After an exhaustive survey of the worldwide light heavyweight prospect pool that involved over fifty names, we've finally worked our way down to the #1 ranked prospect on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (8-0) takes our top spot as one of the most highly-anticipated light heavyweight prospects we've seen come out of Brazil in a few years.
At #2 on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Ring of Combat Heavyweight champion Gian Villante (7-1) takes his place as one of our top three light heavyweight prospects to keep an eye on in the future. He was signed by Strikeforce last week to participate in the third reserve bout of the heavyweight grand prix tournament
At #3 on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Jimi Manuwa (9-0) adds his name to that list of great talent in the coming year. His ferocious Muay Thai techniques and devastating counter-striking abilities make him one of the most dangerous fighters on our countdown.
At #4 on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Glover Teixeira (11-2) is another name to add to the handful of fighters who we previously mentioned back in 2009, but has yet to see the light of day in a major mixed martial arts promotion.
At #5 on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Jan Blachowicz (12-2) makes a strong case that Poland is a country to keep an eye on in the future. His well-rounded skills and continued success against progressively better competition should have him on a shortlist of potential acquisitions for any major promotion.
At #6 on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Cuban world champion freestyle wrestler Yoel Romero (2-0) makes a case that there are still Olympic-level wrestlers out there looking to make the transition to mixed martial arts.
At #7 on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Ryan Jimmo (13-1) heads the list of Canadian light heavyweight prospects who could finally see himself walking inside the cage of a major promotion in 2011.
Nik Fekete (4-0), a NCAA Division I All-American from Michigan State University, has been instrumental in helping mold some of the most successful mixed martial artists in the world, but there is a very good chance you've never heard of him.
Ranking at #9 on our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Finland's Marcus Vanttinen (18-2) sits in prime position to make a run at a UFC contract in 2011. With a mammoth 6'4" frame and a very well-rounded skill-set, Vanttinen has the potential to have staying power in a major promotion
Starting off our 2011 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report, Nova Uniao Kimura team member Ronny Markes (8-1) chimes in at #10 on our countdown. Markes started his career with a seven-fight winning streak before being caught by Paulo Henrique Garcia Rodrigues at Iron Man VII in October.
