#8 - Rising Contender: Mike Easton
Right now Mike Easton (13-1) sits just outside of the Bantamweight Top 10, but his record holds noteworthy scalps, including Ivan Menjivar, John Dodson, and Chase Beebe. Easton is on an eight fight win streak (3-0 in the UFC). The only loss in his career came from an injury TKO when he was forced to concede the match (broken arm). Haven't heard of Mike Easton? Here's all you need to know. He's freakish strong with great grappling. The Bantamweights typically don't have a lot of power in their hands, but Easton has 4 knockouts, including a horror show knockout of Hudson Rocha. His feet left the canvas. Google it. He faces off against Raphael Assuncao (18-4), the #9 ranked Bantamweight. Assuncao is undefeated in his short BW career (2-0) and will probably come in as the betting favorite. Despite his bigger record, he's fared rather unfavorably towards top level competition. He's just .500 in his last six fights. If Easton beats Assuncao, then he his next fight will surely come from the top 5. Perhaps the winner of Brad Pickett vs. Eddie Wineland? And did I mention his nickname is the Hulk. Seriously, what's not to love?
Robert Curtis
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Robert Curtis is a columnist, podcaster, screenwriter, and WhatCulture.com MMA editor. He's an American abroad in Australia, living vicariously through his PlayStation 3. He's too old to be cool, but too young to be wise.
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