Ronda Rousey
Arguably one of the biggest stars fighting in the UFC today, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey has been an unstoppable force in women’s MMA since turning pro in 2011. Rousey holds the distinction of being the UFC’s first Women’s Bantamweight champion, and also stands as the first American woman to claim an Olympic medal in Judo. Known for tapping out opponents with her signature armbar, Rousey recently showcased another side of her game, earning a TKO victory over fellow Olympian, Sara McMann, in just 66 seconds.
Benson Henderson
Ever since making his way over from the WEC, Benson “Smooth” Henderson has been a staple at the top of the UFC’s Lightweight division. After initially taking the belt from Frankie Edgar in his fourth Octagon appearance, Henderson defended the strap three times against the likes of Edgar, Nate Diaz and Gilbert Melendez before finally losing it to rival Anthony Pettis in 2013. Already back to his winning ways with a victory over Josh Thomson, look for Bendo to work his way back to another title shot before long.
Robbie Lawler
With a skill-set divided down the middle between striking and takedowns, it’s little wonder that 18 of “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler’s 22 career wins have come by way of knockout. Back in the UFC after a stint in Strikeforce, Lawler immediately began working his way back up the Welterweight ladder and into the division’s top tier with three consecutive victories, including wins over Josh Koscheck and Rory MacDonald. The three fight win-streak earned him a bout with Johny Hendricks for the vacated Welterweight title.
Gilbert Melendez
Strikeforce’s longtime Lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez joined the UFC in April of 2013 with a bout against Benson Henderson for the UFC title. Despite snapping a seven fight win-streak with a close split decision loss to Bendo, Melendez remains one of the top fighters to beat in the division. An arsenal of sharp striking skills has earned Melendez 11 career knockouts since turning pro in 2002. Look for Melendez to coach the 20th season of the Ultimate Fighter, opposite Anthony Pettis before the two battle for the belt.
Cain Velasquez
Rapidly making a case for himself as the most dominant Heavyweight to ever step inside the Octagon, “The Baddest Man on the Planet”, Cain Velasquez doesn’t look to be letting go of his title anytime soon. An outstanding wrestler who can also throw leather with best in the world, Velasquez sets himself apart from his opponents thanks to a seemingly bottomless gas tank that allows him to push the pace and overwhelm the opposition far into the championship rounds. Since reclaiming the belt from Junior Dos Santos and avenging the only loss of his career at the end of 2012, Velasquez has been unstoppable in each of his ensuing appearances.
Rory MacDonald
At only 24 years of age, Rory “Ares” MacDonald is already a veteran of eight UFC bouts. Seeming to improve his all-around skill set every time he steps into the Octagon, the hard-hitting Canadian has finished 12 of his 15 victories and continues to ascend the Welterweight ladder. Training at Montreal’s famed Tristar Gym alongside Georges St-Pierre has contributed to MacDonald taking his game to the next level.
Demian Maia
Considered by many fans and fighters alike to be the best pure grappler fighting in the UFC today, Demian Maia has been submitting his competition in the Octagon since 2007. A true MMA veteran and consummate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master, Maia put together an impressive five-fight winning streak upon entering the UFC and most recently a three-fight winning streak since dropping down to Welterweight in July of 2012.
Mark Hunt
Boasting some of the heaviest hands in the UFC’s hardest-hitting division, Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt has made a career of putting on spectacular fights against the planet’s top Heavyweight talent. After logging highlight reel knockouts of Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve, Hunt most recently proved again that he’s both one of the most durable and dangerous fighters in the game, dropping jaws around the world with an unforgettable five-round performance against Bigfoot Silva.
Brad Pickett
Since making his UFC debut in November of 2011, Brad “One Punch” Pickett has consistently proven to fans that win or lose they can expect fireworks whenever he steps into the Octagon. In his six UFC appearances to date, all as a Bantamweight, Pickett has earned five post-fight awards – four for Fight of the Night and one for Knockout of the Night. After putting together a 3-3 record in the UFC, Pickett is slated to make his Flyweight debut with the organization in early 2014.
Scott Jorgensen
After going 7-3 over the course of his stint in the WEC, Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen made his UFC debut in 2011, KOing Ken Stone on The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. Possessing a well-rounded game and a knack for pushing the pace inside the Octagon, Jorgensen has gone toe-to-toe with some of best fighters on the planet including Urijah Faber, Dominick Cruz and Renan Barao. Following his sixth UFC bout, Jorgensen dropped down a weight class, making the move from Bantamweight to Flyweight.
Cub Swanson
A veteran of 25 professional MMA bouts in a career spanning back to 2004, Cub Swanson has been on a roll since the start of 2012. Unorthodox, unpredictable and rapidly establishing himself as a true contender in the Featherweight division, Swanson is currently riding a five-fight win-streak that saw his post wins over Top 10 divisional-talent, Dustin Poirier and Dennis Siver. Four of Swanson’s past five wins have come by way of knockout.
