I would say if you breed it with spirittomb(which is in 4th gym), and get nasty plot as breeding move.
I predict this could go to A rank or even A+ because of strong it will go just because of the move with it's base stats, it's ridicoulus.
(Edit) I'll do rank a pokemon. Anyone disagree with me, just tell me.
Infernape.
A rank
Obtainable: Before Gym 1, Limited Event (Starter)
Abilities: Iron fist, always get this ability if you use the element punch. Even not, it would greatly help the mach punch.
Moves.
Level up.
Mach punch, flame wheel, punishment(if you want to), close combat, acrobaties(if you don't use any items) and flare blitz that removes flame wheel.
However you can get the flare blitz earlier when you find a hidden heart scale, and your evolution is infernape aka. fully.
Breeding moves: Thunder punch only. Fire punch is an other option if you don't want to use flare blitz.
And they are all breedable from earlier pokemon such meditite. So another good point.
Useful For:
Venam(fine), Keta(just for lucario really or pokemon that is slower than itself), Marianette(Great for speed and attack power)
Narcissa(Not reccommendable unless a few pokemon) Valerie(NOPE), Crawli(Piece of cake), Angie(Of course really nice expection of froslass)
Amber(Not useful). Also it will help you a lot with the boss battles.
Summary: He is the guy that you will use him a lot. Never useless in any badge in my experience, is mostly to kill when the opponent have been weakened, or for the pokemon that is super effective enough.
He is pretty much a crazy guy so don't want to end.
Maybe a nerfed blaziken, but is still a really a useful pokemon.