The 2017 is a tear of all-round growth for new generation of UFC fighters, with at least three new champions of young talented fighters, some of them are expected to be challenged champions in the near future.
Here’s a list of the 2017 UFC top-10 rising young stars:
- Volkan Oezdemir
Oezdemir’s nick name is “No Time”, he has just landed UFC not only with three wins, and respectively 28 seconds and 42 seconds KO ended the top-10 ranking of the top-10 fighters like Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa, and was given the chance to face light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 in January.
- Cynthia Calvillo
Calvillo, first leg surrender ended Amanda Cooper in March’s UFC debut. She was on the verge of death, again defeated Pearl Gonzalez in the UFC 2010 a month later, and entered the Main Event list in both PPV events.
In this July, Cavillo won by unanimous decision over Joanne Calderwood and the official rankings soared to No. 6. At the beginning of 2018, she faces former champion Carla Esparza and not to be surprised if the UFC grants her title.
- Justin Gaetjhe
Gaetjhe is also a WSOF champion and was selected to the best of the year Michael Johnson in the Octagon debut this July and after winning he told boxing fans will see him in the future such a scene. And five months later, people see his showdown with Eddie Alvarez.
- Marlon Moraes
Former WSOF ruling class champion chilled in his UFC debut and was defeated by disagreement by Raphael Assuncao, ending a 13-game winning streak. But then he gradually found his way through the impressive scene of defeating John Dodson and Aljamain Sterling.
- Zabit Magomedsharipov
His potential is still not fully released, the 26-year-old fighter was in the UFC’s two games as if in actual fight match to beat the opponent, whether it is from the boxing or leg law. In addition, Zabit’s ground technology is equally impressive. He eventually surrendered to end the two opponents.
- Nicco Montano
There is no doubt that Montagno is synonymous with dark horse this year. On the premise of being ranked No. 14 seed, he thwarted third seed Lauren Murphy and No. 2 seed Barb Honchak in a row, and defeated the final Top seed Roxanne Modafferi became the first woman flyweight champion in UFC history.
- Paulo Costa
Costa will probably be the next superstar in Brazil’s MMA, no matter which name you are more accustomed to calling him. The 26-year-old fighter finished all three of his opponents in the Octagon, including former middleweight Johny Hendricks.
- Eryk Anders
Anders, who kept the 10-for-10 record, beat middleweight veteran Rafal Natal in the Octagon debut this July, and in less than three minutes put KO in his bout. He once again won by unanimous decision over Markus Perez, and will be the next February against former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.
- Dominick Reyes
Reyes, another fighter from Rugby moved to MMA, he also managed to maintain his all-time record by ending the firth leg of this year’s UFC in the first leg, with 29 seconds remaining on the debut TKO over Joachim Christensen and gained the best performance bonus.
- Trevin Giles
The unbeaten Texas fighter had won two KO victories this year, ending James Bochnovic and Antonio Braga Neto respectively. Extremely high fighting IQ will help him to continue to climb up, not to his surprise in 2018 caused more attention.
Nicco Montano (left) becomes the first woman flyweight champion in UFC history. (Source:www.mmamad.com)
