23 fighters set to take 2023 by storm after bursting onto the scene in recent years

Alan DawsonJan 2, 2023, 22:03 IST

Jared Anderson.Photo by Getty Images

A wide range of prospect fighters, contenders, and champions set 2022 ablaze.
Athletes like Dmitry Bivol and Erin Blanchfield are well-poised to continue a hot streak next year.

Top Rank heavyweight boxer Jared Anderson is a legitimate threat already at age 23.

Top Rank heavyweight boxer Jared Anderson is a legitimate threat already aged 23.Photo by Getty Images

Alycia Baumgardner scored the biggest win of her career when she outclassed Mikaela Mayer.

Alycia Baumgardner is one of boxing's best fighters.Photo by Getty Images

Dmitri Bivol arguably had the best year out of all combat athletes in 2022 as he beat Canelo and Gilberto Ramirez in back-to-back bouts.

Dmitry Bivol wrecked Canelo Alvarez's world.Photo by Getty Images

Erin Blanchfield upset fast-rising ultimate fighter Molly McCann with a slick submission.

Erin Blanchfield is turning into a prospect killer.Photo by Getty Images

Ebanie Bridges is proving time and again that she has extraordinary toughness.

Ebanie Bridges is winning over even her harshest critics.Photo by Getty Images

Khamzat Chimaev remains one of the scariest and most intimidating fighters on the planet.

Khamzat Chimaev is a bad man inside that Octagon.Photo by Getty Images

Keyshawn Davis is one of the finest prospects in all combat sports.

Keyshawn Davis looks like he's heading for the top.Photo by Getty Images

Vanessa Demopoulos left a stripping job to focus on MMA and, in 2022, it's been paying dividends.

Vanessa Demopoulos is a serial winner.Photo by Getty Images

Floyd Diaz is only 19 years old and already finishing adult men with brutal shots to the body.

Floyd Diaz has an abundance of skill for a teenage athlete.Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Manon Fiorot has two big scalps on her 2022 resume.

The Frenchwoman is rising in the UFC's rankings.Photo by Getty Images

Sebastian Fundora prevailed in an instant classic against Erickson Lubin.

Sebastian Fundora is a legitimate threat in boxing.Photo by Esther Lin / Showtime

Tiger Johnson has won all but one of his pro boxing bouts in 2022.

Tiger Johnson is another blue-chip prospect at Top Rank boxing.Photo by Getty Images

Bo Nickal could be an American version of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Bo Nickal was a standout in the summer's Contender Series promotion.Photo by Getty Images

Skye Nicolson made her debut in 2022 and has many ingredients to become a star.

Skye Nicolson is one of boxing's best prospects.Photo by Getty Images

Jake Paul and Logan Paul continue to level up in boxing, the exhibition scene, and in WWE.

You may not like it, but accept it.Photo by Getty Images

Alex Pereira only made his UFC debut last year but is already the champion.

Alex Pereira is the UFC's middleweight champion.Photo by Getty Images

Paddy Pimblett is a polarizing personality in MMA.

It doesn't matter if you like him or hate him. You at least know about him.Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Robeisy Ramirez was a highly accomplished Olympian who is now taking the pro game by storm.

Robeisy Ramirez.Photo by Getty Images

Jesse Rodriguez has been in the fight game for a while but has enjoyed a breakout year in 2022.

Jesse Rodriguez.Photo by Getty Images

Raul Rosas Jr. is a senior in high school but already dominating fully grown men in the UFC.

Raul Rosas Jr. looked good for a teenage fighter.Photo by Getty Images

Cameron Saaiman is another Contender Series graduate who looks set to excel in the UFC.

Dana White called Cameron Saaiman 'The Future.'Photo by Getty Images

Shakur Stevenson looks destined to become the No.1 fighter in all boxing.

Shakur Stevenson says he's on a superstar trajectory in combat sports.Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank / Getty Images

Callum Walsh has an incredible amount of power-brokers surrounding him.

Callum Walsh may be a future combat sports superstar.Photo by UFC Fight Pass

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