By Jeffrey “Karmaatemycat” Watts
[Ed. note: Longtime Potato Nation member Karmaatemycat is having his third amateur MMA fight tomorrow night in Wisconsin. He claims he's going to wear a CagePotato shirt during his walkout, and in return, I promised I'd publish an article that he wrote, no matter how bad it is. Turns out, it's really not bad at all — although you might disagree with some of the names on this list. Send him your best wishes and scathing criticism in the comments section...]
Too often in the fight game, fans and the media get caught up with a single fighter and forget the little guy. The scrappers who pour everything they have into what they do. The underrated fighters who slip beneath everyone’s radar. Some of these fighters are more high-profile then others, but they’re all extremely underrated considering the work and ability they have shown inside the cage or ring. Hopefully after reading this article you’ll have a new appreciation for them.
10. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (8-3)

At the age of 26, not many people can touch the resume Johnson has put together in his short MMA career. You always hear people talk about a “well-rounded striker” — well, Johnson’s that guy that knocks people the fuck out. Rumble made his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 10 — taking a fight on less then a week’s notice and KO’ing his opponent Chad Reiner in only thirteen seconds — and he’s picked up four more KO/TKO wins since then (along with a Knockout of the Night bonus and a Fight of the Night bonus). Johnson is certainly someone to keep your eyes on in 2011 as he is set to fight Dan Hardy at UFC Fight Night: Ortiz vs. Nogueira on March 26th.
9. Ben “Funky” Askren (7-0)

Askren is well known for his wrestling, compiling a record of 153-8 during his collegiate career and competing in the 2008 summer Olympics. Askren currently remains undefeated and is the Bellator Welterweight Champion. His critics will tell you that he simply won’t last in this sport and that his hands just aren’t there. I for one will tell you that with his level of grappling and the training partners he currently surrounds himself with, there’s just no place for him to go except up. Askren has finished three of his seven opponents via submission and one by referee stoppage. He is currently set to fight Nick Thompson at Bellator 40 on April 9th.

8. Rafael “Feijão” Cavaclante (12-2)

Cavaclante is the current Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight champion. Training out of Black House, he has shown great prowess in the cage by finding ways to put his fists and knees in all the right places. Still, he has critics who question his ability and casual MMA fans who don’t even realize he exists. Cavalcante has left nothing but a highlight reel of knockouts and a trail of cadavers from the very start of his MMA career. I suggest nobody blinks when he meets Dan Henderson on March 5th when his Light-Heavyweight Championship will be on the line.
7. Zoila “Warrior Princess” Frausto (10-1)

With a division no deeper then women’s 115lbs, I think it’s only right to mention a name that in my opinion will be household in time. Zoila Frausto is only 27 and barely two years into the fight game has accomplished more then most female fighters in history. She is the current 115lbs Bellator Women’s champion, winning the belt at Bellator 34 via split decision against Megumi Fujii, who was riding a twenty-two fight winning streak. Zoila has proven thus far that the fight game is her life; to have her as a frontrunner in women’s MMA can only bring good things to the sport.
6. Dan “The Handler” Hornbuckle (22-3)

I can’t think of a more well-rounded fighter on my list then Dan Hornbuckle, who has scored 11 submissions during his pro career to go along with his nine knockouts. The skill set and intensity that Dan brings to the ring/cage is not only great for the fans, but also an amazing testament to the evolution of Mixed Martial Arts. Dan Hornbuckle is currently one of the contestants in the Welterweight tournament being held by Bellator. He is currently scheduled to fight Brent Weedman in the Quarterfinals at Bellator 35. Keep an eye on him, because 2011 could be his year.
5. Cole Miller (17-5)

Miller makes his way onto my list of underrated fighters because some still don’t believe he’s the real deal. A brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter season five, Cole is a master at the ground game and is very able and willing to stand with an opponent if need be. Cole is both entertaining and hard working inside and out of the cage. He might be most well known for his recent public statements against “Safe Fighting.” At the age of 26, Cole Miller has plenty of fight left in the tank and he guarantees excitement every time.
4. Satoru Kitaoka (27-10-9)

Kitaoka is a man who should need no introduction yet is unknown to so many MMA fans. In 2008 he became the Sengoku Lightweight champion after defeating Takanori Gomi via submission. Kitaoka is a renowned submission grappler with wins over names such as Carlos Condit, Kurt Pellegrino and Paul Daley. Fifteen of his twenty-seven wins come by submission. He’d make a fine addition to the UFC Lightweight roster, and he’s still young enough to make an impact in the sport for years to come.
3. Hitomi Akano (16-8)

After seven years of grueling battles and hard-fought wars you would think she’d get more respect. Hitomi Akano is easily one of the toughest women in the sport. She has fought a who’s who of female fighters in MMA. Thirteen of her sixteen wins come via submission, and she has only been stopped once in her career (and that was by an overweight Christine Santos). She has held a Middleweight title for Smackgirl at 128lbs, and has also fought at 135lbs. One can only imagine what’s next for this underrated veteran.
2. Sergei Kharitonov (18-4)

When it comes to Russian fighters most MMA fans only have eyes for Fedor. Though with the resurgence of another Russian in MMA, I figured a history lesson was in order for this dark horse. Sergei has been competing in mixed martial arts since he 19, and has also competed in kickboxing and boxing. He currently trains at Golden Glory, and has spent time training with “The Last Emperor.” He represents Mother Russia with a level of ferocity that has not been seen since the Cold War. Though many critics question how far he’ll make it in Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix, he could prove to be a profitable choice and if nothing else, entertaining. Sergei is set to fight the winner of Brett Rogers vs. Josh Barnett in the Semi-Finals of the Heavyweight Grand Prix, date TBA.
1. Hector Lombard (27-2-1)

Without repeating what I am sure many other writers have, Hector Lombard is hands down the most underrated and overlooked fighter in mixed martial arts to date. Hector is currently on a twenty-fight winning streak, excluding his one draw. He currently holds Middleweight Championships for both the CFC and Bellator. He is currently the only person to ever successfully defend their championship in Bellator at any weight class not to mention that he has successfully defended the CFC Middleweight Championship six consecutive times. Hector is also well known for his Judo background and holds a black belt in jiu-jitsu. I can only hope and pray that when Hector’s contract is up the UFC tries its very best to snatch him up so that he can fight the elite of the 185lbs division. Remember when I advised you not to blink during Feijao vs. Henderson? Well, you should just remove your eyelids altogether for Lombard’s next fight, because when the shit goes down not even Forrest Griffin’s Survival Guide is going to help.