UFC 264: 5 names to look out for

4) Ilia Topuria - UFC featherweight

Not many fighters on the UFC roster under the age of 25 are as promising as Ilia Topuria. The leading man behind the prospect unit of the UFC's Georgian invasion, Topuria boasts a perfect 10-0 MMA record and is unbeaten in two walks to the octagon.

For his debut, 'El Matador' met fellow prospect Youssef Zalal. The Moroccan was riding a four-fight winning streak and had never tasted defeat in the UFC. Topuria changed that with an impressive performance. Topuria secured his first finish in the promotion in his most recent outing when he brutally slept Damon Jackson in the very first round of their clash at UFC Vegas 16.

DONE IN ONE! 💥Ilia Topuria finishes Damon Jackson in the first round! 👊#UFCVegas16 pic.twitter.com/ww3uMYVBiz

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) December 6, 2020

Topuria, who is part-Spanish and part-Georgian, will look to continue his rise up the featherweight division when he faces the dangerous Ryan Hall at UFC 264 this weekend. 'The Wizard' has won eight fights in a row, including victories over Artem Lobov and B.J. Penn, but hasn't fought in two years.

With nine finishes in his unbeaten 10-fight career, an exciting prospect like Topuria is always one to keep an eye on, especially when they have the chance to truly show their skills against a top opponent like Hall. Prelim fights don't get much better than this.

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3) Tai Tuivasa - UFC heavyweight

If there was ever a combination I'm excited to see again, it's a Tai Tuivasa fight and a full crowd. The Australian has devastating hands and it usually doesn't take him long to unleash them onto his opponents. Ask Stefan Struve, Harry Hunsucker, Cyril Asker, Rashad Coulter and just the six other names that 'Bam Bam' has dispatched of in the very first round.

Tuivasa will be looking to add Greg Hardy to that list this weekend. On the UFC 264 main card, the two behemoths will collide as they look to push for a place in the UFC's heavyweight rankings. Given how 'The Prince of War' crumbled under the pressure of Marcin Tybura's attack, Tuivasa will fancy his chances of finding a stoppage against the former American football defensive end.

Tuivasa is not only one to watch this weekend because of his devastating power, but if he secures the win, we're also likely to see the return of the infamous 'shoey' inside a packed T-Mobile Arena. Now who wouldn't want to see that?

Tai Tuivasa wasted no time! Secures the finish in under a minute! 💪#UFCVegas22 pic.twitter.com/7CNTvKWLuj

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) March 21, 2021