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So much goes into a “breakout season” in mixed martial arts.
One could argue, more so than in any other sport. A breakout season in MMA requires skill and preparation, but it also involves timing, health, luck and maybe a viral moment here and there. If you want to ‘breakout’ in any other sport, you can do so strictly based on performance. In MMA, you can have your most successful year and not show up on any ‘breakout’ lists depending on other factors.
Ahead of 2023, ESPN identified one athlete in each of UFC’s 12 weight classes as a potential breakout candidate. An agent of chaos. A person of intrigue who could have the right combination of ability and opportunity to shake up a division and catapult their career. These are people the sport might find itself talking about all year long.
We will go in order of our 2022 ESPN UFC weight class power rankings in listing out the breakout fighters.
Who? If it takes you a moment to recognize the name, that’s because Dariush has perfected the art of flying under the radar. He doesn’t run his mouth to get attention and is not flashy when fighting. But one thing he does is win — as in, eight in a row. The last two of those victories came against perennial contender Tony Ferguson and, last October, rising prospect Mateusz Gamrot.
That latter win happened at a UFC event headlined by a fight for the then-vacant lightweight title featuring Islam Makhachev, who at the time was lower than Dariush in many legit rankings. Makhachev proved his worth that night, no question, and will defend his new belt next month in a superfight with featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. But next should be Dariush, if only the radar picks up on his presence. — Wagenheim
He’s not the 135-pounder…
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