Rory MacDonald and MMA's New Prototypes
Every sport encounters evolution throughout its life.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise that mixed martial arts, in all its greatness and growth, falls under this spell as well.
But the evolution of the fastest growing sport in the world doesn't just stem from international marketing, strategic rule changes and monetary expenditures. More importantly, MMA's rapidly expanding nature manifests from the fighters.
The fighters ultimately enable the sport to grow. Whether it's by training multiple disciplines, exuding youthful excellence or challenging the laws of physics with natural gifts, fighters exponentially evolve into more equipped machines.
Here are the new prototypes of today's MMA, where athletic superiority, mental determination and precision reign supreme.
Conor McGregor
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Age: 25
Major discipline: Kickboxing
Signature skills: Physicality; raw power; unorthodox strikes
Claim to fame: Ireland's best
As one of the most physically gifted featherweights to grace the UFC roster, Conor McGregor has limitless potential as a 25-year-old prospect.
While his barbaric offensive approach may get him into trouble sooner or later, the Irishman's in-cage persistence, precision and tactical explosiveness set him apart from nearly every other divisional threat.
If he can continue to use excellent footwork—credited to a background in capoeira—and allow his powerful strikes to take over, he'll find his way to a title shot by the end of 2014.
Renan Barao
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Age: 26
Major discipline: Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Signature skills: Kicks; submissions; takedown defense; timing
Claim to fame: 21 straight victories
Arguably the most overlooked pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, Brazil's Renan Barao displays brilliance every time he steps inside the Octagon.
Fueled by an unprecedented knack for defending takedowns, the 26-year-old is at his best when his unorthodox strikes, pinpoint precision and sinister speed take over.
So while he may not be mentioned alongside the other greats of the sport, Barao is as well-rounded as UFC fighters come.
Ronda Rousey
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Age: 26
Major discipline: Judo
Signature skills: Armbar; athleticism; throws
Claim to fame: First UFC women's champion
Ronda Rousey is not the best striker by any stretch of the imagination. She often struggles to find her footing and sometimes looks uncomfortable.
However, does that matter when she has finished every fight by first-round armbar?
Her grappling skills, clinch game, submission prowess and conditioning are leaps and bounds above any other female warrior in the sport.
And the fact that she's only 26 years old and just learning how to strike makes her an easy candidate for this list.
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Demetrious Johnson
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Age: 27
Major discipline: Wrestling
Signature skills: Footwork; precision; speed; takedowns
Claim to fame: Fastest fighter on the planet
Not only does Demetrious Johnson possess elite athletic capability, but his quickness has been unseen before inside of a cage.
For "Mighty Mouse," who uses strong wrestling techniques to keep a fight standing, speed is everything.
He is able to weave his way in and out of angles, pepper opponents with strikes, avoid damage and maintain pressure in every round.
No other fighter in the world can do what he does.
Cain Velasquez
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Age: 31
Major discipline: Wrestling
Signature skills: Clinch work; endurance; takedowns
Claim to fame: Most knockout/TKO finishes in UFC heavyweight history
If there was ever a genetically perfected heavyweight created in some underground MMA lab in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, his name would be Cain Velasquez.
While his age doesn't stack up to other prototypes on this list, Velasquez arguably possesses the most durably constructed motor of all time.
The UFC champ is able to bludgeon the biggest men on the planet for as long as he wants. He can do it in the middle of the cage, in the clinch or on the ground.
He's seemingly an unbeatable heavyweight force destined to forge a legacy built around tactical training, consistent game-planning and polished physicality.
Anthony Pettis
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Age: 26
Major discipline: Taekwondo
Signature skills: Athleticism; body kicks; striking defense; timing
Claim to fame: "Showtime Kick"
When it comes down to defending your body in order to fuel offensive potency, nobody does it better than Anthony Pettis.
The bottom line is that the newly instated UFC lightweight king combines speed, athleticism, precision and skill so well that he's able to hit and not get hit back.
Throw in devastating body kicks, excellent cage control and evolving submissions, and you have one of the most prolific young champions the sport has ever seen.
Rory MacDonald
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Age: 24
Major discipline: Wrestling
Signature skills: Athleticism; grappling; offensive consistency; takedowns
Claim to fame: GSP 2.0
Consistently labeled the successor to Georges St-Pierre's UFC welterweight title reign, Canada's Rory MacDonald is the epitome of the new MMA prototype.
With superior athleticism at this disposal, MacDonald has evolved at a torrid pace. Whether it's his wrestling, striking, grappling, defense, precision, mental fortitude or chin, the 24-year-old has proved his worth in multiple ways.
As a 15-1 pro whose only defeat came at the hands of a last-second Carlos Condit TKO, "Ares" arguably has the brightest future out of any fighter on this list, even Jon Jones.
Jon Jones
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Age: 26
Major discipline: Wrestling
Signature skills: Athleticism; physicality; submissions; takedowns; unorthodox strikes
Claim to fame: Youngest champion in UFC history; 15 finishes in 19 career fights
At this very moment, Jon "Bones" Jones is the best fighter in the world. He has done it all at such a young age that his future sometimes seems uncertain.
But through all of his accomplishments in one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC, Jones' skill stills reigns supreme.
As an elite wrestler who prides himself in taking the fight where he wants to take it, he is always on control. That's dangerous for any opponent unable to withstand the champ's persistent elbows, front kicks, spinning backfists and deadly knees.
For now, Jones remains king.
For more UFC/MMA news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell
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