15 MMA Fighters Who Are Ready to Explode onto the Scene

The sport of mixed martial arts has quickly developed into the world's fastest growing sport.

And, as we've seen, a major reason for this success is mainly because of the entertainment and excitement the sport provides.

The sport of mixed martial arts is one of the most unpredictable sports in the world, as nothing is ever guaranteed.

Over the years, we've seen some of the greatest fights of all time, champions fall, and of course, fighters explode onto the scene.

While these specific fighters have been recognized as exceptional, they are about to take their skill sets to a whole new level.

So, the following slides display 15 mixed martial artists who are about to explode onto the scene.

Let's take a look.

Rory MacDonald

Since entering the sport of mixed martial arts in October 2005, Rory MacDonald has quickly established himself as one of the best up-and-coming welterweights in the world.

MacDonald currently holds a record of 12-1 as he's defeated opponents in Nate Diaz, Mike Guymon and Mike Pyle.

MacDonald has also won three of his four fights since entering the UFC and is certainly about to explode onto the scene.

Michael McDonald

UFC fans across the globe were skeptical to just how good Michael McDonald truly was before he entered UFC 139 in San Jose, Calif.

McDonald proved his critics wrong in a spectacular knockout victory over Alex Soto which earned him Knockout of the Night.

McDonald has now won all three of his fights since entering the UFC and stands 14-1.

Chris Weidman

Chris Weidman has recently had a minor explosion onto the scene with his impressive submission victory over Tom Lawlor as UFC 139.

Many believe Weidman got stripped of Submission of the Night as he connected on an electrifying D'Arce Choke just two minutes into Round 1.

Weidman has never lost in his mixed martial arts career and continues to move up the middleweight rankings.

Dustin Poirier

Since entering the sport of mixed martial arts just a little over two years ago, Dustin Poirier has quickly established himself as a legitimate contender in the featherweight division.

Poirier has been perfect since joining the UFC, posting a 3-0 record, including the biggest win of his career over Pablo Garza at UFC on FOX.

Poirier has an 11-1 career record and is destined to explode onto the scene in the near future.

Renan Barao

There aren't many fighters who post a career record of 27-1(1) and go unnoticed.

However, Renan Barao is an exception to that rule, as he's been nearly perfect since losing the first fight of his mixed martial arts career.

Barao is quickly moving towards a bantamweight title fight after a submission victory over Brad Pickett at UFC 138.

Donald Cerrone

If Donald Cerrone isn't the most underrated fighter in mixed martial arts today, then it's hard to say who is.

"The Cowboy" has been nearly unstoppable as he's won his last six fights, including a spectacular submission victory over Dennis Siver at UFC 137.

Not only is Cerrone underrated but he's one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC today and certainly about to explode.

Alexander Gustafsson

Alexander Gustafsson suffered the first loss of his mixed martial arts career when he took on Phil Davis at UFC 112.

However, Gustafsson hasn't lost since, as he's been as impressive as any fighter in the UFC in his victories over Cyrille Diabaté and Matt Hamill.

While it may not be Gustafsson's time just yet, he is certainly on the verge of going off.

Anthony Pettis

Despite losing to Clay Guida at the Ultimate Fighter Season 13 Finale, Anthony Pettis has quickly become known as a legitimate force in the lightweight division.

Pettis has been the only man to defeat Ben Henderson in the last four years.

Also, Pettis has won five of his last six fights and will look to explode when he squares off with Joe Lauzon at UFC 144 in February 2012.

Erik Koch

Erik Koch has suffered just one loss in his mixed martial arts career, which came to the hands of Chad Mendes at WEC 47.

Since then, Koch has joined the UFC and has posted a perfect 2-0 record which included a huge knockout over Raphael Assunção at UFC 128.

It's just a matter of time until Koch explodes.

Joe Lauzon

While Joe Lauzon has been fighting in the sport of mixed martial arts since February 2004, he is just now coming to his full potential.

Lauzon displayed what exactly his potential is in a 47-second submission victory over Melvin Guillard at UFC 136.

Lauzon will take on Jeremy Stephens at UFC 144 with a chance to explode in Saitama, Japan.

Jake Ellenberger

Jake Ellenberger entered the UFC in September 2009 and lost his very first fight to Carlos Condit via split decision.

However, Ellenberger quickly rebounded, as he he's won five consecutive fights, including the biggest win of his career over Jake Shields at UFC Fight Night in September of 2011.

Many fans believe this is just the beginning of Ellenberger's winning ways as he is about to explode onto the scene.

Phil Davis

While many fans already recognize Phil Davis as one of the best light heavyweights in the UFC today, he's yet to reach his full potential.

Not only has Davis never lost a fight in his mixed martial arts career, but he's never even been taken down.

Davis is yet to explode on the scene fully, but fans can expect to see an even better Davis when 2012 rolls around.

Travis Browne

Travis Browne is one of the few fighters who remain undefeated in their mixed martial arts careers, yet few fans know of him.

Browne currently fights in the heavyweight division of the UFC and has posted a 3-0-1 record since joining the organization.

Browne will get the opportunity to show the world what he's all about as he'll be squaring off with tougher competition in the near future.

Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson is currently on the most impressive stretch of his mixed martial arts career as he's coming off recent victories over Dan Hardy and Charlie Brenneman.

Johnson was recently announced as making the transition to the middleweight division to take on highly dangerous Vitor Belfort.

Johnson has the chance to make some more noise on Jan. 14, 2012 at UFC 142.

Edson Barboza

While many UFC fans across the globe are beginning to refer to Barboza as overrated, he's yet to lose a fight in his mixed martial arts career.

Since joining the UFC in November 2010, Barboza has won all three of his fights, despite sneaking out a close decision against Ross Pearson at UFC 134.

Barboza will surely be exploding onto the scene in the upcoming future.

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