UFC 171 is a star-studded card that features former titleholders and top contenders in some weight classes. However, it is also home to a good number of prospects.
The prelims have a number of future main carders who could reach the top end of their divisions in no time. These talented fighters are just looking for their big break and a marquee win.
Although we could note many competitors, here are three prelim fighters who could break out in Dallas.
Kelvin Gastelum
The winner of The Ultimate Fighter 17, Kelvin Gastelum is already set up for success in the UFC. The young welterweight is 2-0 in the UFC and could get a keynote win in Dallas against Rick Story.
After upsetting Uriah Hall to win the 17th season of the long-running reality show, he came back in his sophomore effort to utterly decimate Brian Melancon. Those two wins opened up eyes, earning him this big step up in competition.
Story is an established vet who has beaten Thiago Alves, among others. If Gastelum beats Story, he would have the credible win he needs to earn bigger-name opponents and garner top-20 attention.
He could be the breakout star of the entire card with a great performance.
Alex Garcia
Just from his look and power, Alex Garcia has drawn comparisons to Hector Lombard. Since Lombard is also on the card, Garcia can really show fans how similar he is to the 170-pound contender.
Garcia is a Tristar rep who has just less than one minute's worth of UFC experience. The Dominican-Canadian destroyer walked through Ben Wall in his debut, showing a killer instinct and uncanny power.
Many people think this guy is the future of the division. An impressive performance against Sean Spencer, a tough, gritty vet, would solidify Garcia as someone to watch at 170 pounds.
Sean Strickland
Who is Sean Strickland? Where did he come from?
Totally missed the news yesterday about UFC signing Sean Strickland. Was probably the best non-UFC, non-Khalidov middleweight out there.
— Scott Harris (@ScottHarrisMMA) March 5, 2014
Well, if you're like me, you already know about Strickland, a top middleweight prospect who was just signed by the UFC to replace Tor Troeng against Bubba McDaniel. Hardcore fans have eagerly waited for him to get the call from Joe Silva and company.
He is a King of the Cage champion who has an undefeated record of 13-0 with 10 finishes in his career. His ground game is solid, but he has been putting down opponents left and right with his striking.
Some might think that late notice will affect Strickland in his UFC debut against McDaniel, but he was originally supposed to fight a couple of weekends ago against UFC vet Tomasz Drwal in Poland before getting the call to fill in on this card.
He will be in fighting shape to show the world who he is. He could easily break out with a solid outing against the Greg Jackson-trained fighter.
