2024 was another stellar year for the UFC, as MMA’s premier promotion has seen a number of stars rise up the rankings towards the pinnacle of the sport. Current champions Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira saw their stock rise significantly, with Topuria capturing Featherweight gold whilst defeating two of the greatest Featherweights of all time, whilst Pereira continued to impress during 2024 with three title defences in the Light-heavyweight division.
There are a number of fighters on the roster that will be looking to propel their names to the top of the UFC Roster as 2025 is set to be another big year for the UFC.
Diego Lopes
Diego Lopes had a big year in 2024, and the Brazilian will be looking to capture featherweight gold. Lopes has proved to be an exciting and dynamic prospect, appearing on three PPVs and winning three fights in 2024, rising to number three in the Featherweight rankings.
Lopes defeated Sodiq Yusuff via first-round TKO after knocking Yusuff to the ground via an uppercut at UFC 300. Lopes then went on to defeat Dan Ige in the UFC 303 co-main event via decision in one of the most memorable fights of the year, as Ige was only announced as the opponent a few hours before. Lopes would face former title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC 306, where Lopes would go on to win via decision, with all two judges scoring the fight 30-27, and one scoring it 30-26.
Lopes has proved himself to be an exciting fighter, and very capable in every department of MMA. Lopes, who has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has won 46% of his MMA fights via submission, and 38% via KO/TKO. 2025 will be a big year for the Brazilian, as he looks to steal Featherweight gold from current champion, Ilia Topuria. Lopes has proven he belongs at the top of the division and would provide an intriguing matchup for Topuria.
Jack Della Maddalena
Jack Della Maddalena has had an impressive rise to prominence in the UFC‘s Welterweight Division, going on a 16-fight win streak, with his last seven victories coming in the UFC. The Australian fighter has displayed great skill on his way to the top five in the Welterweight division, with his impressive boxing being a particularly strong point.
The number four ranked Welterweight only fought once in 2024, defeating former title challenger Gilbert Burns via TKO back in March. Burns provided JDM with his toughest test yet, as the Brazilian looked like a threat by grappling throughout the fight, but JDM was able to knee Burns before finishing him on the ground. JDM also holds impressive wins over Randy Brown and Kevin Holland. The Australian is undoubtedly a threat on the feet, with 71% of his MMA wins coming via KO/TKO.
JDM does not currently have a fight lined up, but a number of potential fights exist which may provide him with a title shot in 2025. A rumoured bout with Leon Edwards at UFC London in March would be a huge opportunity for JDM, and would more than likely make him the next in line for the title shot should he win. Ian Garry, who lost a close decision against Shavkat Rakhmonov last month, would also be a very intriguing matchup for JDM, as both fighters are relatively young and both prefer to keep the fight standing.
Manel Kape
Manel Kape has been a controversial figure in the UFC, to say the least, with the number six ranked Flyweight providing many news worthy headlines during his time in the UFC. Behind all the controversy, Kape has undoubtedly displayed that he belongs in the Flyweight top 10, displaying impressive striking and sound grappling throughout his MMA career.
“Starboy” is coming off a TKO win against Bruno Silva in which he looked very impressive on the fight, winning the fight via Round Three TKO. Kape played up to the crowd during the fight, as he taunted his opponent whilst displaying great striking. Before this, Kape suffered a controversial loss to Muhammad Mokaev back in July. Whilst the result was not necessarily controversial, the antics surrounding the fight, with both fighters being involved in physical altercations led to Mokaev being cut from the UFC. Despite the loss to Mokaev, Kape looked like he belonged with the elite of the division. Kape also holds a win over the previous Flyweight title challenger, Kai Asakura back when both fighters competed in Rizin.
Kape is a danger wherever the fight takes place, with 60% of his MMA wins coming via KO/TKO and 25% of his wins coming via submission. Whilst it seems a tall order for anyone to defeat current champion Alexandre Pantoja, Kape will believe he right up there in line for the next shot. A perhaps obvious fight to make is a number one contender fight between Kape and Kai Kara France. The bout was scheduled in 2023 before Kara France pulled out, and both fighters have displayed a lot of animosity towards each other which would lead to an intriguing and entertaining buildup.
Erin Blanchfield
Erin Blanchfield has made a name for herself in the Women’s Flyweight division, with the American-born fighter sporting an impressive 13-2 record. Blanchfield has proven herself to be capable in all aspects of MMA with her grappling being particularly impressive. Blanchfield is a black belt in BJJ. Coming into 2025, she will have her eyes set on current Flyweight Queen, Valentina Shevchenko.
Blanchfield’s last fight saw her defeat former Strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision back in November. Blanchfield appeared to be losing early on before using her grappling in the championship rounds to defeat Rose. Before that, Blanchfield lost to number Two ranked Manon Fiorot back in March of this year, where she appeared to struggle with Fiorot’s striking.
Coming off the win to Rose, Blanchfield has numerous options. A potential matchup against former champion Alexa Grasso has been discussed as Blanchfield called out Grasso after her win against Rose. A potential fight with current champion Shevchenko is also on the cards and would provide an intriguing stylistic matchup. Blanchfield believes that she has a high chance of being the champion of the Flyweight division come the end of 2025.
Caio Borralho
Caio Borralho had an impressive 2024, which saw him climb to number six in the UFC middleweight rankings. Borralho holds an impressive record of 17-1, sporting wins over Paul Craig, Abus Magomedov and former title challenger, Jared Cannonier. Borralho is a well-rounded fighter who has displayed great striking and BJJ skills throughout his UFC career.
“The Natural” showed that he belonged among the top middleweights in the world after his victory against former title challenger Jared Cannonier back in August. Borralho won via unanimous decision, with the 31-year-old out-landing Cannonier with 153 strikes to 83. Borralho was particularly impressive in the final round as all three judges scored the round 10-8 in his favour.
The Brazilian is a very well-rounded fighter, with an impressive 60% significant strike accuracy and an average of 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes in his UFC career. Borralho has a great opportunity to cement his name as a real contender for the middleweight title in 2025. Current champion Dricus Du Plessis has a rematch with Sean Strickland booked for February which means that names like Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev may be next for Borralho. Victories over these fighters would cement Borralho as real title threat and propel his name into MMA stardom.
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