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9. Marlon Moraes
Record: 14-4-1
Organization: World Series of Fighting

World Series of Fighting bantamweight titleholder Moraes is an object lesson in the long and winding path athletes sometimes take to reach elite status. He is the consummate late bloomer, a former muay Thai fighter who did not truly hit his stride until more than five years into his professional career, as he came out of nowhere to defeat former WEC champion Miguel Torres at the first WSOF event.

Since then, Moraes has been one of the homegrown linchpins of WSOF, fighting seven times -- tied for the most appearances with Justin Gaethje -- under the promotion’s banner. Following the victory over Torres, Moraes knocked out Carson Beebe and Tyson Nam and cruised to a three-round win over Brandon Hempleman. He won the inaugural WSOF title in a brutalizing decision victory over Josh Rettinghouse, followed that with a catchweight win over Cody Bollinger and finally defended his title against former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor Josh Hill.

Moraes has gotten better in each and every fight. Formerly a one-dimensional striker, he has shown off improved wrestling and grappling, to boot, transforming himself into a threat in each and every phase. He recently re-signed with the World Series of Fighting and should be with the promotion for the foreseeable future.

Number 8 » The former lightweight champion got off to the hottest of hot starts in his career, running off a 12-0 mark in his first four years as a professional.