5 most underrated stand-up fighters in the UFC today

#2. Leon Edwards - UFC welterweight

Top-ranked UFC welterweight Leon 'Rocky' Edwards is another fighter similar to Arnold Allen. This is because he does not seem to be receiving the respect he deserves considering his body of work as of late.

Just as with Allen, this is down to Edwards' lack of stoppages. Edwards has created a game that leans heavily on clinch striking and wrestling pressure. However, fans would do well to remember that Edwards once held the record for the fastest KO in the UFC welterweight division. He knocked Seth Baczynski out in just eight seconds.

Eight seconds 😳Leon Edwards recorded one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history when he caught Seth Baczynski flush...Devastating left hand 💥#UFCSanAntonio pic.twitter.com/ObRTEx4kVU

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) July 18, 2019

During the early days of Edwards' UFC career, he was almost entirely dependent on his striking. However, he found himself on the losing side of several judges' decisions, after being outwrestled by savvy opposition. This prompted Edwards to change his style to be more well rounded.

While he may no longer be pulling off spectacular knockouts with any particular frequency anymore, he has a record of nine wins and one no contest in his last ten fights. Rest assured, though, that those striking skills are still there in Edwards' backpocket.

UFC Fight Night: Edwards v Muhammad

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#1. Islam Makhachev - UFC lightweight

Islam Makhachev is a man heralded as the successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov's legacy. The two men are close friends and regular training partners. Thus it stands to reason that many MMA fans believe Makhachev will replicate Nurmagomedov's dominant wrestling approach to MMA.

This is true to an extent. Makhachev is an excellent wrestler and sambo practitioner. However, where Khabib's strikings was utilized with the end goal of setting up a takedown, Makhachev is more than happy, and capable, of letting the fight play out on the feet.

UFC Fight Night: Makhachev v Moises

He is an excellent pressure fighter, and the threat of a potential takedown keeps his opponents constantly guessing. This is a side of Makhachev's game that we will likely see more frequently now that he has been catapulted into the top five of the lightweight division.

UFC 242 Khabib v Poirier