5. Anthony Pettis
Pettis has paired spectacular standup skills with a devastating submission game, earning his place in the pantheon of lightweight greats. The Roufusport star surfaced in World Extreme Cagefighting in 2009, posted a 5-1 record in the organization and capped his run with a unanimous decision over Benson Henderson at WEC 53 that gave us the “Showtime Kick” and brought with it the lightweight championship. Pettis transferred his talents to the Ultimate Fighting Championship a little less than six months later, bounced back from a split decision loss to Clay Guida in his Octagon debut and climbed the 155-pound ladder all the way to the top. Between Oct. 8, 2011 and Dec. 6, 2014, the Milwaukee native defeated Henderson, Jeremy Stephens, Joe Lauzon, Donald Cerrone and Gilbert Melendez. Only Stephens made it to the final bell against him. Pettis has fallen on hard times since, but age 30, the Duke Roufus protégé figures to have plenty left in the tank to make another run at a championship.
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