Going streaking: What's next for the UFC's hottest unscheduled contenders
When you're a UFC fighter, taking care of business for the company doesn't always lead to the company taking care of you.
How else to explain the lineup of contenders on the sidelines waiting for a fight instead of knowing exactly where they stand in the promotional pecking order? In fairness to UFC officials, some of their best athletes are in limbo due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, but the fact that there's no clear-cut plan for these talents is disturbing to say the least.
Here are six championship-worthy fighters that have put together impressive winning streaks only to find themselves MIA from the upcoming schedule:
Tony Ferguson
Were there any justice, Tony Ferguson would have finally gone to battle with rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in March. Unfortunately, a weight cut-related illness forced Nurmagomedov to withdraw less than 48 hours away from their interim lightweight title fight, the third time that the two fighters saw a scheduled clash fall apart.
Even though Conor McGregor officially holds the UFC's undisputed championship, there has been no fighter at 155 pounds better than Ferguson over the past three years. His brilliant run was capped off by a unanimous decision win over former champion Rafael dos Anjos, a performance that showcased Ferguson's brilliant all-around game.
Though he should be booked soon, Ferguson makes this list because his options are murky. McGregor has vowed that he will box Floyd Mayweather next, and the pairing with Nurmagomedov appears to be cursed, meaning it looks like there's no way for Ferguson to go but backwards.
What's next: Ideally, Nate Diaz puts his pursuit of a McGregor trilogy bout on hold and agrees to take on Ferguson in what would be an all-time classic.
Yoel Romero
One UFC employee that can understand Ferguson's frustration is middleweight contender Yoel Romero. The 39-year-old Cuban wrestler has been an absolute wrecking ball since joining the UFC in 2013, winning all eight of his fights with only two going to the scorecards. After destroying former champion Chris Weidman with a flying knee at UFC 205, it was all but assumed that he would be the next challenger for the 185-pound belt.
Instead, current titleholder Michael Bisping managed to work out a title fight with returning welterweight legend Georges St-Pierre, leaving Romero in the lurch.
What's next: More uncertainty, as Romero has hinted he will wait for the winner of Bisping-GSP with no guarantee that he is actually next in line.
Joseph Benavidez
While flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson continues his historic title march, chief rival Joseph Benavidez has put together the second-best winning streak in the division at six. The only thing stopping him from getting another crack at "Mighty Mouse" is the fact that the champ has already beat him twice.
Now, every time Benavidez knocks off a fellow contender, he's actually making it easier for Johnson to stay on top, and as long as Johnson stays on top, Benavidez will perpetually be one step away from a third Johnson fight.
What's next: Benavidez prays for Johnson to lose, retire, or be struck by lightning to clear the path for another title shot.
Derrick Lewis
Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis has carved out a nice niche for himself in the rapidly aging heavyweight division as a man who is ready to fight anyone, anywhere. While that's helped him to build a six-fight winning streak, it also means that the matchmakers feel no obligation to grant him a top-five opponent anytime soon.
What's next: Lewis is rumored to be facing Mark Hunt in June, a fan-friendly encounter that still won't do much to improve either man's prospects.
Raquel Pennington
Outside of champion Amanda Nunes, Raquel Pennington's streak of four straight wins is the best among the female 135ers. Her run culminated in a lopsided decision win over former titleholder Miesha Tate, cementing her status as a top-five fighter.
One of the UFC's more mild-mannered fighters, Pennington hasn't followed her peers in calling for fights via social media, and appears to be content waiting to see what the matchmakers have in store for her.
What's next: Pennington is a good soldier, so she's likely just one win away from getting a crack at Nunes.
Jimmie Rivera
Cody Garbrandt, Dominick Cruz, and TJ Dillashaw seem to be locked into a three-way dance at the top of the bantamweight division, leaving New Jersey's Jimmie Rivera to add to his 19-fight professional win streak in relative obscurity.
Only four of those have taken place in the Octagon, but that includes veterans Urijah Faber and Iuri Alcantara. Rivera was supposed to fight sixth-ranked Bryan Caraway this past January, but Caraway withdrew due to an injury and it's unclear when Rivera will get another chance to improve his standing.
What's next: Unless Cruz feels generous and decides to give Rivera a shot to make a name off of him, it's more likely that the 27-year-old will be on ice until other bantamweight matchups are resolved.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)