Issue 170
November -0001
The World MMA Awards Breakthrough Fighter of the Year has been given to no fewer than five future UFC gold winners. It makes for an impressive list.
Brock Lesnar
Credit: Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC
After defeating Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title in 2008, Lesnar went on to unify the strap and get revenge over rival Frank Mir at UFC 100 in a huge 2009.
Jon Jones x3 UFC Champion:
Credit: Josh Hedges / Zuffa LLC
After winning the award in 2010, Jones has become one of the all-time greats having won the UFC light heavyweight title three times and defended it on eight occasions.
Donald Cerrone UFC Title Contender:
Credit: Mike Roach / Zuffa LLC
After winning four of his first five fights in the UFC in 2011, Cerrone has since competed for UFC gold once and become one of the fans’ most beloved fighters.
Chris Weidman UFC Champion:
Credit: Mike Roach / Zuffa LLC
Wins over Maia and Mark Munoz landed Weidman the 2012 award and a year later, he won the UFC middleweight title after KO-ing the fearsome Anderson Silva.
Travis Browne:
Credit: Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC
Back in 2013, an incredible run of three knockout victories set Browne up for a title eliminator bout against future UFC champion Fabricio Werdum.
Kelvin Gastelum TUF Champion:
Credit: Mike Roach / Zuffa LLC
Three straight wins saw Gastelum take the 2014 award. With his weight issues seemingly behind him, a shot at the UFC middleweight belt might not be far off.
Holly Holm – UFC Champion:
Credit: Mike Roach / Zuffa LLC
After victories over Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau, Holm won the UFC women’s bantamweight title and a place in MMA history after knocking out Ronda Rousey at UFC 193.
Cody Garbrandt UFC Champion:
Credit: Mike Roach / Zuffa LLC
Four straight wins in 2016 for Garbrandt ended with him defeating Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 for his maiden UFC title. Just 26, the best may still be yet to come.
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