In its finality, the season produced three worthy competitors who have made an impact on the UFC's heavyweight division: Roy Nelson, Matt Mitrione, and Brendan Schaub. Nelson knocked out Schaub to win the season finale as he was expected to do, but he never panned out as a top flight contender. He was dominated by Frank Mir and Junior dos Santos at UFC 130 and UFC 117 respectively.
Matt Mitrione has been a pleasant surprise in the lower rungs of the division. He's made his way out of the basement and into a scheduled bout with UFC veteran Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 in October after knocking out both Christian Morecraft and Tim Hague. He's on the verge of tasting what it's like to sit on the outside and look in.
Of those three successful fighters built from the TUF mold, Brendan Schaub may be the only one who can stand the test of time. Mitrione, while successful, is 33 years old, and there isn't any evidence to suggest Nelson will make a breakthrough at the age of 35.
Schaub has the opportunity on Saturday night at UFC 134: Rio to rise through the rankings and stake his claim to a spot in the division's top ten when he takes on legendary Brazilian fighter Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. It's a chance to cement himself as an upper-echelon talent at the prime age of 28 and maintain his status as an elite fighter for years to come.
Nogueira, who has shared the ring with legends such as Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Mark Coleman, and Dan Henderson, might be in the best fighting shape he's ever been in when he enters the Octagon on his home soil. A year-and-a-half layoff and considerable repair to his body should rejuvinate the former PRIDE heavyweight champion, but ring rust is undoubtedly in the back of everyone's mind.
Could Saturday's outcome solidify Schaub's placement as a mainstay at the top of the UFC's heavyweight division? If Schaub's early progression is any indication, this is only the beginning of an eventual run at the top. At every step in the ladder, Schaub has leaped ten steps, vaulting himself to where he is today in a little over three years. That's only slightly more time than current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Schaub may never wreak havoc on the division's elite, but it's difficult to ignore the quickened pace he's learned the tricks of the trade. In roughly two years, Schaub achieved a Golden Gloves boxing championship and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Those might not be the most telling signs of his impending success. They are, however, indications that he possesses the athleticism and drive to succeed at the highest levels.
