The UFC 145 fight card features a much-anticipated light heavyweight championship bout between defending champion Jon Jones and Rashad Evans. Lost in the hype of that matchup is that one of the UFC’s top up-and-comers, Rory MacDonald, will serve as the event’s co-headliner in a matchup against Che Mills.
Much like the card’s headliner Jon Jones was just a little more than a year ago, Rory MacDonald is one of the sport’s brightest young prospects who is ready to make the leap to bonafide contender status.
MMA has seen its fair share of young fighters flash promise only to wilt when it was time to step up to the elite level of competition. Most recently, Phil Davis showed that he wasn’t quite ready for the best in his division when he lost a lopsided decision to Rashad Evans at UFC on Fox 2.
These are five up-and-comers ready to take the next step in competition and become contenders.