Tag: Rankings/List

The Beaten Path: 5 MMA Prospects to Watch in December

With the world starting to wind down for the various end-of-year holidays, there is not a ton of MMA prospecting to be had here in December.
But “not a ton” does not mean “none.” Ponder that. And in that spirit, we note that there are “some” fight…

With the world starting to wind down for the various end-of-year holidays, there is not a ton of MMA prospecting to be had here in December.

But “not a ton” does not mean “none.” Ponder that. And in that spirit, we note that there are “some” fights on the docket for the final page on the Gregorian calendar. Furthermore, we here at The Beaten Path—Bleacher Report’s awesome series highlighting the top prospects in MMA—have once again ferreted out the up-and-coming fighters with whom savvy fight fans should familiarize themselves.

And in so doing, we are making this a December, truly, to remember. Fighters are listed in no particular order, and no UFC fighters are eligible. Here we go.

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UFC Rankings: Good Calls and Bad Calls Following UFC 181

It’s been a long and winding road for Robbie Lawler, but he reached the top of the welterweight division with a narrow decision victory over Johny Hendricks at UFC 181 on Saturday.
Lawler wasn’t dominant, but he did more damage and defended 12 takedown…

It’s been a long and winding road for Robbie Lawler, but he reached the top of the welterweight division with a narrow decision victory over Johny Hendricks at UFC 181 on Saturday.

Lawler wasn’t dominant, but he did more damage and defended 12 takedown attempts. Hendricks fell short on two scorecards, but his five takedowns resulted in most MMA media members believing he should have retained the 170-pound championship, according to MMADecisions.com.

While the decision could have gone either way, Lawler again proved he’s one of the best in the world. Was his performance enough to earn him a spot in the pound-for-pound UFC rankings?

Here are the latest official UFC rankings, via UFC.com, which are voted on by several MMA media members.

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Ben Saunders and the 5 Biggest Cult Favorites in MMA Right Now

Becoming a star and gaining a following isn’t easy in mixed martial arts, and it isn’t always based on pure skill.  If skill was the only requirement to get fans to love you, people would be running into arenas during Demetrious Johnson’s fights i…

Becoming a star and gaining a following isn’t easy in mixed martial arts, and it isn’t always based on pure skill.  If skill was the only requirement to get fans to love you, people would be running into arenas during Demetrious Johnson’s fights instead of out.  

Certain fighters, though, have the ability to earn the hearts and minds of the MMA masses and attract a cult-like following.  The phrase “Don’t be scared, homie” is almost a cliche at this point, ever since Nick Diaz uttered the famous words in the EliteXC cage/Strikeforce cage.  

Impromptu nicknames, catchphrases and other famous moments in time set a fighter apart in the minds of MMA fans, and once a guy has earned the fandom of the diehards, it’s hard to lose it.  

Chris Weidman emphatically put away Anderson Silva twice, and people still thought they were both flukes. Sometimes, fighters can establish themselves as so over with fans that nothing can stop their momentum.  

Conor McGregor has had the fastest rise in UFC history next to Brock Lesnar, and a lot of it is due to his rabid Irish fanbase.  He has proven himself to be a legitimate contender, but his fans preceded him.

Let us take a look at the five fighters with the biggest cult followings in mixed martial arts.  

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The Best Under-the-Radar UFC Fights for the Rest of 2014

Believe it or not, there are still three UFC events left in 2014.
As we draw closer to a promotional onslaught of title matches and stacked pay-per-view cards in the new year, we’re left with a handful of meaningful fights over the next few weeks.
Betw…

Believe it or not, there are still three UFC events left in 2014.

As we draw closer to a promotional onslaught of title matches and stacked pay-per-view cards in the new year, we’re left with a handful of meaningful fights over the next few weeks.

Between The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, UFC on Fox 13 and UFC Fight Night 58, fans still have a chance to see some of the organization’s biggest names in action.

From the return of Junior Dos Santos and Nate Diaz to Lyoto Machida and the crowning of the first-ever UFC women’s strawweight champion, 2014 is sure to end with a bang.

But aside from the obvious matchups that peak our curiosity, which under-the-radar fights have the potential to steal the show?

Look no further. This is going to be a great end to the year.

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Biggest Questions Facing the UFC’s Top 15 Pound-for-Pound Fighters

Being known as a pound-for-pound standout is high praise in today’s mixed martial arts.
For as competitive and unpredictable as the landscape truly is, it takes a certain type of athlete to rise to the top and remain potent, especially in the UFC.
Surr…

Being known as a pound-for-pound standout is high praise in today’s mixed martial arts.

For as competitive and unpredictable as the landscape truly is, it takes a certain type of athlete to rise to the top and remain potent, especially in the UFC.

Surrounded by former champions, young contenders and vengeful veterans, the 15 fighters making up the UFC’s pound-for-pound clique are met with adversity around every corner.

It’s up to them to drive through the fog, claw toward supremacy and maintain their promotional billing.

Here are the biggest questions facing each one of these UFC elites as we saddle up for the new year.

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Hendricks, Lawler and the 7 Heaviest Hitters in MMA Right Now

Power punching spawns from a blend of the right genetic makeup, proper mechanics and countless hours of grueling work.
Sluggers like Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler are prime examples of these three key elements coming together to create a perfect st…

Power punching spawns from a blend of the right genetic makeup, proper mechanics and countless hours of grueling work.

Sluggers like Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler are prime examples of these three key elements coming together to create a perfect storm—one that captivates fans each time it occurs in the Octagon.

On Saturday, Hendricks and Lawler, two of the heaviest hitters in the sport, will put their extraordinary power-punching abilities on display in a rematch for the welterweight strap in the main event of UFC 181.

But Hendricks and Lawler aren’t the only two fighters who have made the most of their heavy hands.

Here’s a deeper look at the hardest hitters in MMA today.

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