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#2. Mateusz Gamrot - UFC lightweight
While Jan Blachowicz continues to put Polish MMA on the map with his reign as UFC light heavyweight champion, there's another Pole threatening to follow in his footsteps to UFC gold. Mateusz Gamrot boasts an impressive record and he's firmly arrived in the UFC. This weekend he gets his chance to make an impression against an established name in the UFC when he faces Jeremy Stephens on the UFC Vegas 31 main card.
In 19 professional MMA fights, 'Gamer' has 18 victories. The only blemish on his record came on his UFC debut against Guram Kutateladze, a decision which was controversial and largely criticized. Had he been awarded the win most felt he deserved, Gamrot would have a perfect 19-0 record. The 30-year-old was keen to make up for his disappointing first walk to the octagon when he faced Scott Holtzman at UFC Vegas 23. A convincing second-round knockout firmly got him back on track.
As a promising name who almost everyone has failed to crack when facing, Gamrot is certainly one to watch this weekend, especially given the name he's entering the octagon with. A win would see him rise further up the lightweight ladder and likely secure a ranked opponent next time out.
#1. Islam Makhachev - UFC lightweight
In the headlining fight of UFC Vegas 31, rising Dagestani brute Islam Makhachev will look to extend his winning streak to eight against #14-ranked Thiago Moises. Not many men are as highly tipped for title glory in the UFC as Makhachev.
In 20 professional fights, the 29-year-old has had his arm raised on 19 occasions. A seven-fight winning streak since the only blemish on his record in 2015 has seen Makhachev dominate the likes of Drew Dober, Davi Ramos, Arman Tsarukyan and Gleison Tibau. Under the tutelage of one of the greatest of all time in the form of Khabib Nurmagomedov, the Russian lightweight is as scary as ever.
After Max Holloway was forced out of the original main event with Yair Rodriguez, Makhachev has found himself with the chance to secure his first main event win in the UFC. Against Moises, who is riding a four-fight winning streak into the event, Makhachev will look to push closer to a title shot and secure a big name opponent in the months after.
