2025 MMA Draft: Which 28 fighters are the best building blocks for MMA promotions?

The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday in Inexperienced Bay, Wis., and so within the spirit of the festivities, like we did last year, and the year before, and the year before, the MMA Preventing Crew is again to divvy up the very best fighters and largest stars on the earth of MMA.

In the event you don’t keep in mind what occurred final 12 months, it’s easy: Alexander Ok. Lee, Damon Martin, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew take the reins of one of many 4 high MMA promotions on the earth, after which draft their alternative of fighters to construct their franchises round. As soon as it’s all mentioned and executed, the high quality readers of MMAFighting.com decide who has assembled the very best assortment of expertise.

Let’s briefly run down the foundations as a reminder.

1. Any particular person within the MMA world is offered to draft. Drafting a fighter locks them right into a five-year contract with the group.
2. Getting a fighter underneath contract doesn’t imply the fighter has to combat for that group; they simply can not compete for some other MMA group. As an illustration, when you draft Jon Jones, you run the chance of him failing a drug check, getting arrested, or just not eager to combat.
3. The draft is seven rounds this 12 months (mirroring the NFL draft). On the finish of the train, any fighter who’s undrafted reverts to the corporate they’re presently underneath contract with.

Final 12 months, the MMA promotions have been BKFC, ONE Championship, PFL, KSW, and the UFC, with Heck’s BKFC roster rising because the winner. In fact, issues are barely completely different this 12 months as top-level MMA promotions proceed to fall off the face of the Earth, so we’ve as soon as once more blended issues up. The UFC and PFL stay a part of the train, as does final 12 months’s winner, BKFC; nevertheless, ONE Championship is barely an MMA group anymore and KSW was a enjoyable embrace final 12 months, however we determined it makes extra sense to incorporate the brand new child on the MMA block, GFL, particularly since this might be the only year we can do so.

All basic managers have been randomly reassigned to new organizations, with Damon Martin taking on GFL, Alexander Ok. Lee heading up PFL, Jed Meshew operating BKFC, and Mike Heck taking the reins on the UFC. As the brand new child on the block, GFL has the primary choose, then PFL, then BKFC, with the UFC ending every spherical.

Acquired it? Good. Let’s get drafting.

GFL: Conor McGregor

Martin: At GFL, we’re not attempting to create viral moments — we’re simply making an attempt to placed on a single present! However with our first choose, none aside from Conor McGregor, which may truly permit us to rise up and operating. Whereas most fighters who’re the No. 1 choose are in search of an enormous contract, we’re hoping that Conor may be capable to float us a mortgage so we will promote our debut card.

He might be the face of the promotion, we’ll name him president if that’s what he needs. Simply be sure the examine clears!

PFL: Tom Aspinall

Lee: Over right here at “The League,” as my boy Donn Davis and I wish to name it, we’ve had a reasonably good factor going with Francis Ngannou being touted as MMA’s true No. 1 heavyweight. Sadly, Ngannou’s time within the combat recreation is prone to be quick, so let’s convey within the true true No. 1 heavyweight within the recreation, Mr. Tom Aspinall.

BKFC: Alex Pereira

Meshew: Some folks will take a look at this choose and say, “Jed, you’re shamelessly ripping off Mike’s technique with BKFC final 12 months!” To which I reply, “Duh.” Mike and I had the identical technique final 12 months; he simply picked earlier than me and sniped all probably the most enjoyable fighters. Effectively, not this 12 months, child!

“Poatan” might not be a UFC champion, however that doesn’t matter in any respect to me and the high quality of us at BKFC. I simply wanna watch this man BOOP some folks in naked knuckles. Is that a lot to ask?

UFC: Ilia Topuria

Heck: Of us, I’m not going to sugarcoat it—we’ve simply been cruising alongside with out a fear on the earth, and we haven’t needed to strive in any respect. In some unspecified time in the future, the frustrations of our fan base are going to succeed in a boiling level, and as we’re nicely conscious, we’re getting shut. So we have to hold the man with the best ceiling on our whole roster, each in talent and star energy.

Ilia Topuria was the most important must-protect fighter within the UFC, and we weren’t letting him out of the primary spherical for more-than-obvious causes.

Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

GFL: Jon Jones

Martin: No one does the draft higher than the GFL—just look at the one we put on previously! So with our second choice, we’re going after the best of all time. At 37, Jones remains to be a little bit on the youthful aspect for our group, however we’re prepared to take a danger on him.

Jones has additionally made it clear that he doesn’t have a lot time left within the sport, and that matches our firm philosophy as a result of we most likely don’t have a lot time left both!

PFL: Islam Makhachev

Lee: The League is the place the very best compete—Donn: Have you ever seen what number of of our athletes are ranked on Fight Matrix???—and the way can we proceed to make that declare with out the Pound-for-Pound finest fighter on the earth, Islam Makhachev?

Frankly, he matches proper in with the preventing type of a lot of our league champions, so even when he gained’t precisely assist us rake within the informal {dollars} (who wants ya), he’s each an on-brand choice and an unimaginable expertise to bolster our already elite roster.

BKFC: Dricus du Plessis

Meshew: I’ll enterprise to say that there was no greater proponent of Dricus du Plessis amongst MMA media than yours actually since his arrival within the UFC, so this choose is simply as a lot about what he can do for us within the ring as what my coronary heart needs. DDP is a particular athlete and star, and although he has loads of grappling chops, he’ll additionally slot in fairly properly as an enormous dude who throws lunchboxes at folks.

Plus, du Plessis provides us a stunning inroad to South Africa, and given their love for rugby — which is mainly bare-knuckle soccer, with preventing — I believe that may be an enormous marketplace for us transferring ahead.

UFC: Dakota Ditcheva

Heck: If Ilia Topuria was No. 1 on our must-keep checklist, Dakota Ditcheva is No. 1 on the must-have checklist.

The followers need it, Ditcheva clearly needs it, and we on the UFC want as a lot pleasure and intrigue as we will get. Why wait till the contract expires? That is the rapid transfer for Ditcheva. Let’s rip the Band-Support proper off and provides all people—besides the PFL—precisely what they need to see.

Picture by Maciej Gillert/Gallo Pictures through Getty Pictures Poland/Getty Pictures

GFL: Francis Ngannou

Martin: With Tommy Aspinall off the board, we’ve acquired to seek out somebody for Jones to combat in his GFL debut (probably the one combat he’ll have for the GFL), so we’re going again to the matchup all people needed simply a few years in the past. He’s been out of sight, out of thoughts in PFL, however Ngannou remains to be one of the vital ferocious fighters on the earth, and placing him up towards Jones is strictly the type of matchup we want.

PFL: Paddy Pimblett

Lee: I see what GFL is doing… and I don’t prefer it.

Happily, we factored a Francis loss into our plans and have already got a number of passive-aggressive tweets prepared for when his first GFL combat is introduced (kidding… or are we?). We thank Ngannou for his companies and transfer on to the latest hotness, now-former UFC star Paddy Pimblett.

We’ve acquired the steak with Makhachev, and now we’ve an entire lot of sizzle with the more and more in style “Baddy” from Liverpool.

BKFC: Carlos Prates

Meshew: Look, are there “higher” fighters to choose right here? In all probability. However BKFC is as a lot a life-style as it’s a combat promotion, and is there anybody in MMA proper now extra becoming for our explicit model of shenanigans? Heck, we’ll even let him rip heaters on the best way to the ring and assist facilitate some customized Marlboro Crimson combat shorts.

UFC: Mariusz Pudzianowski

Heck: First off, this could’ve been a snake draft, and Paddy Pimblett would’ve remained on the roster. However I digress…

Since I can’t retain Pimblett’s companies, once more, the secret for the UFC is enjoyable and thrilling, and no division wants it greater than heavyweight proper now. We’ll matchmake for him appropriately (see draft choose No. 5, and apologies to KSW), and ensure everybody tunes in to observe.

Moreover, this hurts BKFC and positively GFL primarily based on the fighter-age vary. Excited to have him.

Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC through Getty Pictures

GFL: Ronda Rousey

Martin: Now I do know what you’re pondering—Ronda Rousey is retired. However so was Chris Weidman, and he got here again for the dignity of competing within the GFL, and we consider Rousey could make that very same type of comeback. Positive, she hasn’t fought in 9 years, however that’s the type of layoff that simply begs for a return to motion!

We’ve already acquired Holly Holm underneath contract, so perhaps we may run that again, or maybe this draft will current an alternative choice for the “Rowdy” one in her GFL debut.

PFL: Jean Silva

Lee: Hear, I’m simply going to say it: In the event you vote for GFL because the winner within the ballot beneath, you’re a dangerous particular person. Clarify your self within the feedback!

We’re conserving the great instances rolling with one other buzzy fighter and the second Preventing Nerd to return off the board, “Lord” Jean Silva. His inventory couldn’t be increased proper now after disposing of Bryce Mitchell, and he’s an unbelievable addition to our criminally missed featherweight squad.

BKFC: Jiri Prochazka

Meshew: Oof. That one stings a little bit as I hoped to seize Silva this spherical for a Preventing Nerds Bash Brothers scenario, however alas. Nice pickup for PFL, and we should swap our plans up barely, by taking my different giant, grownup son, Jiri Prochazka.

Except for the Pudzianowski-Corridor combat (that Heck simply ruined!!!!!), there is no such thing as a combat I need to see extra in MMA. I don’t want it to be for a belt or something, I simply have to see these two giant, violence weirdos collide. And now I can.

UFC: Dustin Poirier

Heck: There’s no manner we’re permitting Dustin Poirier to have his ultimate combat outdoors of the UFC.

There are about 5 issues which might be realistically thrilling and will present emotion within the UFC in 2025, and Poirier’s Final Dance is considered one of them. Poirier vs. Holloway 3 is a becoming approach to finish one of the vital enjoyable careers in UFC historical past, and it’ll occur in New Orleans.

Picture by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures

GFL: Justin Gaethje

Martin: Hear, we want a little bit bit of pleasure in right here, and we’ve acquired to be trustworthy, there’s an opportunity none of our first 4 picks truly find yourself competing for us—very like we most likely gained’t ever placed on a present—however not all is misplaced. With Gaethje, we get a man who remains to be a high light-weight, he by no means places on boring fights, and he’s remarkably sturdy and reliable, which is one thing we positively want on this promotion.

PFL: Khamzat Chimaev

Lee: Khamzat Chimaev, I can not give up you.

For the second 12 months in a row, I’m rolling the cube on a man who could be the very best fighter on the earth? We might by no means know. However there’s no denying that each time Chimaev has made the stroll to the cage, it’s appointment viewing.

And hey, our stars don’t combat greater than annually anyway, so our schedules line up completely!

BKFC: Mike Perry

Meshew: Look, is it potential that it is a wasted choose? Completely. However right here at BKFC, we stand by our personal. GFL already took our co-owner within the first spherical, we can not afford to lose the face of our promotion. Mike Perry helped construct us into what we’re immediately, and he stays the proper avatar for what bare-knuckle preventing is all about.

UFC: Eddie Corridor

Heck: You’re welcome. See choose No. 3, and that’s all.

Picture by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

GFL: Gina Carano

Martin: The steal of the draft! Technically, Gina Carano by no means retired, so she’s more energizing than Rousey proper now (regardless of not competing for nearly 16 years). Carano practically plotted her comeback a number of years in the past when she acquired deep into talks with the UFC a couple of potential showdown towards Rousey. Effectively, potential is all we’ve acquired round right here, so why not try to put collectively the Carano vs. Rousey combat in 2025 that no person was asking for?

PFL: Reug Reug

Lee: We are able to’t utterly shrug off the lack of Ngannou as a result of the cash combat was proper there with him and Aspinall. So we pivot to the one ONE Championship title prone to come off the board, the enigmatic Oumar Kane, a.ok.a. Reug Reug.

Nobody anticipated Reug Reug to final a spherical with Anatoly Malykhin this previous November, however one way or the other the Senegalese man of thriller not solely went the gap however emerged victorious (through a extremely questionable break up determination, however nonetheless). It’s a disgrace he hasn’t fought since, however we’re ready to supply him an enormous Aspinall matchup straight away.

BKFC: Jose Aldo

Meshew: This can be a choose for me.

I’ve nothing however love for *ahem* The Greatest Featherweight of All Time, and think about it a travesty how the UFC is reserving him in the course of the golden years of his profession. Happily, we in BKFC know that the very last thing anybody wants is somebody desperately holding Jose Aldo’s waist and praying they take the scorecards, and that’s not on the menu within the BKFC ring. Let’s see what one of many perfect fighters to ever stay can do with a ultimate chapter in naked knuckle.

UFC: Gadzhi Rabadanov

Heck: Name it a hipster choose, however I name it a egocentric one. Sizzling take: I believe Gadzhi Rabadanov is probably the most underrated fighter on the earth proper now.

And, after all, we really feel dangerous that we’ve—barring an harm, or a slip on a banana peel—price Rabadanov $500,000, as a result of if we didn’t draft him, he’s profitable PFL’s light-weight event. I believe this man could be one of many ten finest lightweights on the earth proper now, and we’ll by no means know if that’s true with out this transfer taking place.

Picture by Chris Unger/Getty Pictures

GFL: Nate Diaz

Martin: We’ve acquired to shut down issues sturdy, and there could also be no higher approach to get Conor to provide us entry to his checking account than lastly establishing a rubber match with him towards previous rival Nate Diaz. Their preliminary encounters have been two of the biggest-selling UFC exhibits of all time, and who’s not going to observe a 3rd? Plus, Diaz turned 40 this 12 months, so he’s proper within the prime of his profession with regards to the GFL!

PFL: Themba Gorimbo

Lee: I legitimately thought Damon drafted “Nick Diaz,” and the truth that the confusion was even potential makes me so offended.

We’re going manner outdoors the field for our final choose with quite a few champions, stars, and PFL names I ought to most likely be defending nonetheless on the board, however hear me out: We get Themba Gorimbo and we get The Rock. You won’t understand they’re buddies since they by no means discuss it (smirk emoji).

The League is all about producing mainstream buzz, and what higher manner than to get Dwayne Johnson on our aspect to advertise the inspiring story of his buddy Themba. And if there’s one factor we learn about Rocky after this previous WrestleMania weekend, it’s that when he commits to a narrative, he follows by (a number of smirk emojis, prayer palms)!

BKFC: Paul Hughes

Meshew: And now it’s time to look to the longer term. BKFC has a really particular model and discovering scheme matches is rarely simple, however this one appears good. Hughes is at all times all the way down to get down, and he’s an rising expertise with a penchant for speaking as nicely. Hughes is our succession plan for when Mike Perry and our ageing expertise pool begin transferring into retirement.

UFC: Cédric Doumbé

Heck: Oh, Jed, you stole my choose, however that’s OK, I’ve a beautiful backup plan.

Doumbé-mania goes to run wild within the UFC, and in contrast to PFL, we’ll matchmake for Doumbé the precise manner. No wrestlers, no grapplers (not less than not anytime quickly) and nothing however spotlight reels.

That is what Doumbé acquired into the game for, and PFL shined him up good for us; now, we will make him the star he deserves to be.

Closing draft outcomes:

GFL (Damon Martin)

1. Conor McGregor
2. Jon Jones
3. Francis Ngannou
4. Ronda Rousey
5. Justin Gaethje
6. Gina Carano
7. Nate Diaz

PFL (Alexander Ok. Lee)

1. Tom Aspinall
2. Islam Makhachev
3. Paddy Pimblett
4. Jean Silva
5. Khamzat Chimaev
6. Reug Reug
7. Themba Gorimbo

BKFC (Jed Meshew)

1. Alex Pereira
2. Dricus du Plessis
3. Carlos Prates
4. Jiri Prochazka
5. Mike Perry
6. Jose Aldo
7. Paul Hughes

UFC (Mike Heck)

1. Ilia Topuria
2. Dakota Ditcheva
3. Mariusz Pudzianowski
4. Dustin Poirier
5. Eddie Corridor
6. Gadzhi Rabadanov
7. Cédric Doumbé