5 rising stars in the UFC
The UFC is always searching for its next big star. As things stand, there is still no mixed martial artist with greater starpower than Conor McGregor. However, other fighters have emerged as reliable PPV attractions while the Irishman nurses a brutal leg injury that has kept him out of active competition.
Khamzat Chimaev is a leading figure in the new generation of stars. After the undefeated Chechen's wins over Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland, he has firmly established himself as a must-see attraction. Similarly, Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev have led the charge in the lightweight division.
While there are established stars, there is also a range of rising stars that the UFC hopes will one day help carry the promotion. 2022 has been a defining year for many of Dana White's fighters. This list, however, looks at the rising stars that have defined this year for the UFC.
#5. Tom Aspinall, UFC heavyweight
Tom Aspinall is a freakish athlete by heavyweight standards. He is a large and powerful fighter with a supernatural degree of speed and quickness. He is lightfooted and possesses lightning-fast punches. Thus, he has proven to be an overwhelmingly athletic force for his foes to stop.
Tom Aspinall is the real deal! He submits Alexander Volkov in the first.
#UFCLondon https://t.co/MXhYy4TVeo
His crisp boxing and elite-level grappling render him a threat in every facet of MMA. With very few English MMA fighters performing at a high level, Tom Aspinall has emerged as a potential future champion in the eyes of many. This year, he headlined two Fight Night cards to test the waters of fan interest in him.
He passed with flying colors as he was always welcomed with a raucous reception. Alas, a freak knee injury at UFC Fight Night 208 interrupted his bout against Curtis Blaydes within 15 seconds. While he's currently nursing an injury, his return remains hotly anticipated.
#4. Tai Tuivasa, UFC heavyweight
Up until recently, Tai Tuivasa didn't command the level of fan interest that he now does. At one point, 'Bam Bam' was an undefeated fighter who many saw as Mark Hunt's protege. Unfortunately, he was the victim of a three-fight losing streak at one point.
A new star breaks out. Tai Tuivasa take a bow #UFC271 shoeys for everyone!! 😂 https://t.co/v6xgDppwGH
However, after his fortunes changed, his meme-worthy post-fight celebration earned enough attention that fans tuned in to his fights more and more. A pair of consecutive KO wins garnered even more attention, especially after he flattened Greg Hardy, who remains a much-reviled figure.
While he seemed to be on the cusp of a title fight, 'Bam Bam' lost an eliminator bout against Ciryl Gane before suffering a second consecutive KO loss to Sergei Pavlovich.
#3. Julianna Peña, UFC women's bantamweight
Up until recently, very few people showed a significant level of interest in Julianna Peña. She's always been a serviceable presence in the women's bantamweight division. Her boisterous attitude should have drawn initial attention, but her inconsistent performances inside the octagon turned many fans away.
UFC stars Valentina Shevchenko & Julianna Pena win big at the World MMA Awards 2022 wmmarankings.com/ufc-stars-vale… https://t.co/TUEqI2RiUI
At UFC 269, however, she shocked the world and forced everyone to pay attention. She mounted one of the most memorable comebacks of 2021 to capture the women's bantamweight title from Amanda Nunes. Furthermore, her post-fight promo directly paralleled Nate Diaz's infamous UFC 196 post-fight interview.
Suddenly, fans across the world cared about 'The Venezuelan Vixen'. By the time of her rematch against Amanda Nunes at UFC 277, she was a rising star. She was the only bantamweight other than Nunes herself that fans cared about. While she lost their second bout, her gutsy performance earned her a wave of praise.
#2. Molly McCann, UFC women's flyweight
Molly McCann, much like her close friend Paddy Pimblett, is a polarizing figure in MMA. At first, she wasn't a fighter who drew significant interest from the fans. Her promotional debut was unsuccessful, and the three-fight win streak she embarked on following her initial loss was a series of standard decision wins.
The two losses she suffered afterward didn't help her cause. She wasn't exceptionally skilled nor did she have an undefeated record. However, her close association with the ever-charismatic Paddy Pimblett changed everything after 'The Baddy' signed with the UFC.
MOLLY MCCANN ELBOW KNOCKOUT.
(via @ufc)
https://t.co/xrlMJjeubl
She stayed by his side and became known to fans due to always being seen alongside him. Furthermore, a pair of back-to-back spinning elbow KOs in 2022 caused her popularity to explode in a way that's uncommon in the women's flyweight division.
Her loud and extroverted presentation every time the camera panned towards her earned her even more attention every time she was spotted cageside as a spectator. While she recently suffered a first-round submission loss to Erin Blanchfield, her status as a rising star remains intact.
#1. Paddy Pimblett, UFC lightweight
Paddy Pimblett is someone the promotion hopes will one day take the torch from Conor McGregor. He has an undeniable level of charisma. People find him humorous and his unique aesthetic makes him stand out easily from his peers. Furthermore, he is a former Cage Warriors champion like 'The Notorious' was.
Prior to Leon Edwards capturing championship gold later this year, 'The Baddy' was a fighter many hoped would bring the first UFC title back to England since the days of Michael Bisping. In only his second and third fight with the promotion, 'The Baddy's' rising starpower was apparent.
The Baddy rocks The o2 once again!😤
Paddy Pimblett goes back-to-back in front of the hometown crowd with another scintillating finish! #UFCLondon https://t.co/Rt3UIeXXoh
He was welcomed into London's O2 arena like a star. The deafening cheers from the crowd made it clear that wherever he goes, Pimblett will have an audience. His exciting fighting style and high-finishing rate make for thrilling bouts.
While he recently made headlines for a controversial win over Jared Gordon, he is the preeminent rising star of 2022.