Top 5 UFC Prospects Poised For a Breakout in 2021
With 2020 all wrapped up on the UFC’s calendar, the 2021 year is what we have to look forward to next. Before we get deep into the year, I want to look at a few fighters that are poised to break out for the UFC in 2021. The only rule: the fighter cannot be top five in their division. So, we will do that now. Here are five fighters I think are poised for a great year in the New Year.
Top UFC prospects for 2021:
#5 – Kevin Holland
Kevin Holland had a breakout 2020, but that’s to the more hardcore fan. He went 5-0 this past year and already has a fight against Derek Brunson booked for next year. Since his loss to Brendan Allen in October 2019, Holland has thrived in the 2020 year and has really shown great improvement. He’s notched great wins over Anthony Hernandez, Joaquin Buckley, Darren Stewart, Charlie Ontiveros, and finally Jacare Souza. With the massive momentum built up, I expect to see Holland break out and become a certified contender in the middleweight division.
#4 – Magomed Ankalaev
My next on the list is Magomed Ankalaev. He has had all of his 2020 tied up by the Ion Cutelaba fights, one he should have moved past. With the fight being re-booked four times, it ate up a year where Ankalaev could really have made his name known. The reason I believe Ankalaev can really be a breakout star in 2021 is due to the division and his relative skill. Light heavyweight is very young, and the top is dominated by yesterday’s fighters. Even if Adesanya comes to the division, I really like Ankalaev’s chances against anyone else. Even against Izzy, he’s not particularly out of the conversation, although it is a tall glass to drink from. Look for Ankalaev to rise quickly up the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
#3 – Michel Pereira
Michel Pereira is the most interesting one on the list, and arguably has the most to prove. After losing two fights to Tristan Connelly and Diego Sanchez, Pereira was skating on thin ice. He then simply beat up Zelim Imadaev and put on a masterful performance against Khaos Williams. Pereira showed his flash and show is still there but he’s here to actually win fights now. Williams is an incredibly powerful fighter and Pereira had the wherewithal to stick to his gameplan and fight in a way he could win against Williams. I look for Pereira to start his climb up the rankings in 2021.
#2 – Khamzat Chimaev
This is a lot of people’s number one pick for 2021. It makes sense too, the UFC has seemingly strapped a rocket to this young prospect and has booked him against Leon Edwards twice. While that fight has fallen out again, I believe we will see Chimaev take a slower push and fight a top ten guy like Geoff Neal next. Chimaev might be the hottest prospect on the radar in terms of name recognition and to be honest, he’s backed it up. The UFC will push him, perhaps too fast, and I believe he will hit a brick wall. But, I’m here for the buildup in the mean time. That leads into the number one pick for who to watch out for next year…
#1 Prospect for 2021 – Cyril Gane
This one is the fighter I’m most excited for next year. Cyril Gane has been perfect since joining the UFC in August 2019. Four wins later, and he’s prime for a title shot with a win or two. His last win: a masterclass performance against former champion Junior Dos Santos. Beating a former champion is usually a sign that the UFC is preparing a fighter for a push to the top and that’s exactly what we will see with Gane in 2021. Gane has shown that he’s not a kickboxer either. He’s a complete MMA fighter. His first two wins in the UFC came by way of arm triangle and heel hook. Gane is poised to take the belt in 2021 too. If it be Stipe Miocic, Francis N’Gannou, or Jon Jones, I believe there are not many who will be able to stop Gane’s rise, those three included.
Who do you think the best prospects of 2021 will be? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
