Who are the top prospects in the UFC for 2021?

As the new year rolls in, it is time for us to take a look at the names that could find themselves in the spotlight in 2021. Some of the names on this list will already be familiar, but I am backing them to have a very successful 2021, potentially challenging for, or even winning a title. Let's begin!

First up we have the UFC's latest golden boy, the ruthless Khamzat Chimaev. Now, we are all aware of the shockwaves Chimaev sent through the UFC in the back half of 2020, his victories over John Phillips, Rhys McKee and Gerald Meerschaert the highlights of an unbelievable breakout year. Chimaev was booked to face Leon Edwards, twice, but the fight has fallen through due to the effects of the Coronavirus. The fight is yet to  have a date, but UFC President Dana White confirmed that it will be going ahead in 2021. If Chimaev is successful against Edwards, he is going to find himself likely within top 3 of the Welterweight division and will be knocking on the door of current champion Kamaru Usman. With Usman scheduled to take on Gilbert Burns, and the number 1 ranked Colby Covington touted to face Jorge Masvidal, a dominant victory for Chimaev could fast-track him to a title shot in mid to late 2021. It will be fascinating to see how the fight with Edwards plays out and where Chimaev will stand in the division after the contest. 

The next fighter on my list is Bantamweight fighter Casey Kenney. The 29-year old American is 5-1 in the UFC, holding an overall record of 16-2-1, with victories over the likes of Nathaniel Wood, Louis Smolka and outside of the UFC Brandon Royval, who currently sits at number 6 in the Flyweight division. Kenney is currently ranked outside the top 15 at Bantamweight, but is booked to face former champion Dominick Cruz in March at UFC 259. Victory here would see Kenney break into the top 15, potentially even the top 10. Bantamweight is a shark tank, just looking at the top 10 of the division there is a bevy of former title challengers and ruthless opposition, any of which would prove stiff competition for Kenney. Should he beat Cruz, I would like to see him take on someone like Pedro Munhoz, or perhaps even a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili. Kenney has shown a well rounded skill set, and 2021 could be a standout year for him, particularly if he is victorious at UFC 259.

Our next fighter to look out for in 2021, is the affable Aussie, Jimmy Crute. Currently sat at number 12 in the Light-Heavyweight division, Crute enjoyed a successful 2020, winning both of his fights via a finish. In February he submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk with a Kimura, and in October he obliterated Modestas Bukauskas on Fight Island. Now targeted to face Johnny Walker in March, Crute could find himself in the top 10 of the division by the summer, potentially even challenging for the top 5 towards the end of the year if results go his way. Crute's well-rounded abilities are credit to his coaches Sam Greco and Dan Kelly, and have drawn praise from the likes of Anthony Smith who has expressed a desire to face the Australian in the future. Crute's single loss came at the hands of Misha Cirkunov, via a Peruvian Neck Tie, but Crute has developed a more patient approach to his game now. My prediction for Crute in 2021 would be to beat Johnny Walker, and either be part of or on the cusp of the top 5 at Light-Heavyweight.

One of the standout female fighters for 2021 in my opinion is Amanda Ribas. The Brazilian is undefeated in the UFC, holding victories over the likes of Paige VanZant and Mackenzie Dern. Sitting at number 9 in the Strawweight division, Ribas could quite easily find herself challenging for the belt in 2021. She fights at the end of the month against Marina Rodriguez, and from there could go on to face the likes of Claudia Gadelha or Yan Xiaonan, who we will discuss further later on. Ribas has all the makings of a future star: infectious personality, a crowd friendly fight style and a determination to rise rapidly to the top of her division. Should she beat Rodriguez at UFC 257, the matchmakers look to rebook her against either Carla Esparza, granted she doesn't fight for the belt, or against Michelle Waterson, as Ribas was scheduled to face both but unfortunately the fights fell through. I hope to see Ribas succeed in 2021, as her star continues to shine.

Staying at Strawweight, my next fighter to watch in 2021 is China's Yan Xiaonan. Quietly working her way through the division to sit ranked at number 3, Xiaonan has beaten former title challenger Claudia Gadelha, as well as Angela Hill and Karolina Kowalkiewicz to cement herself as a legitimate title threat in 2021. The prospect of an all Chinese title fight between Xiaonan and current champion Zhang Weili would be a massive promotional tool for the UFC. Xiaonan has not lost since 2010, and Weili has not lost since her debut in 2013. It is highly likely that we see these two battle it out in 2021, with Xiaonan's next fight potentially being a number 1 contender bout. I for one would certainly be excited to see the promotional potential of this fight, and I hope we see it materialise in the new year.

Bryce Mitchell is a fighter that is primed for a huge 2021. The undefeated 26-year old thrilled fans around the world when he submitted Matt Sayles with only the second Twister in UFC history, and since then he has gone on to claim dominant victories over Charles Rosa, and a scrappy hard fought win against Andre Fili. The victory against Fili showed how well-rounded Mitchell has become, and his skills on the microphone have made him an instant fan favourite; his demands that Reebok make him some camo shorts impossible to forget! While Mitchell does not currently have a fight scheduled, there are some incredibly exciting matchups that could be made. My pick would be Ryan Hall, a fellow Jiu Jitsu black belt who's grappling is up there with the best in the promotion. We will have to wait and see what materialises for Mitchell but I am backing him to have an active and standout year in 2021.

One of my highlights of 2019 was hearing John Gooden yell the words 'He kicked his chin into orbit', following Magomed Ankalaev's destructive front kick KO over Dalcha Lungiambula. Hailing from Dagestan, home to one of the greatest of all time, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ankalaev has rapidly risen through the Light-Heavyweight ranks, and is one of my favourites to win a title in 2021. After a solitary loss coming via a Hail Mary submission in the final second of the fight against Paul Craig, the 28-year old Russian has gone on a 5-fight tear with 4 finishes, including two victories over Ion Cutelaba, the first of which was steeped in controversy. Ankalaev left no doubt in their rematch at UFC 254, dispatching Cutelaba with clinical striking finesse in the first round. Ankalaev is now booked to face Nikita Krylov in February, and victory would see him break into the top 10 of the division. From there the likes of Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic will look very enticing to Ankalaev, as he seeks to climb the ranks in 2021.

While he did not enjoy a particularly active 2020, our next fighter on the list is one that I am backing for a big year. Introducing Miguel 'Caramel Thunder' Baeza, an undefeated 10-0 Welterweight currently outside the top 15 in the UFC. Baeza, standing 6'2", is huge for the Welterweight division and his finishes show a fantastic versatility to his game. A knockout of veteran Matt Brown, a leg kick TKO against Hector Aldana, and an arm-triangle submission over Takashi Soto make Baeza one of the hottest prospects for 2021. An exciting, fan friendly style and one of the best nicknames in the sport, Baeza is one to watch, and I hope to see him breaking into the top 10 in 2021.

Since his arrival to the UFC's Bantamweight division in 2018, Raoni Barcelos has looked like one of the most exiting and intimidating fighters on the roster. His recent decision victory over Khalid Taha was an all-out war from bell to bell, and alongside finishes of Kurt Holobaugh and Carlos Huachin, Barcelos has shown he is is a legitimate threat at Bantamweight. He also holds a win over Said Nurmagomedov, who is himself another top prospect for 2021. He is now booked to face the number 10 ranked Raphael Assuncao at the end of February, and could find himself challenging for the title at the end of the year if results are favourable for the Brazilian. Here's to seeing Barcelos have a fantastic year and challenge at least for the top 5.

We drop down to the men's Flyweight division for our final fighter on this list. Nicknamed 'Raw Dawg', Brandon Royval treated fans to some explosive action in 2020. His fight against Kai Kara-France was a wild back and forth affair, particularly the first round, which was a contender for round of the year. Royval was dropped by a big overhand before recovering and landing a vicious spinning back elbow that dropped Kara-France, whilst threatening submissions from all angles. A setback loss to Brandon Moreno due to an injury is the only blemish on his UFC career and he is sure to come back stronger than ever in 2021. Already finding himself in the upper echelons of the division ranked number 6, Royval faces potential bouts with the likes of Alexandre Pantoja or former title challenger Alex Perez, both of which are sure to be entertaining fights. Without a doubt not a fighter to miss in 2021.

Some honourable mentions must be given to the likes of Michael Chandler (Lightweight), Merab Dvalishvili (Men's Bantamweight), Mackenzie Dern (Strawweight), Sodiq Yussuf (Men's Featherweight), Jiri Prochazka (Light-Heavyweight), Giga Chikadze (Men's Featherweight) and Ciryl Gane (Heavyweight), all of whom are on track for a big year of fights. The action gets back underway on January 16th with Holloway vs Kattar on Fight Island. You can find my preview for that fight on the website! See you soon!

~ James Eakin

Image Credits: [Centre] "Dana White confirms UFC's plans to re-book Leon Edwards vs Khamzat Chimaev after Fight Island showdown collapses again", Chisanga Malata. Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/13627171/dana-white-leon-edwards-khamzat-chimaev-ufc-news/ [Accessed Jan '21)