Julian Marquez

Julian "The Cuban Missile Crisis" Marquez announced himself with one of the most memorable performances of his era: a fight he was losing badly before landing a flying knee and storming back to finish Sam Alvey, then capping it off with a Valentine's Day callout of Miley Cyrus that went viral.

That blend of finishing flair and outsized personality made him an instant fan favorite. The problem has been availability: injuries repeatedly interrupted his career and cost him chunks of his prime. When healthy, he's shown real knockout power and a knack for the viral moment.

A recent run of losses has clouded his future, but Marquez's appeal was never about the rankings. He fights to entertain, chases the highlight and brings a personality the middleweight division will miss whenever he's away.