6 UFC Fighters Who Will Sneak Up on People in 2015
Lying low in mixed martial arts isn't always a bad thing.
It allows a fighter to regroup from an injury, patch holes in his game or build upon a win streak to claim a worthy divisional stake.
But it's important to know when to escape obscurity and unveil the final product. If not, the sport's unforgiving quicksand can trap a fighter forever.
In other words, timing is all it's cracked up to be. The inevitable surprise must be well-calculated and widely noticed to make the struggle worth it.
Here are six UFC fighters who will sneak up on people in 2015 and arrive on the scene in fashion.
Godofredo Pepey
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Don't look now, but Godofredo Pepey has recorded two straight first-round submissions.
The former The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil standout has always possessed the well-rounded skill set to excel at this level, but he needed to shy away from slugfests that ultimately left him dazed and confused.
The 27-year-old has finally started to show signs of maturation by demonstrating the patience, confidence and adaptation needed to compete at any discipline.
Pepey currently resides in one of the deepest divisions in the sport, but a recent victory over Andre Fili should allow him to fight toward the Top 10 by the end of 2015.
Joseph Duffy
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Ireland's Joseph Duffy is a finisher by nature.
With an exceptional grappling background combined with an innate ability to implement dangerous offensive flurries, the 27-year-old is going to be a problem for any lightweight moving forward.
Now while his claim to fame is that he's the last guy to defeat Conor McGregor, Duffy's skill set suggests he's worth more than just a cheap moniker.
Instead, the evolving 155-pounder should be able to utilize his top-level submission skills to climb the division and make his case for the Top 15 by year's end.
Patrick Cummins
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Aside from his loss to former light heavyweight top contender Daniel Cormier, power wrestler Patrick Cummins has been a machine at 205 pounds.
Now while he has only finished one of his last three fights (all victories), the 34-year-old has a chance to impress when he takes on light heavyweight standout Ovince Saint Preux later this month at UFC on Fox 15.
It's scary to think that Cummins has positioned himself with such an opportunity considering he's only five years into his professional MMA career.
But with elite athleticism and evolving technique, "Durkin" should continue to shed off DC's beatdown and wiggle his way through the slimmest division known to man.
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Beneil Dariush
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One Irish Dragon injury later and Beneil Dariush is getting the opportunity that careers are built on.
But just because the ultra-suave grappling expert is filling in for Paul Felder against Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 15 doesn't mean his destiny is certain.
Just like any rising contender who is vying for divisional acceptance, the 25-year-old Iranian must impress against the gritty Miller and make his peers fear him.
It should be one of the better ground spectacles the lightweight division has to offer in 2015 and a chance for Dariush to separate from the pack.
Julianna Pena
5 of 6It's difficult to stand out in a division dictated by the most famous female athlete in the world today.
Heck, it's difficult to stand out in a division jam-packed with elite contenders like Miesha Tate, Bethe Correia, Cat Zingano, Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
That's probably why many people have forgotten about The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 winner Julianna Pena after The Venezuelan Vixen suffered an unthinkable right knee injury during training early last year.
But after spending over a year on the sidelines, the 25-year-old bantamweight is ready to take to the cage and re-establish her worth this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 63.
A victory could mean a spot in the division's Top 10 and a push she needs to finally make a title run.
Aljamain Sterling
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UFC middleweight kingpin Chris Weidman is not the only undefeated UFC fighter hailing from Ray Longo and Matt Serra's dojo.
As a matter of fact, bantamweight standout Aljamain Sterling also commands said notoriety by compiling a 2-0 Octagon record since making his debut early last year.
With some of the best all-around skills at 135 pounds, which is something Weidman incorporates at 185, Sterling is on the fast track to a divisional title run.
He'll have his chance to prove he can hang with the top dogs when he steps inside of the cage with No. 6-ranked Takeya Mizugaki at UFC on Fox 15.
For more UFC news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell
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