It’s been simply over a month since EA Sports launched UFC 4, and whereas it is a robust entry within the franchise with a wide-spanning roster of probably the most recognizable athletes on this planet’s greatest MMA promotion, there are a couple of noteworthy names lacking from the roster. From current signings and new breakout stars to outdated favorites who hold flirting with a comeback, these are the fighters I’d like to see added to the UFC Four roster.
1. Khamzat Chimaev
Without query, Chimaev has been one of many breakout stars of 2020. From his two dominant wins inside a 10-day interval in July on Fight Island to his huge one-punch knockout over UFC veteran Gerald Meerschaert, Khamzat Chimaev is on a rocket-like trajectory proper now. Even although he is simply now eyeing his fourth battle within the UFC, even UFC president Dana White is singing his praises, saying, “This man is likely one of the most particular fighters I’ve ever seen, if not probably the most particular man that I’ve ever come throughout.”
2. Amanda Ribas
Another one of many greatest up-and-coming stars within the UFC, Amanda Ribas has confirmed that she belongs within the contender dialog after making her debut final June. After showcasing her Brazilian jiu-jitsu with a submission win over Emily Whitmire in her debut, Ribas rattled off two dominant choice wins over Mackenzie Dern and Randa Markos earlier than her greatest victory in a lightning-quick submission win over the ever-popular Paige VanZant.
3. Brock Lesnar
Probably probably the most unlikely inclusion on this record attributable to dear licensing and possible unique offers with different leisure corporations, Brock Lesnar is regularly one of the vital intriguing and charming figures to a big portion of the MMA fanbase. After a meteoric rise by way of the heavyweight division a number of years in the past, Lesnar was capable of seize and defend the championship belt. Lesnar returned from retirement in 2016, however after securing a win over veteran Mark Hunt, Lesnar’s victory was overturned attributable to an anti-doping coverage violation, leaving a nasty style within the mouth of many Lesnar MMA followers. Currently, Lesnar is a free agent, and whereas Dana White would not paint a very optimistic image for Lesnar’s return to the Octagon, there isn’t any denying the behemoth’s star energy and skill to seize an viewers.
4. Jiri Prochazka
To say Prochazka was thrown to the wolves in his UFC debut in July can be an understatement. The former Rizin champion appeared proper at house in his new group, knocking former title contender Volkan Oezdemir out chilly. The rankings panel of the UFC appears to agree that this man has what it takes to make it within the UFC, as that single win catapulted him to be the sixth-ranked mild heavyweight on the roster.
5. Michael Chandler
Perhaps the largest free agent signing in current reminiscence, Michael Chandler has served as one of many faces of Bellator for a decade. Now, the previous champion has signed with the UFC and is able to instantly step right into a championship battle in October ought to something occur to both Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje. While it stays to be seen simply how he’ll do in opposition to top-tier UFC competitors, the matchups that await him are intriguing and thrilling. Let us see them play out in EA Sports UFC Four now.
6. Aleksandar Rakić
While his most up-to-date win over Anthony Smith wasn’t probably the most electrifying essential occasion we have ever seen, Aleksandar Rakić is a bona fide mild heavyweight contender. We have Dominick Reyes and Jan Błachowicz combating for the vacant title this weekend, and the oft-delayed Thiago Santos and Glover Teixeira battle presumably to find out the following primary contender, however Rakić is true behind these names relating to mild heavyweight rivalry.
7. Vicente Luque
When you take a look at how UFC Four fights usually go, they’re often fast-paced, all-action affairs. Vicente Luque has delivered that in the actual Octagon time and time once more. Not solely that, however he is constantly overwhelmed the very best the UFC has to supply, solely dropping to top-tier welterweight expertise like Stephen Thompson and Leon Edwards. Luque has constantly been underrated by followers and the rankings panel, though he presently sits at quantity 10 within the UFC welterweight rankings. It’s time to convey “The Silent Assassin” into the game.
8. Calvin Kattar
Even as one of many greatest up-and-coming names within the UFC, it feels fallacious to name Calvin Kattar a prospect. As the present quantity 6 contender within the featherweight division, the 32-year-old Kattar has proven off elite boxing capability, with wins over Dan Ige, Jeremy Stephens, Shane Burgos, and Ricardo Lamas. As Kattar continues to climb the ranks, it can really feel like an enormous gap within the EA Sports UFC Four roster.
9. Irene Aldana
Irene Aldana might probably be the following problem for the reigning bantamweight champion (and feminine MMA GOAT) Amanda Nunes, however even outdoors of that, the Mexican-born fighter has spectacular wins over among the UFC’s high bantamweights in Ketlen Vieira, Vanessa Melo, and Bethe Correia. If Aldana is ready to get previous her greatest problem but – Holly Holm within the October Four essential occasion – she must be added to the roster as quickly as potential.
10. Pedro Munhoz
Sure, “The Young Punisher” has been on a little bit of a skid these days, however Pedro Munhoz has been a mainstay within the UFC bantamweight division for greater than six years now, taking out among the massive names like Cody Garbrandt and Rob Font, and solely dropping to probably the most elite fighters like Frankie Edgar and Aljamain Sterling.
In the meantime, we are able to settle with creating the fighters, which is a extra streamlined course of due to the brand new archetype system, however on the identical time, formally licensed additions are at all times the popular route. Who would you prefer to see added to the game?
