![]() Topuria was the only fighter other than Yadong to receive a first-place vote this year. He's the full package and could be in for a big year in 2022. Training out of Team Alpha Male, Yadong has shown knockout power, grappling, cardio, composure - you name it. China's Yadong turned 24 the day this was published and already holds a sparkling 7-1-1 record in the UFC, not to mention a No. 1 fighter under the age of 25 has been on this list before - and depending on when next year's rankings are published, he could be on it again. Okamoto and Wagenheim provide breakdowns of the fighters. 3, to rise to the top, right above a fighter who barely made last year's top 20 ( Ilia Topuria) and one who did not appear in the 2020 rankings at all ( Casey O'Neill).ĮSPN's nine-person panel - Kel Dansby, Andrew Davis, Tim Fiorvanti, Jake Lebowitz, Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Phil Murphy, Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim - selected fighters based on both achievement and potential. That made room for Song Yadong, last year's No. Much has changed.Įdmen Shahbazyan, who was ranked second last year, is riding a three-fight losing streak, so while he still appears in this top 25, he has fallen a few notches. ![]() Just four of last year's top 10 return, along with seven others who were ranked in the top 25 in 2020. But Crute turned 25 in March and is no longer eligible for these rankings. 1-ranked fighter on last year's list was Australian light heavyweight Jimmy Crute, who faces Jamahal Hill on Saturday's Rob Font- Jose Aldo UFC undercard. ESPN's third annual ranking of the top 25 MMA fighters under the age of 25 features prospects who could define the sport's future as well as some who are making the-future-is-now statements. Others build slowly and steadily from a young age. Some fighters burst onto the scene, establishing themselves with out-of-nowhere achievements and confidence beyond their years.
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