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SCRAPP! FIGHT MAGAZINE
January - 2015
39
Urijah Faber is about as good as it gets when it
comes to being a brand ambassador. He knows
how to talk to the press, he embraces his fans,
and he gives back more than he takes from the
sport. One of the most active fighters in the UFC,
he takes a decent event and turns it into a good
one. Regardless of who he is fighting, both ca-
sual and hardcore fans alike always want to see
Faber do his thing. The story line in 2015 is such
that if he keeps winning, he may end up in what
could be the biggest fight in bantamweight his-
tory. Current Champ T.J. Dillashaw trains out
of Faber’s gym, Team Alpha Male. Faber and
Dillashaw have both admitted in the right cir-
cumstances, they would fight each other. If that
happens, it will be one of the most compelling
storylines in MMA history.
You can’t say needle mover without Conor Mc-
Gregor coming to mind. With skills on the mic
and in the octagon, he may be the fastest rising
star in the history of the UFC in terms of popu-
larity. Often compared to Chael Sonnen in terms
of his ability to promote a fight, a closer com-
parison would be to Muhammad Ali. McGregor
most certainly hypes up a fight, but it’s real. He
isn’t spewing nonsensical jargon in the way that
Sonnen would. He is pointing out things he
feels are facts about his opponents with little
care for their feelings on the matter. McGregor’s
skills have not only made him a must watch
fighter, but also the face of a nation. The UFC
Fight Night in Dublin, Ireland was one of the
most exciting events in UFC history and it had
more to do with the level of excitement in the
crowd than the fighters in the cage. He has an
entire country and an entire culture behind him.
In 2015, it’s expected that he will face long time
featherweight champion Jose Aldo in a fight
that will generate big numbers in almost every
continent.
Jose Aldo lets his actions do the talking which
keeps him on the back end of this list, but he is
a needle mover nevertheless. He has occupied
the role of champion longer than any current
champion in the UFC and that creates must
watch fights regardless of what you think of
him. Fans of his will tune in to watch him pick
apart hyped contenders and others will tune
in just because they don’t want to miss it if he
loses. Quite possibly the most anticipated po-
tential fight in 2015 is a fight between Aldo and
McGregor. Featherweight is one of the most
talent-rich divisions in the sport, but Aldo has
beaten just about every one of the potential
contenders except the ever popular newcomer
Conor McGregor. After defeating Chad Mendes
Aldo said, “I think the court is now complete
here. I’m the King, Chad’s the Prince, and now
we have a Joker.” The Joker he was referring to
was McGregor.
#10 – Urijah Faber
#9 – Conor McGregor
#8- Jose Aldo