After years of going unnoticed, lighter guys get their time to shine

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Jose Aldo (right) is making his name known among the WEC's featherweights. Courtesy of Zuffa Josh Gross's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Josh. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Like many featherweight mixed martial artists who continue to emerge as the division gains prominence across the globe, Jose Aldo's story is one of talent and opportunity.

Five years ago, well before many promoters, including Zuffa, placed resources into fighters competing at less than 155 pounds, Aldo would've needed to work construction alongside his father in Manaus, Brazil, to put food on the table. On Sunday in Corpus Christi, Texas, the 22-year-old, who ranks among the hottest prospects in what is quickly becoming the sport's most intriguing weight class, steps into the cage for the fourth time in eight months under the World Extreme Cagefighting banner.

"It's definitely a great moment for 145-pounders," Aldo said through an interpreter. "It's great exposure we're getting right now."

Led by Mike Thomas Brown, who headlines Sunday's card in his first defense of the WEC belt against Leonard Garcia (Versus, 9 p.m. ET), there's no doubt that MMA fighters sized like boxing kingpins Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are beginning to get their due.

With the WEC pushing hard in the U.S., featherweight, long a favorite of hardcore fans for high-paced fights and competitiveness, is undergoing the kind of boom lightweights prospered from after the UFC reinstated the division in 2006 following a two-year hiatus.

"The best fights are between guys that are extremely talented because they're the most skillful," said Urijah Faber, whom Brown deposed last November. "They pose the most threat to the other guy, so everyone has to bring their 'A game.' You're seeing some incredibly talented guys coming out the woodwork."

Aldo would certainly qualify.

Equal parts fast-twitch muscle fiber and dynamite, Aldo (13-1) appears to be separating himself from a tough lot of nearly 20 featherweights in the WEC. In part that's because WEC matchmaker Sean Shelby believes in the division as strongly as he does Aldo.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Nova Uniao leader Andre Pederneiras hasn't needed to showcase his considerable ground skills just yet. Three fights in the WEC have yielded three knockouts, and that's how the young slugger likes it -- though he says ominously for future opponents that his jiu-jitsu is "definitely" better than his standup.

Aldo faces veteran Chris Mickle, whose 11 losses have come against fighters that all enjoyed some level of success in MMA. Most expect Aldo to be added to the list, though the Brazilian is hardly the only prospect to breakthrough recently. With two major tournaments in Japan complimenting what's happening in the U.S., 145 stands to consistently produce better fights than any division in the sport in 2009.

"I think there's some tough guys in Sengoku and the Dream tournament," said Brown, "but the bulk of them are right here in the WEC."

After forcefully knocking out Faber, Brown (20-4) moved to the top of the featherweight rankings, and even broached some pound-for-pound lists. He is large for the division, and believes himself to be stronger than many lightweights.

"Everyday I try to think I'm the best in the world, now I have to train like it," Brown said. "I'm actually more motivated now than to fight in the past."

Confidence isn't a problem for Brown these days to be sure. Neither is it for his challenger, Garcia, (12-3), a wild puncher who moved down from lightweight several bouts after a photo of him waging war against Roger Huerta scored the cover of Sports Illustrated.

The champion is favored, but only slightly, predicted Faber, who will watch the title fight and Aldo's bout against Mickle with a keen eye.

Aldo, too, will closely take in Brown-Garcia, though not necessarily with the notion that either fighter should be next on his docket. And at least he has the approval of his family, which first balked when he left home at the age of 17 for Rio and a new life.

"They said I should stay and just work," said Aldo, who grew up with two sisters and very little money. "Even though I was a kid and by myself, I made up my mind that that's what I wanted.

"They saw I can do it and they motivate me to keep training and being successful."

In Rio he lived in the gym -- literally. Nova Uniao, one of the most respected MMA gyms in Brazil, became his home. Now married, he's managed to find a new place, though his training regimen remains the same. Still, Aldo stands out among the team's many known fighters because it generally turns out highly efficient grapplers. Not that Aldo isn't -- he just prefers to strike.

"I think he's one of the most talented guys in the division for sure," Faber said of Aldo. "The most impressive in his standup for that matter."

Established fighters like Brown and Faber know the next wave is coming, and if Aldo is any indication there won't be a shortage on serious challengers.

"Aldo is very tough," Brown said before calling him "untested."

"I've got my eye on him," the WEC champ continued. "I've got my eye on a lot of guys. Wagnney Fabiano. Urijah again. Jens (Pulver). There's a boatload of guys in the weight class. But right now, Garcia is the only thing that matters."