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3. Patricio Freire
Record: 24-2
Organization: Bellator MMA

Following his brutal comeback knockout win over Daniel Weichel on June 19, there can be no doubt that Freire is one of the most exciting, consistently violent fighters in all of MMA. He also happens to be one of the best, with a wealth of experience against outstanding competition and plus skills in every area. A devastating puncher, “Pitbull” backs that up with slick technical skills on the feet, excellent takedown defense and opportunistic submissions on the mat. He is, in short, the total package.

Freire’s resume speaks for itself. His only losses are split decisions to Pat Curran and Joe Warren, the former already avenged in clear fashion and the latter extremely contentious. He holds two wins over Daniel Straus, a brutal knockout of UFC veteran Diego Nunes, a finish of Wilson Reis and a vicious starching of former World Series of Fighting featherweight champion Georgi Karakhanyan. It is as strong a resume as any featherweight could possibly compile outside the UFC.

Now that he has defeated Weichel and reigns over Bellator’s featherweight division with an iron fist, the organization will have to find new opponents for him. A third fight with Straus looms, as does an eventual rematch with the injured Karakhanyan, but for now, “Pitbull” has cleared out the division.

Number 2 » He has come into his own in the last two years after bursting onto the scene as a can’t-miss prospect. Now training at American Top Team alongside a sterling list of training partners, he has rapidly developed into one of the most diverse and dangerous lightweights in the world. He can kick at range, exchange punches in the pocket, carve up opponents with knees and elbows in the clinch, wrestle like an All-American and grapple nicely on the mat. In addition to his skills and physicality, he is also a compelling and charismatic personality with real star power.