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The fact that UFC fighters love the unforgiving sport of MMA is truly commendable. While it takes years and years to master a martial art, the prospect of excelling in multiple styles is an even tougher one. Therefore, the window a UFC fighter has to enjoy his prime is a narrow one. It starts late and ends early, especially given the damage athletes sustain over the years to their bodies and brains.
That is why it is a special feat for an MMA fighter to get signed by the UFC at a young age. It could mean that the said athletes are talented enough to make a mark on such a big platform before they get old. Or that they were practically kids when they started training.
The UFC does have a bunch of stars who haven't yet hit 30 years of age. On that note, here's a look at five of the best UFC fighters under the age of 30:
#5 Khamzat Chimaev - UFC middleweight/welterweight
Khamzat Chimaev signed with the UFC in 2020 as a late replacement for Dusko Todorovic against John Phillips. Little did fight fans know that the Chechen MMA fighter would exceed expectations and announce himself as a new UFC superstar in the making. After defeating Phillips, 'Borz' moved down to welterweight in ten days and picked up another victory, this time against Rhys McKee.
Although currently unranked in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev is tipped to become the next big thing in either the middleweight or welterweight division or both. The 27-year-old is 9-0 in his MMA career, with a 100% finish rate. He set the record for the shortest time between UFC wins with two victories in ten days.
Chimaev's three UFC wins have come in a period of 66 days, which is also a promotion record. Although his last win came in September 2020, he has promised to fight at least four times in 2021. According to former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, 'Borz' could conquer UFC gold sometime in the future. At a press conference, Khabib said:
“In 77 (kg), I think Chimaev has a great chance. He is advancing good; I think he has a good chance (at becoming an UFC champion).”
#4 Jiri Prochazka - UFC light heavyweight
Jiri Prochazka is one of the most promising newcomers in the UFC. The box office gold has gone 2-0 in a little less than a year with the MMA promotion. The 28-year-old light heavyweight is an immensely experienced MMA fighter with 25 knockout wins on his resume and just three losses. In a matter of only two fights, Prochazka has climbed up to second spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.
'Denisa' is a bit of an oddball and one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. Having trained in Muay-Thai from a young age, he is a vicious striker, and is perhaps the scariest opponent to have in the division.
Jiri Prochazka is the inaugural light heavyweight champion at Rizin FF and GCF. He is also one of the most experienced fighters under 30 with 32 fights (28-3-1) on his resume. Although he has fought only twice in the UFC, the Czech knockout artist doesn't have many obstacles ahead of him en route a title fight.
Watch Jiri Prochazka's interview with RT Sport here:
#3 Islam Makhachev - UFC lightweight
Islam Makhachev is the next big thing in the UFC lightweight division. Having trained with Khabib Nurmagomedov since childhood and under the tutelage of Khabib's father Abdulmanap, Makhachev is often called the next Khabib. Makhachev is 20-1 in his MMA career, and is considered one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC lightweight division.
Although the Russian hasn't hit 30 yet, he is dominating his competition left, right, and center. Islam Makhachev has 12 finishes in his career (five in the UFC). With his most recent win against Thiago Moises, Makhachev jumped up four spots to go fifth in the UFC lightweight division.
According to AKA coach Javier Mendez, who has trained Khabib Nurmagomedov and is currently coaching Makhachev, the 29-year-old is even better in some aspects than 'The Eagle'. Rightly so, he is feared by many top-tier fighters in his division, whom Makhachev has publicly called out on several occasions.
He has one of the best takedown stats in the UFC lightweight division, and is also the least-hit fighter amongst the current crop of fighters. The fact that he is under 30 speaks volumes about the early bloomer Makhachev is.
#2 Max Holloway - UFC featherweight
Max Holloway is an MMA veteran and a former UFC featherweight champion. He has faced some of the toughest fighters in the UFC, including Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor and Charles Oliveira. He was just 20 when he signed with the UFC in 2012, and although he has had an incredible MMA journey, he is yet to hit 30.
Holloway holds several records in the UFC that are not easy to emulate even for senior fighters in the promotion. He holds the record for the most fights (22), most wins (17) and most KO/TKO wins (8) in UFC featherweight history, among other achievements. He also has the records for the most significant strikes attempted (+744) and landed (+445) in a single fight in UFC history.
Due to the aforementioned achievements and many more that would need another page to list, Max Holloway is considered one of the best fighters across all age groups. The fact that he is still under 30 makes him that much more awesome.
#1 Brandon Moreno - UFC flyweight champion
Brandon Moreno is an assassin with a baby face, which is why his nickname 'Assassin Baby' is aptly given. The Mexican MMA fighter greets his friends and opponents the same way, with one of the warmest smiles one has seen. However, the UFC flyweight champion is a different person inside the octagon.
A Muay-Thai practitioner and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black-belt holder, Moreno, has come a long way to sit atop the UFC flyweight throne. Following consecutive losses in 2017 and 2018, he was cut from the UFC. However, winning the LFA flyweight championship on his debut in 2019 helped him return to the UFC and prove why he is the best in the division.
Brandon Moreno started his MMA career in 2011 when he was just 17 . After picking up a record of 19-5-2 in ten years, including 14 stoppage wins, he has established himself as one of the best MMA fighters and the reigning UFC flyweight champion at the age of 27.
