punched out his opponent until the referee intervened. The stoppage victory was the sixth of Raimundo Silva's career.