Anderson Silva, Chuck Liddell, Ronda Rousey and Tito Ortiz were once the face of MMA and the UFC. The legends of the Octagon once headlined the sport as it exploded in popularity over its first quarter century.
As UFC celebrates its 25th birthday next year, it has also come to a crossroads. Who is the next Rousey or Silva, to lead the UFC and become the face of MMA? ESPN's Brett Okamoto has potential candidates who may explode into the big time and dominate the sport.
Who do you think will become the next face of MMA? Vote now:
Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre are veteran fighters who will headline Saturday's boffo card at UFC 217. But the next face of MMA may also be featured on it.
Viewers will get a chance on Saturday to watch several of these fighters, including a highly anticipated matchup between T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt as well as perhaps the next women's star in Rose Namajuna, who can catapult there with an upset victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk. We won't know for sure on Saturday, but a big win could go a long way in determining the sport's next superstar.
-- John Silver