Sherdog’s Top 10: Rising Stars, 2014 First Edition

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6. Justin Gaethje (12-0)

When UFC President Dana White signed Robbie Lawler to the Ultimate Fighting Championship all the way back in 2002, he called the acquisition “a Christmas present for myself,” as the power-punching welterweight was an ideal match for the knockout-loving promoter’s conception of perfection in combat sports. One wonders whether White has ever caught sight of the violent stylings of Colorado’s Gaethje, whose thunderous punches send his opponents flying like something out of a 1960s Batman episode, complete with over-the-top sound effects.

A NCAA Division I All-American in wrestling at the University of Northern Colorado, Gaethje combines incredible physical gifts and durability with a cleverly crafted game, courtesy of underrated coach Trevor Wittman. Although he can put in excellent work from the outside with his devastating low kicks, Gaethje really shines at close range, where he mixes knees, elbows and uppercuts in a vicious witch’s brew of concussion-inducing violence. That dirty boxing game meshes perfectly with his wrestling base, which places a heavy emphasis on the front headlock and crowd-pleasing, high-amplitude takedowns.

This is not to say Gaethje is without weakness -- he gets hit a bit too much and might struggle if forced to fight from the outside for extended periods of time -- but he has only been fighting professionally for three years, and, at only 25, he still has a great deal of upside and room to grow as a fighter. The World Series of Fighting’s current lightweight champion, he still has three fights left on his contract with the organization, but even if he reaches the end of that deal, he will still be in his prime when he eventually reaches the highest level of competition. For now, we can enjoy his bone-crushing tendencies in the WSOF, with his next outing coming against Melvin Guillard on Nov. 15.

Number 5 » The southpaw has demonstrated consistent growth in every area of his game since we first saw him on “The Ultimate Fighter,” and he boasts incredible physical tools. If he continues to improve, his charisma and connection to the growing Latin American market the UFC is currently trying to tap could make him a huge star.