This list will be short but sweet. TJ Dillashaw (3-0) Dillashaw started the year with a forgettable decision over Mike Easton. Did anyone expect him to shred Renan Barao in his next bout, claiming TAM's first UFC title? Dillashaw followed it up with another fifth-round stoppage against late replacement Joe Soto. Quality of competition outside of Barao was borderline but his upset title win was really something. Donald Cerrone (4-0) Cerrone knocked-out Brazilian prospect Adriano Martins in January, submitted Edson Barboza in April, knocked-out Jim Miller in July, and dominated Eddie Alvarez in September. He earned a performance bonus in every bout. Pretty epic year for Cowboy. Fabricio Werdum (2-0) UFC (Interim) Heavyweight Champion, Fabricio Werdum. Well, who saw that coming? Werdum bested top contender Travis Browne in April earning him a shot at perpetually sidelined champion Cain Velasquez. That fight didn't happen so he slugged it out with Hunto last month instead. Werdum was hurt repeatedly in the fight but broke out a flying knee in the second round that eventually led to a TKO win. Hard to argue the 37-year old isn't peaking when he should be declining. Robbie Lawler (3-1) The year didn't start brightly for Lawler who had his first UFC title shot knocked down by Johny Hendricks in March. Lawler didn't take it hard and went on to win his next two fights, knocking out Jake Ellenberger in May and besting an overweight Matt Brown over five rounds in July. Lawler got his second chance at a title earlier this month and made good on it. No fighter has won a title after such a long UFC career and you can't say it isn't well earned. Neil Magny (5-0) Magny probably won't win this poll but he has five wins in the UFC this year, more than any other fighter, and was hoping to compete one more time before the year ran out. His competition has been middle of the road but he hasn't chosen his opponents himself, either. Hard to believe this guy got knocked out by Mike Ricci. Rory MacDonald (3-0) 2014 heralded the rise of the Red King. MacDonald earned two bonuses in three bouts against ranked welterweights, defeating Demian Maia, starching Tyron Woodley, and blasting out Tarec Saffiedine in February, June, and October. MacDonald now waits to see if he gets to rematch Robbie Lawler--this time with a lot more on the line.
