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The fastest growing sportin the world,Mixed Martial Artsgets a new generation of fighters to make the sport grow bigger than before. These new crop of fighters have what it takes to cut it with the big shots.They have taken the world by storm and are making many of the old dogs in the industry clutch tothier titles, feelinguncomfortable. For the fans, it only gets more exciting as these new faces make the rounds, making a name for themselves in this tough line of business. We have the whole of 2014 to see just how much of an impact any of these fighters will to the current power rankings.
#1 Cathal Pendred
Pendred got known through his exploits in Cage Warriors and his relationship with Conor McGregor. But the Irish fighter is set to be a contestant on TUF 19 under the instruction of either B.J. Penn or Frankie Edgar, and he's looks like the favorite to win the whole thing. He's already beaten three UFC veterans, most recently defeating Che Mills. Pendred might be the best prospect TUF has turned out in years, and by the end of 2014, at the rate at which he’s going, people expect him to have two UFC wins under his belt.
#2 Brandon Thatch
Thatch has already got two wins in the UFC and so it goes to show that Thatch is a welterweight to be taken seriously. Only one of his 13 career fights has lasted more than the first round. The welterweight division being packed as it is, they can either choose to bring him along slowly or throw some serious challengers at him right away and see if he'll sink or swim. I believe it will be the latter, and Thatch could be knocking on the door of the top 10 with a 5-0 UFC record by the end of the year.
#3 Michael Page
Dubbed the "British Anderson Silva", one can already imagine the manner in which Michael Page fights. The 26-year old English fighter has grown famous because of his striking, which is unique to say the least and at times, reminiscent of the Spider. The tall, lanky welterweight throws all sorts of crazy kicks and is surprisingly accurate with his hands. He made his Bellator debut last March and knocked out his opponent in 10 seconds. He even fought in the SFL, an Indian MMA competition. At 5-0, he could be a star in the making for Bellator if he continues to fight otherwise there is always the UFC.
#4 Erik Perez
Perez already has five UFC fights under his belt and boasts a record of 4-1. But the Mexican fighter is still only 24 and looks like he’s ready to set fire to the bantamweight division in 2014. He's well-rounded, practices at a great camp (Jackson's), and is still young enough to get his wrestling up to the point where he can challenge the top guys in the division. By 2015, a top five rank in his division is quite possible for Perez.
#5 Albert Tumenov
If you haven’t heard this name before it’s alright, not a lot of people have. However, if you’re an MMA follower, this is a name that you should get acquainted with especially as we wait to see what he does this year in 2014. Albert Tumenov is a 21-year-old Russian who recently signed by the UFC and made his debut at UFC Fight Night 36 against Ildemar Alcantara. He's 12-1 overall and has finished his last few fights by TKO. His striking is precise and powerful and he's going to be a super entertaining welterweight in the UFC.
#6 Kyoji Horiguchi
The natural flyweight made his UFC debut at 135 and toasted Dustin Pague in the second round. Horiguchi is a former Shooto champ and has defeated some of the best competition Japan had to offer on his way over to the UFC. His striking ability makes him an immediate threat in the UFC's flyweight division. He could easily add on 2-3 more wins and could maybe be close to a title shot by the end of the year. Only time will tell.
#7 Holly Holm
We’ve discussed a lot of male fighters, and the reason there are not many women on the list is because currently, there isn’t anyone who looks like a break-out star amongst them. However, there are always exceptions and Holly Holm is one such exception. Holm is a former 18-time world boxing champion, in three former weight classes and she has looked unstoppable since transitioning over to MMA. She is not just a boxer turned cage fighter. She is an actual future title threat, assuming all things go accordingly and all the pieces fall into their rightful places. Those pieces include Holm's overall learning curve, her ground game and her ability to overcome experience with raw athleticism and strength. She has an impressive pro record so far of 6-0, with five coming by way of KO or TKO. She could very well give women's current queen, Ronda Rousey a run for her money.
#8 Justin Gaethje
The 25-year-old Grudge fighter is making the rounds these days and already has three wins in WSOF. Even though the WSOF lightweight division isn't really all that deep, Justin has already knocked off some serious competition and is the favorite to win the title. Eventually he will most likely have to face Nick Newell for the belt, and victory over him will catapult Gaethje skyward as one of the top non-UFC 155ers in the world. WSOF desperately needs a breakout star, and Gaethje might just be that guy.
#9 Conor McGregor
This was a name I had doubts with adding to the list, but despite all his talking and other off ring antics, Conor McGregor has got what it takes to make it big. Hate him or love him, he still has the skill and his various antics outside the ring may only help his popularity. But only sounding his mouth off isn't going to get him a title shot anytime soon, and so like everyone else he'll have to rely on his raw skills to climb the divisional ladder. Fortunately for the 26-year-old rising superstar, he has plenty of it.
From unorthodox strikes to thunderous ground-and-pound, all McGregor has to do to capture a shot at gold in 2015 is to remain offensively lethal and tactically entertaining which so far he has been doing well, drawing vast crowds to his fights.
#10 Nikita Krylov
Nikita Krylov
This list surely would not have been complete without this man’s name in it. Nikita "The Al Capone" Krylov, the very nick name he adorns shows just how much he means business. Not only does he have a spotless record, but he has finished all of his fight and that too, all in the first round. And so his nickname is not just "Al Capone," it's "THE Al Capone." Well, the UFC didn't miss getting him, and I suppose that's all that really matters. He may take some time to adjust to the UFC, but looking and listening to his various accolades, I'd go as far as calling him the 2014 UFC heavyweight champion. Ok, on second thought, that could be a little far-fetched. But for sure he can get himself a win or three in that division.
