Many MMA fighters had a great year in 2024. We saw some claim their first title in a major promotion. And there were those who reclaimed titles they previously held. But no MMA fighter had a better 12-month stretch than UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Pereira reeled off three successful title defenses, including wins over two fighters who previously held the title, Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka. But even with such a great performance in 2024, Pereira isn’t projected to have the best year in 2025. So, who is the fighter who ended Islam Makhachev’s two-year run atop our MMA rank list?
Which fighters are poised to have the best 2025? We assembled our panel of MMA experts to determine who will thrive the most. This isn’t a ranking of the best fighters on the planet. Instead, it’s a projection of who will succeed over the next 12 months based on current performance, upcoming fights and other out-of-the-cage variables. Did your favorite fighter make the cut?
Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim and Dre Waters assess what might be in store in 2025 for 50 of the sport’s top fighters.
1. Tom Aspinall
Previous rank: No. 8
UFC interim heavyweight champion
MMA record: 15-3
The interim heavyweight champion entered 2024 with seven UFC wins via finish, and no opponent had lasted longer than seven minutes in the Octagon with him. Aspinall added another knockout win last year, avenging his only UFC loss by flattening Curtis Blaydes in 60 seconds. His unique combination of technique, speed, size and power has many fans considering the Brit as the future of the heavyweight division. And if he hits his target in 2025, there will be no “future” but rather a glorious present: Aspinall will have become one of the most dominant forces the division has ever seen. A seemingly obvious collision course with Jon Jones is on the docket. Should the fight with Jones come to fruition, Aspinall could become the first man to truly defeat “Bones” in a fight. And if he…
