TRENDING NAMES IN COMBAT SPORTS

Islam Makhachev

Born in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, Islam Makhachev started his martial arts journey at age seven with taekwondo, later transitioning to sanda and then MMA under the mentorship of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Makhachev’s defining moment came with his victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022, earning the UFC lightweight title. His fighting style is heavily centered around exceptional grappling, utilizing sambo and wrestling techniques, alongside effective striking. Makhachev overcame a significant health setback early in his career when a heart condition prevented him from competing in the 2014 World Combat Sambo Championship, but he came back to win gold in 2016. With a total estimated UFC payout of $6 million, Makhachev has signed endorsement deals with major brands such as Reebok, Sanabul, and Gorilla Energy, along with EFC Gym. His most significant recent rivalry has been with Charles Oliveira, who he defeated for the title at UFC 280. Oliveira was on a dominant win streak and considered a dangerous submission artist, but Makhachev proved too much in their fight, submitting Oliveira in the second round. Oliveira immediately expressed interest in a rematch, but Makhachev has shown interest in facing other contenders, including Justin Gaethje and Beneil Dariush, before a potential rematch.

Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall, from Atherton, Greater Manchester, England, began his martial arts journey influenced by his father, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor. He transitioned to MMA in 2014, quickly making a name for himself in the heavyweight division. Aspinall’s rise peaked with his impressive win over Sergey Spivak at UFC London 2022, showcasing his agility and striking. He combines wrestling and striking to outmaneuver his opponents, a rarity in the heavyweight class. Aspinall suffered a knee injury in 2022 during a scheduled fight with Curtis Blaydes, which ended in just 15 seconds due to the injury. This setback led to a period of recovery, but after returning, Aspinall expressed a desire to rematch Blaydes, given the unfinished business. His estimated UFC payout stands at around $2.5 million, with sponsorships from Gymshark, Venom Gear, and Monster Energy. The rivalry with Blaydes is still ongoing, as Blaydes’ wrestling game could potentially be a challenge for Aspinall’s striking. Aspinall is also being closely linked with Sergey Pavlovich and Ciryl Gane as top contenders in the heavyweight division.

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira, born in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, began as a kickboxer before transitioning to MMA in 2015. His rise in MMA culminated in his knockout victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 in November 2022, capturing the UFC middleweight title. Pereira’s fighting style is known for his elite striking, particularly his powerful left hook. Despite his kickboxing success, transitioning to MMA involved improving his grappling skills. Pereira earned an estimated $4 million in UFC payouts, representing brands like Under Armour, UFC Venom Gear, and Bang Energy Drinks. His biggest rivalry has been with Israel Adesanya, whom he defeated in both kickboxing and MMA. Their first UFC fight at UFC 281 was a thrilling encounter, where Pereira claimed the middleweight belt with a fifth-round TKO. Adesanya sought redemption, and they faced off again in April 2023 at UFC 287, where Pereira defended his title with a second-round knockout. Despite their rivalry seemingly reaching a conclusion, Adesanya is still a major threat, and fans are hoping for a third showdown between the two. Pereira’s other rival in the middleweight division includes Jared Cannonier, who remains a title challenger.

Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev, originally from Chechnya, Russia, moved to Sweden at a young age, where he began wrestling before transitioning to MMA. His explosive rise began with his dominant debut, winning his UFC debut in just 17 seconds against Gerald Meerschaert. Chimaev’s fighting style is focused on relentless grappling, mixed with powerful striking. In 2021, he suffered from severe COVID-19 complications, which led to a temporary retirement, but he made a successful comeback and has remained undefeated. His total estimated UFC payout is around $3.5 million, boosted by bonuses and his rapid rise. Chimaev has endorsement deals with BoohooMAN, Monster Energy, and Nordic Strength. His recent rivalry with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 proved to be a test of his skills, as Burns pushed him into a three-round battle, forcing Chimaev to showcase his resilience and adaptability. Chimaev won the fight by unanimous decision, but the match revealed weaknesses in his striking game. Another rivalry of note was his fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 279, where Chimaev easily dominated Diaz but controversially missed weight, leading to mixed reactions. Moving forward, his most anticipated rivalry is with Kamaru Usman, a former welterweight champion who could challenge Chimaev’s unbeaten streak.

Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria, born in Germany to Georgian parents, moved to Spain and began his MMA career in 2015. Known for his aggressive fighting style, Topuria has quickly become one of the top contenders in the featherweight division. His most significant victory was over Max Holloway at UFC 308, which positioned him as a top contender for the featherweight title. Topuria blends powerful striking with effective grappling, making him a well-rounded fighter. Despite challenges such as balancing training between Spain and the U.S., he has maintained an undefeated record in the UFC. His total estimated UFC payout is around $1.2 million, with partnerships including Gymshark, UFC Venom Gear, and Santiveri Nutrition. Topuria’s biggest rivalry is currently with Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion. Volkanovski has been dominant in the division, and Topuria sees him as the key opponent for his path to a title shot. The rivalry has sparked immense anticipation, with both fighters eager for a showdown. Other top contenders in the division include Yair Rodríguez, who also presents a tough challenge for Topuria.

These rivalries reflect the fierce competition in the UFC and show how each fighter is rising to the occasion, facing top-level contenders while solidifying their legacies in the sport.