1. Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler
The action hero for which the sport of mixed martial arts has been waiting, Gaethje has built a perfect 18-0 record and gained a legion of fans through his guns-blazing style. The former World Series of Fighting champion made his long-awaited Octagon debut in “The Ultimate Fighter 25” Finale main event on July 7, when he survived a harrowing encounter with Michael Johnson before dispatching him with punches and knees in the second round. Gaethje, 29, can perhaps stake his claim as a legitimate title contender in his next outing, as he confronts former champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 on Dec. 2 in Detroit. Chandler, meanwhile, has established an eerily similar reputation in Bellator, showing a willingness to go out on his shield in one remarkable performance after another. Ironically, it was his two-fight series with Alvarez that put him on the map.
Sherdog’s Top 10 series is voted upon by a panel of Sherdog.com staff members and contributors: Jordan Breen, Tristen Critchfield, Mike Fridley, Brian Knapp, TJ De Santis, Eric Stinton, Jesse Denis, Todd Martin, Josh Stillman, Nick Grinups, Jake Hughes and Anthony Walker.