Entering 2012 on the heels of a second-round submission loss to Ricardo Lamas in November, Swanson got himself a hat trick this year, knocking out George Roop, Ross Pearson and Charles Oliveira. Most longtime WEC fans probably remember Jose Aldo's devastating eight-second flying knee knockout of Swanson in June 2009. Swanson is eager for an eventual rematch. If he keeps putting top contenders away, he'll earn a crack at the title. In fact, the 29-year-old Greg Jackson student could earn a title shot quickly with an impressive showing against Dennis Siver in February.

Most observers would glance at Brown's record and dismiss him as a mediocre fighter. But Brown's impressive year warrants attention as he earned four victories over Chris Cope, Stephen Thompson, Luis Ramos and Mike Swick. At the age of 31, Brown isn't the most technical striker or the best grappler. His heart and durability are unquestionable, however, and Brown certainly deserves more main card opportunities in 2013.

Despite being a part of the UFC roster since 2009, Struve suffered three knockout losses against Junior dos Santos, Roy Nelson and Travis Browne. This year, however, Struve has finally come into his own. After putting mass on his enormous 7-foot frame, Struve finished Dave Herman, Lavar Johnson and Stipe Miocic to raise his stock in the heavyweight division. The 24-year-old Dutchman needs a victory over a top-10 contender to make the move up from prospect. Struve battles Mark Hunt in an entertaining pairing this March in Japan.

Weidman stepped up on short notice in January, accepting the toughest test of his career against former title challenger Demian Maia. Weidman utilized improved striking to control the fight and win a decision. But Weidman's biggest victory came in July when he utterly decimated highly touted contender Mark Munoz. The undefeated 28-year-old is an obvious threat at 185 pounds and Anderson Silva's camp has already turned down a proposed bout with the surging contender. A few more wins next year should catapult the New Yorker to a crack at the gold.

The Tristar Gym export has been the talk of the welterweight division at the age of 23. MacDonald had little trouble dispatching British slugger Che Mills at UFC 145 in April. However, his one-sided beatdown of the legendary B.J. Penn in December has skyrocketed MacDonald's stock. The Canadian faces his lone conqueror, Carlos Condit, in a rematch at UFC 158 this March in Montreal.

Another fighter who was often praised for his potential is the Swedish sensation Gustafsson. At the age of 25, Gustafsson had a career-defining year, earning a pair of decisions over top Brazilian contenders Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Thiago Silva. "The Mauler" is inching his way closer to an eventual shot at light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

We knew Barao was good. We just didn't know how good. The 25-year-old Nova Uniao product, a teammate of featherweight champion Jose Aldo, kicked off 2012 with a dominant unanimous decision over Scott Jorgensen at UFC 143 in February. With Dominick Cruz suffering a severe knee injury, Barao earned an interim bantamweight title shot against former WEC poster boy Urijah Faber at UFC 149. The well-rounded Brazilian outworked and punished Faber from start to finish. With a more convincing victory over Faber than we saw from the champion Cruz, Barao has made his case for being the man to beat at 135 pounds. Barao is expected to take on Michael McDonald in an interim title bout in February. Win or lose, Barao should be a force in the division for years to come.