The wide array of talented and charismatic newcomers to the Octagon in 2018 proves that the UFC’s future in in good hands. And from New Zealand to Brazil, Canada to China, it’s an international crew making up this year’s top rookies list.
It’s often difficult to determine who sits in the top spot on lists like this. Nigerian-born New Zealander Israel Adesanya made it easy in 2018. A renowned kickboxer who raced out to an 11-0 pro MMA record, Adesanya arrived in the Octagon with high expectations, but he surpassed them with a quartet of wins over Rob Wilkinson, Marvin Vettori, Brad Tavares and Derek Brunson that took him rapidly from prospect to contender. Add in an exciting style and…
