Thiago Santos

Thiago 'Marreta' Santos earned his Sledgehammer nickname honestly: the Brazilian carries fight-ending power in both his hands and his kicks, and at his peak he was one of the most feared knockout artists at light heavyweight. After moving up from middleweight, he went on a finishing tear that put him in line for a title shot.

That 2019 challenge against Jon Jones became the defining moment of his career - Santos blew out his knee mid-fight and still pushed the greatest of all time to a split decision, a performance that earned him enormous respect. Injuries and tough matchups slowed him afterward, but his danger was never in question.

For new fans, Santos is the kind of fighter who makes you sit up when he loads up: come-forward, aggressive, and always one shot away from a highlight-reel finish. His near-miss against Jones alone makes him essential viewing for anyone exploring the light heavyweight division's recent history.