UFC Vegas 30: 5 names to look out for

#4 Julia Avila - UFC women's bantamweight

UFC Fight Night: Avila v Mazany

Not many UFC fighters have made a name for themselves in a more impactful way than Julia Avila did at UFC Vegas 2. Known as the 'Raging Panda', Avila turned into more of a 'Raging Rhyno' against Gina Mazany. The first two fights on the card had already seen consecutive first-round knockouts. Avila wasn't about to break that streak.

The fight was over in 22 seconds. After landing a clean knee to the body and a right hand up top, Avila went hell for leather and rushed 'Danger'. A flurry of punches against the cage led to the stoppage. It was her second UFC win in two walks to the octagon and extended her winning streak in MMA to four.

A decision defeat to Sijara Eubanks has stalled her rise, but Avila's potential, power, speed and pure aggressive style makes her one to watch this weekend. Given she lost last time out, perhaps we'll hear an even bigger celebratory scream if she finds a finish against Julija Stoliarenko...

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#3 Kennedy Nzechukwu - UFC light heavyweight

UFC 259: Elliott v Espinosa

Kennedy Nzechukwu is one of the UFC's most promsiing light heavyweight prospects. While the top portion of the division has perhaps been lacking since the departure of long-time champ Jon Jones, the prospects and rising contenders have been putting on performances as entertaining as ever. Our last sight of 'African Savage' was no exception.

On such a stacked PPV card, a bout was always going to need to be special for its fighters to leave UFC 259 with the Fight of the Night bonus. What Nzechukwu and Carlos Ulberg put on was more than enough to pip the main card stars to the $50,000. After a back-and-forth slog fest, the Nigerian knocked the New Zealander out with a vicious second-round right hook.

The win saw Nzechukwu record back-to-back UFC wins and add yet another KO to his record. The 29-year-old's only defeat in his nine-fight career came at the hands of Paul Craig on his UFC debut, who, after becoming the first man to defeat Jamahal Hill as well, seems to be making a habit of handing future stars their first L's.

Since then, however, Nzechukwu has looked impressive, with his knockout win earlier this year firmly establishing his name in the 205-pound division.

Nzechukwu will look to secure a similarly brutal finish when he enters the octagon with Danilo Marques this weekend. The Brazilian is unbeaten in two fights since signing with the UFC. Victories over Khadis Ibragimov and Mike Rodriguez extended his current MMA winning streak to four. He'll be no easy opponent for Nzechukwu, that's for sure.

But with six knockouts on his record already, 'African Savage' is certainly one of the most exciting names to watch at UFC Vegas 30.