What makes UFC exciting, is watching a UFC star make a rise and end up a champion. That may be one of the most fun things to tune in as a hardcore MMA fan. The rise of fighters like Jon Jones and Conor Mcgregor are the ones that may be the most fun to watch. There are also fighters then end up during their rise, which is part of the sports.
We look at 2021, despite the pandemic happening, still a lot of potential superstars in the making. There are a lot of MMA freshmen that had a great year for 2020 and could even change the landscape of UFC rankings once more.
5.) Ciryl Gane (#7 Heavyweight)
Probably the most technical striker in the heavyweight division, Gane is a rising star that is also undefeated. Although he only has a 6-0 record, he has a win over Junior Dos Santos. It was his first test if he is a legit heavyweight contender, and he passed with flying colors.
Although he is known to be a technical striker, he also has won via submission. A win two more times might grant him a title shot. He is currently scheduled to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik on 13 March at UFC Fight Night 187.
4.) Kevin Holland (#10 Middleweight)
No fighter had a better year than Kevin Holland in the list. He fought five times in 2020 and won all five of them. One of those was against Joaquin Buckley, who owned the trending spinning back kick knockout. What makes him a star is because not only is he good at fighting, he also well-spoken.
His last win was even more impressive where he knocked out Ronaldo Souza off his back. Holland is currently scheduled to face Derek Brunson on 20 March at UFC Fight Night 188. He is ranked
3.) Bryce Mitchell (#14 Featherweight)
Mitchell joined the UFC through the TUF: Miocic vs Cormier. He may have lost in the TUF against the TUF Winner Brad Katona but he still has yet to taste a defeat in his pro-MMA record. Mitchell is known to be a high-level BJJ specialist.
He became famous for the rare submission, the twister against Matt Sayles. Only a few MMA fighters have successfully done it. His toughest test was against Andre Fili and beat him via unanimous decision.
2.) Jiri Prochazka (#5 Light-heavyweight)
With Jon Jones vacating his belt to move up in the heavyweight, the competition may have tighter. Jan Blachowicz just won the light-heavyweight champion, but will he dominate it long or Jiri can fight for it within the year.
He became trending due to his hands down flashy style and his devastating knockout against Volkan Oezedmir. Jiri is currently scheduled to face Dominick Reyes on 27 February UFC Fight Night 186.
1.) Khamzat Chimaev (#14 Welterweight)
Probably the most famous fighter on the list right now. He gained a tremendous following due to his quick turnaround fight where he fought 10 days after his win. It was also in two different divisions. He was so dominant in all three of his fights that UFC is fast-tracking him to a top 5 contender.
His last fight against Gerald Meerschaert was also one for the books. The first punch he landed knocked Gerald out cold. He is currently scheduled to main-event on 13 March UFC Fight Night 187 against Leon Edwards.
