In this three-part series, I will choose my top UFC men’s prospects for 2021. They all got the first taste of life in the UFC last year, so I will detail their background and explain why, in my opinion, they are the ones to keep your eyes on during 2021.
3rd: Jordan Leavitt
UFC record: 1-0 – KO. One Performance of the Night (POTN) bonus. Now 8-0 overall.
Age 25. American. Lightweight.
Jordan Leavitt came into 2020 having only had four professional bouts, all at featherweight, since his debut in 2017. However, by the end of the year, he had doubled his number of fights and made a winning UFC debut, all in the lightweight division.
Securing wins at 155lbs in 2020 in both the BCM Promotions and Legacy Fighting Alliance organizations led to a chance to compete for a UFC contract on the Contender Series in August. “The Monkey King” faced Luke Flores and secured a submission win due to an arm-triangle choke with 45 seconds of the first round remaining, ultimately being rewarded with a UFC contract.
THAT'S HOW YOU START A SEASON! 🤩
Jordan Leavitt gives us everything on #DWCS!
📺 Tune in now on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/oLgz2AZQ6A
— UFC (@ufc) August 5, 2020
Leavitt finally made his UFC debut in December as he was paired on a UFC Fight Night main card with Matt Wiman. Leavitt made a perfect start to life as a UFC fighter by securing a KO win by slam just 22 seconds into the bout, to claim a POTN bonus and the first KO/TKO win of his career.
SLAM KO!!! 💥
Jordan Leavitt gets it done within seconds of the fight starting! 😱#UFCVegas16 pic.twitter.com/dNqAqzS1Vx
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) December 6, 2020
Leavitt’s statistics now stand at one KO, five submissions, and two unanimous decision victories from his eight contests, and he has finished half of these in the opening round.
After his maiden UFC victory, Leavitt stated that he is going to become a father in February and hopes to step back into the octagon in either March or April. Having managed to stay busy during 2020 and leave a lasting impression on his debut in the UFC, Leavitt will be eager to face sterner opposition and continue his good form in the year ahead.
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