'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The UFC houses some of the most skilled mixed martial artists in the world. These fighters have come from different parts of the globe to be the absolute best in the UFC when it comes to hurting their opponents. But the UFC has a large pool of talent, with athletes bringing their very own distinct fighting styles into the octagon.
A fighter can be undefeated or a champion, but that doesn't always equate to them being entertaining to watch. Some fighters resort to calculative striking, stopping themselves from going all-in, while keeping an eye on the clock. Some choose to grapple their way to victory, driving their opponents to the floor and slithering their way around their necks, arms, and other joints.
However, some fighters are absolutely violent-machines. These athletes use maximum fire-power inside the octagon to bust up their opponents and come alive at the sight of blood. Watching these fighters go at it inside the octagon keeps UFC fans on the edge of their seats.
Here's a look at five of the most exciting fighters to watch in the UFC today.
#5. Jiri Prochazka - UFC light heavyweight
Jiri Prochazka is a new entrant in the UFC with only two fights under his belt. He made his promotional debut in 2020 and has quickly climbed up to become the #2-ranked fighter in UFC light heavyweight rankings. The Czech mixed martial artist has won both of his fights in the UFC via knockout, and is eventually going to be a big problem for champion Jan Blachowicz to deal with.
Prochazka is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC to watch today for several reasons. His wide karate stance and inclination to really hurt his opponents with flying knees and spinning elbows have made him an instant fan-favorite.
Nicknamed 'Denisa', which is a common name for girls in Czech Republic, Prochazka is one of the most scary opponents to have inside the octagon. He started his MMA career in 2012 and is a former and inaugural Rizin FF and Czech GCF light heavyweight champion.
Prochazka is 28-3-1 in his MMA career and is currently on a 12-fight winning streak. He is a true knockout artist, with 25 of his wins coming via KO or TKO. A handful of those have come from flying knees, head kicks, and as we saw in the case of Dominick Reyes, a spinning back elbow.
The only reason Jiri Prochazka is not further up this list is because he is a newcomer.
#4. Conor McGregor - UFC lightweight
Conor McGregor is 1-3 in his last four fights, which have come over a period of five years. He was handed the first knockout loss of his career at UFC 257 by Dustin Poirier. At UFC 264 he suffered a freak injury and another TKO to 'The Diamond'.
Although at the lowest point of his MMA career and written off by many UFC fans and MMA experts, McGregor is still one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the UFC today.
UFC fans don't need to be reminded of how the Irishman dominated the biggest MMA promotion in the world and became its first double-champ. Despite him getting stripped of both titles and suffering multiple losses in quick succession, Conor McGregor is still one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC to watch today.
The fashion in which he entered UFC 264 and landed a barrage of kicks on Dustin Poirier, even if it was short-lived, reminded fans of the superstar he is. Even with his leg broken, Conor McGregor was thrilling to watch. Instead of screaming in pain and humbling down, he was engaging in banter, selling a fourth fight with Poirier and fighting for a doctor's stoppage.
Not many fighters can boast of such confidence and determination to prove themselves.
#3. Israel Adesanya - UFC middleweight champion
Israel Adesanya is one of the craftiest fighters in the UFC. He instantly made a huge impact on his promotional debut. In his first fight in the UFC, 'The Last Stylebender' TKO'd Rob Wilkinson after hitting him with knees and punches. He sent out a warning to all UFC middleweights and achieved championship glory a year later.
He outstriked and outclassed one of the greatest of all time in Anderson Silva at UFC 234, and defeated Robert Whittaker in an absolutely dominating fashion to win UFC gold soon after. Adesanya is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC to watch because of his clever foot movement, his switch-stance style, and highly skilled kickboxing.
Prior to making his MMA debut, 'Izzy' was a decorated kickboxer who competed in multiple weight classes, collecting an impressive record of 75-5. He has also tried professional boxing and has a 5-1 record in the sport.
What makes Israel Adesanya even more interesting as a fighter is the influence of dancing into his fighting style. He likes to break dance, as is evident in many of his post-fight celebrations, and lives by the saying, "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance".
#2. Jorge Masvidal - UFC welterweight
Jorge Masvidal is one of the most skilled boxers in the UFC. He truly represents the street-fighting spirit inside the octagon. He is the holder of the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history, and is an MMA veteran with 50 fights on his resume. Nicknamed 'Gamebred', Masvidal started his mixed martial arts career with underground fight clubs run by Kimbo Slice.
He made his professional MMA debut in 2003 at the age of 18, and fought in several promotions like AFC, Strikeforce and Bellator. He signed with the UFC in 2013 and put on serious barnburners with legends like Donald Cerrone, Nate Diaz and Stephen Thompson.
It was because of his exciting appeal that Jorge Masvidal was given two title shots in a row against Kamaru Usman. He is 35-15 in his career with 16 knockout wins.
#1. Nate Diaz - UFC welterweight
Nate Diaz is one of the toughest fighters in the UFC. Inside the octagon, he lives by the phrase, "Kill or be killed." He doesn't believe that fighting is a business and treats each of his bouts as nothing less than a war. And in most cases, with the octagon floor painted in blood, it shows.
Nate Diaz does triathlons as a hobby, and as a result, is known for his inhuman cardio. His chin is one of the strongest not just in the UFC but perhaps across all MMA promotions. His fights against the likes of Conor McGregor and Leon Edwards can easily be termed all-time classics, with Diaz proving in each to be the most exciting fighter in the UFC today.
He has been termed the 'West Coast Zombie' by his rival Conor McGregor, who lauded Nate Diaz for being his toughest rival ever. At UFC 244 against Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz won hearts after refusing to back down despite getting busted open until he was stopped by the cageside doctor.
The Stockton native rocked welterweight contender Leon Edwards and almost pulled off an upset win at UFC 263. Despite getting thrashed for most of the fight, Diaz proved to be a threat even until the final second.
