Mixed martial arts is a sport in a constant state of turnover. Fighters rise from obscurity, reach their peak and then fall off precipitously.
It's also a star-driven sport. No matter how invested fans might be in the UFC or Bellator brands, they really tune in to see fighters they know and care about. If 2015's pay-per-view rebound for the UFC proved anything, it's that: Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor sold to the public. Stardom is a real thing, and it matters.
As McGregor and Rousey rose to prominence, older stars have faded. Georges St-Pierre has retired, and Anderson Silva is long past his prime.
A new generation of young and exciting fighters is on the way to the top, though. In this piece, we'll take a look at the ten most promising up-and-comers. The only criterion is that the fighter in question cannot have headlined a pay-per-view show.
Let's dive in.
