Top MMA Fighters to Watch in 2025

Revealing the Future Stars

The MMA world is evolving at lightning speed, where established champions, rising stars, and breakout talents consistently shake up the landscape. Each year, we witness the fall of legends, the rise of new contenders, and the emergence of unexpected stars who capture our imaginations with their skill and heart. As we move into 2025, the octagon will be a battleground for those aiming to solidify their legacies, reclaim glory, or make their name known on the global stage. These fighters are poised to shape the future of mixed martial arts, and their performances in the coming year could define the sport's next era.

Passing Of The Guard

The Future Kings and Queens of the Octagon

Israel Adesanya

Shavkat Rakhmonov

Erin Blanchfield

Muhammad Mokaev

Tom Aspinall

Raul Rosas Jr

Tatiana Suarez

Luke Lessei

Dante Schiro

Garrett Carlson

Maycee Barber

Ilia Topuria

Amanda Ribas

Umar Nurmagomedov

Mackenzie Dern

1. Israel Adesanya: The Redemption Arc

A dynamic and charismatic former UFC Middleweight Champion, Adesanya is known for his exceptional striking, slick movement, and precision, making him one of the most dangerous fighters in MMA.

Division: Middleweight

• Veteran at a crossroads: Adesanya had setbacks. 2025 is his year to bounce back or fall further.

• Redefining his game: Rumored to be sharpening his ground skills to add more depth.

• Comeback story: Can he reclaim his crown? A defining match in 2025 could answer that.

Watch for his evolution. Redemption or end of an era?

2. Shavkat Rakhmonov: The Silent Assassin

A rising UFC welterweight contender from Kazakhstan, Rakhmonov is undefeated displaying a well-rounded skill set with dangerous striking and grappling that keeps his opponents guessing.

Division: Welterweight

• Unbeaten and deadly: With an undefeated record, Rakhmonov finishes fights everywhere on the feet or mat.

• No hype, just skill: Quietly devastating, he’s a looming threat in the welterweight division.

• Title shot looming: 2025 could be his breakthrough year as he climbs to the top.

Cold, calculating, and ready to dominate.

3. Erin Blanchfield: The Future Queen of Flyweight

A young UFC flyweight prospect, Blanchfield has quickly gained recognition for her relentless grappling and submission skills, positioning herself as a future title contender in the division.

Division: Flyweight

• On the rise: Blanchfield grappling is elite, and her striking improves with each fight.

• Young, fearless, hungry: She’s climbing the ranks and could challenge for the title in 2025.

• What sets her apart: Calm under pressure, and she’s getting better at mixing things up.

Watch out for her title shot. The future of women’s Mixed Martial Arts?

4. Muhammad Mokaev: The Flyweight Phenom

Known for his incredible wrestling and relentless pace, Mokaev is a highly-touted UFC flyweight prospect who remains undefeated, aiming to climb the ranks with his dominating performances.

Division: Flyweight

• Young and relentless: At just 23, Mokaev is already a dominant grappler.

• Wrestling wizard: He controls every fight with relentless takedowns and pressure.

• Title aspirations: 2025 could see him rise to the top-perhaps the youngest flyweight champ.

Raw talent, unstoppable force. Will his rise continue?

5. Tom Aspinall: The Heavyweight with Light Feet

A heavyweight phenom from the UK, Aspinall has made a name for himself with lightning-fast speed and well-rounded skills, emerging as a serious title threat in the UFC heavyweight division.

Division: Heavyweight

• A new breed of heavyweight: Aspinall blends power with speed. Moves like a middleweight.

• On the rebound: After an injury, 2024 was his comeback. Now, 2025 is his year to chase gold.

• Versatile and dangerous: A skilled striker who can grapple—rare in the heavyweight division.

Big man, big skills. Could he be the next champ?

6. Raul Rosas Jr.: The Teenage Sensation

The youngest fighter to ever compete in the UFC, Rosas Jr. has shown incredible potential with his aggressive grappling and submission game, marking him as a prospect to watch.

Division: Bantamweight

• 18-year-old prodigy: Youngest fighter in the UFC with raw talent.

• Growing fast: His ground game is slick, and his striking is catching up fast.

• Future contender: 2025 is about growth and facing tougher opponents.

Youth, talent, and drive. How far can he go this year?

7. Tatiana Suarez: The Comeback Queen

Often referred to as a future UFC champion, Suarez is a dominant grappler with world-class wrestling, undefeated in the strawweight division and now competing at flyweight.

Division: Strawweight/Flyweight

• Back with a bang: After years of injuries, Suarez returned in 2023. 2025 could be her redemption year.

• Wrestling powerhouse: She dominates with grappling and pressure—few can match her.

• Eyeing gold: Competing in two divisions, she’s ready to challenge for a title.

Unfinished business. Will this be her golden year?

8. Luke Lessei: The Rising Technician

A talented prospect with a versatile skill set, Lessei is an emerging name in MMA, blending striking and grappling techniques to overwhelm his opponents.

Division: Welterweight

• Under the radar: Lessei has quietly been building his skills and gaining momentum.

• Fight IQ meets aggression: Known for his strategic approach mixed with raw aggression.

• Poised for a breakout: 2025 could be the year he moves into the spotlight in the stacked welterweight division.

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9. Dante Schiro: The Relentless Powerhouse

Schiro is a gritty welterweight known for his toughness and well-rounded game, showcasing resilience in the cage with a strong combination of striking and grappling.

Division: Light Heavyweight

• All-action fighter: Schiro is known for his relentless pace and never-give-up attitude.

• Strong everywhere: Whether it’s striking or grappling, he’s dangerous across the board.

• Potential for chaos: 2025 could see him taking on higher-ranked opponents and causing major upsets.

Raw power, heart, and endless gas tank—watch for the fireworks.

10. Garrett Carlson: The Dark Horse to Watch

A promising up-and-comer, Carlson has displayed impressive grappling and fight IQ, steadily making his way through the MMA ranks with strategic performances.

Division: Featherweight

• Explosive talent: Carlson mixes creative striking with solid grappling, making him unpredictable.

• Building momentum: 2025 could be the year where he turns from promising talent to serious contender.

• Always exciting: Whether he’s looking for a KO or submission, Carlson never plays it safe.

Exciting, explosive, and ready to shock the division.

11. Maycee Barber: The Underdog on a Mission

Dubbed "The Future," Barber is a UFC flyweight known for her aggressive striking and unyielding determination, working her way up as one of the division's most exciting prospects.

Division: Flyweight

• Climbing back up: After a few setbacks, Barber has rebuilt herself and is looking dangerous.

• Aggressive striker: Known for her fierce striking and willingness to brawl.

• 2025 goals: With the flyweight division wide open, this could be Barber’s year to make a serious title run.

Hungry, aggressive, and with something to prove.

12. Ilia Topuria: The Featherweight Finisher

A lethal striker and submission artist, Topuria is a surging featherweight contender known for his finishing ability and relentless aggression inside the octagon.

Division: Featherweight

• Power and precision: Topuria is a knockout artist with slick submissions in his arsenal.

• Rapid rise: He’s already making waves, and 2025 could see him fighting for gold.

• Must-watch fighter: His fights rarely go the distance, making him a fan favorite for finishes.

Fast, fierce, and always hunting for the finish.

13. Amanda Ribas: The Brazilian All-Rounder

A fan favorite with a bubbly personality, Ribas is a talented strawweight and flyweight fighter who combines elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu with effective striking to climb the UFC rankings.

Division: Strawweight/Flyweight

• Dynamic skill set: Ribas can grapple, strike, and move at a blistering pace.

• Fan-favorite personality: Her infectious energy outside the cage is matched by her toughness inside it.

• Two-division threat: Whether in strawweight or flyweight, 2025 could see Ribas make a deep run for the title.

Energetic, well-rounded, and ready to make waves.

14. Umar Nurmagomedov: The Next Nurmagomedov

Following in the footsteps of his cousin Khabib, Nurmagomedov is an undefeated bantamweight fighter with exceptional grappling and relentless pressure, making him a serious threat in the division.

Division: Bantamweight

• Carrying the family legacy: As a cousin of Khabib, Umar brings elite grappling and discipline to the Octagon.

• Undefeated and dangerous: He remains unbeaten, with a well-rounded game that’s constantly evolving.

• Future champion? 2025 could be the year Umar solidifies himself as a top bantamweight contender.

Disciplined, methodical, and carrying a legendary name.

15. Mackenzie Dern: Submission Master

A world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Dern has transitioned into MMA with impressive submission victories, establishing herself as a contender in the UFC strawweight division.

Division: Strawweight

• Elite jiu-jitsu: Dern’s grappling is among the best in the UFC, with slick submissions from any position.

• Improving striking: She’s added striking to her game, making her more dangerous in 2025.

• Title ambitions: With a few key wins, she could be on the path to gold in the strawweight division.

Submission queen with evolving tools.

Conclusion: The Fighters Who Will Shape 2025

As the trends of MMA continue to shift, 2025 promises to be a thrilling year where professionals look to reclaim glory and young stars rise to seize their moment. With new faces emerging and potential champions in the making, this year will undoubtedly bring change and excitement to the sport. The Octagon will serve as the ultimate battlefield, showcasing unmissable drama filled with talent, skill, and surprises. 

Cris Santos Always Top 10

Who will steal the show? The next MMA superstar might just be among these fighters, ready to shape the future of the sport.