Top 30 athletes under 30

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2015; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Ronda Rousey (red gloves) looks on prior to her fight against Bethe Correia (not pictured) during UFC 190 at HSBC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2015; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Ronda Rousey (red gloves) looks on prior to her fight against Bethe Correia (not pictured) during UFC 190 at HSBC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Ronda Rousey, UFC – 28 years old

Maybe none of you expected this — just like the Alex Morgan sighting earlier. But, if you did hope to see Ronda Rousey on this list, good for you.

The 28-year-old UFC fighter may be a total babe outside of the ring, but she’s legitimately deadly inside of it. Being 5-foot-7, 135 lbs doesn’t sound like a whole lot, but she fights bigger than she is.

In fact, out of all the athletes on this list, the case can be made for Rousey as the most dominate in her respective sport. Her current career record is 12-0. Three of those victories came via a knockout while the other nine came via submission.

Really, when you think about it, it’s either take an uppercut to the jaw and get a nice nap out of it, or be in the worst pain of your entire life for a few seconds before tapping out and accepting your shame in front of the whole world.

Rousey is that good, ladies and gentlemen. She’s made comments about it before, but she could probably take Floyd Mayweather in a UFC fight. And frankly, saying “probably” may not be giving enough credit to Rousey.

Rousey’s rise to fame has been meteoric, but it’s been well deserved. And, not for nothing, she’s turned into quite the celebrity during that time. So, not only is she arguably the most dominate athlete on this list, but she’s one of the most liked ones, too.

Next: No. 4 Kevin Durant