UFC Fantasy Draft, Season 3: Which 72 UFC fighters will finish out 2025 the best?

MMA Preventing’s UFC Fantasy League is again for Season 3!

With June within the books, we’ve formally reached the halfway mark of 2024, and with that, the conclusion of Season 2 of the MMA Fighting UFC Fantasy League. Whereas followers predicted Guilherme Cruz would hoist the trophy in Season 2, “The Brazilian Beast” wound up ending lifeless final, and as an alternative it was Alexander Okay. Lee who as soon as once more took high honors with a formidable 2425 crew factors, ending 300 factors forward of runner-up E. Casey Leydon, thanks in no small half to Joshua Van who delivered a formidable 500 factors this previous season, second finest behind solely Merab Dvalishvili.

However we’ve no time to dwell on what has already occurred, as a result of with one season ending, a brand new one is ready to start, and because the UFC prepares to move to Nashville for Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira, we right here at MMA Preventing are all equipped for Season 3 of the fantasy league.

As a fast reminder, this isn’t a every day fantasy league like most MMA fantasy leagues are, however one constructed extra akin to conventional fantasy sports activities. Alexander Okay. Lee, E. Casey Leydon, Mike Heck, Damon Martin, Jed Meshew, and Guilherme Cruz will draft groups as 12 fighters — one in every of the most important weight courses and one wild card — and every fighter earns factors for his or her crew based mostly on the scoring standards under. This season runs by means of the top of 2025, the place we’ll crown a brand new winner after which rack ‘em again up.

SCORING CRITERIA

• +100 factors for a win
• +50 factors for a end
• +50 factors for a Efficiency of the Evening or Combat of the Evening bonus
• +50 factors for beating an opponent within the UFC rankings
• +25 factors for being in a title battle
• +25 factors for being in a principal occasion battle

Simple sufficient? We positive hope so.

With all returning gamers, this season we determined to do reverse snake draft format, with the losers of Season 2 going first. Additionally, for an added layer of enjoyable, every participant designated one fighter from their Season 2 roster to retain, earlier than we started the draft.

So with out additional ado, let’s get drafting!

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The Keepers

Guilherme Cruz — Alexandre Pantoja

Pantoja is at present the longest-reigning male champion within the UFC, and seems to have a date with Joshua Van later this 12 months. He’s additionally completed his earlier two opponents and seems to solely be getting higher regardless of being 35.

Jed Meshew — Sergei Pavlovich

Pavlovich has made a profession out of fast, brutal knockouts, and whereas he didn’t handle that in his choice win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in February, his upcoming battle in opposition to Waldo Cortes-Acosta provides him one other probability to attain huge.

Damon Martin — Islam Makhachev

It’s by no means a nasty thought to take the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, particularly as he seems poised to problem for the welterweight title later this 12 months.

Mike Heck — Ilia Topuria

The opposite man atop the pound-for-pound rankings, Topuria is on an increase the likes of which now we have not seen since Conor McGregor. It’s unclear who’s subsequent for Topuria’s first light-weight title protection, however he’ll nearly definitely be anticipated to complete whoever it’s early.

E. Casey Leydon — Tom Aspinall

The one factor that held again Aspinall in Season 2 was Jon Jones refusing to battle him. Now that Aspinall is the undisputed champ and reportedly already has a date locked in, the heavyweight king is prone to ship huge factors this time round.

Alexander Okay. Lee — Joshua Van

The second-highest level scorer in Season 2, Van has a date with Alexandre Pantoja someday later this 12 months, and given how often he fights, he would possibly simply get one other one in, too.

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Spherical 1

Cruz — Jean Silva (featherweight)

“Lord” scored 450 factors for Lee in Season 2, and already has a battle booked in opposition to Diego Lopes. Ought to he win, Silva could discover himself in a title battle earlier than the top of the 12 months.

Meshew — Shara Magomedov (middleweight)

“Bullet” faces Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC Abu Dhabi later this month, and with the promotion already planning a return to the UAE in October, there’s a great probability he will get at the very least two fights on this season.

Martin — Merab Dvalishvili (bantamweight)

The highest scoring fighter for Season 2, Dvalishvili just isn’t at present set to defend his title, however has talked about a number of occasions he hopes to get two extra title defenses on this 12 months, if potential.

Heck — Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight)

When Chimaev fights, he nearly all the time delivers spectacular performances. The query is will he make it to the cage? We’ll discover out quickly as Chimaev is booked to problem Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight belt in August at UFC 319.

Leydon — Zhang Mingyang (mild heavyweight)

“The Mountain Tiger” has wowed followers throughout his transient UFC run, and now he’s principal eventing UFC China in opposition to the all the time knockout-able Johnny Walker.

Lee — Dricus du Plessis (middleweight)

The present middleweight champion and one of many high pound-for-pound fighters within the sport, “DDP” is on a outstanding run by means of the UFC which he’ll attempt to proceed in opposition to Chimaev.

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Spherical 2

Lee — Max Holloway (light-weight)

The ‘BMF’ champ is the primary light-weight off the board and scheduled to tackle Dustin Poirier in the principle occasion of UFC 318 later this month.

Leydon — Reinier de Ridder (middleweight)

The previous two-division ONE champion, “RDR” has turned heads since becoming a member of the UFC and now has a date with Robert Whittaker in the principle occasion of UFC Abu Dhabi this month.

Heck — Ateba Gautier (wild card)

A 2024 Contender Collection signing, Gautier scored a first-round KO and Efficiency bonus in his lone UFC battle up to now. He faces Robert Valentin at UFC 318.

Martin — Alexander Volkanovski (featherweight)

The reining featherweight champion, Volkanovski just isn’t at present booked, although there have been many rumors a couple of rematch with Yair Rodriguez. Whoever it comes in opposition to, Volkanovski figures to defend his belt earlier than the 12 months is out.

Meshew — Kevin Holland (welterweight)

One of many busiest fighters within the sport, Holland someway went undrafted in Season 2. That was a mistake as Holland fought 3 times already in 2024 and is booked in opposition to Daniel Rodriguez at UFC 318.

Cruz — Zhang Weili — strawweight

The strawweight champion picked up an enormous title protection over Tatiana Suarez earlier this 12 months. Now she’s going to both defend her title or, probably transfer as much as flyweight to problem Valentina Shevchenko in a pound-for-pound superfight.

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Spherical 3

Cruz — Tallison Teixeira (heavyweight)

A 2024 Contender Collection signee, Teixeira knocked out Justin Tafa in simply 35 seconds in his UFC debut in February. That earned him a principal occasion spot in opposition to Derrick Lewis at UFC Nashville this Saturday.

Meshew — Fatima Kline (strawweight)

Simply 1-1 within the UFC, Kline faces Melissa Martinez at UFC Nashville this weekend the place she’s a large -1100 betting favourite.

Martin — Michael Morales (wild card)

6-0 within the UFC, Morales is coming off a first-round stoppage of Gilbert Burns in Could. Although he’s not at present booked, the Ecuadorian fighter ought to see the cage once more earlier than the 12 months is out.

Heck — Magomed Ankalaev (mild heavyweight)

The reigning champion, Ankalaev has been angling for a rematch with Alex Pereira, although it’s nonetheless up within the air whether or not or not that may occur. Jiri Prochazka has additionally been thrown round as a potential title challenger for “Massive Ank.”

Leydon — Jacobe Smith (welterweight)

Smith had a harder-than-expected time in opposition to Niko Value at UFC 317, however he nonetheless bought a formidable stoppage. The Contender Collection product is among the brightest prospects on the UFC roster.

Lee — Carlos Prates (welterweight)

Prates lastly took an L within the UFC, dropping a choice to Ian Machado Garry in April. He’s rumored to be dealing with Geoff Neal later this 12 months.

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Spherical 4

Lee — Cory Sandhagen (bantamweight)

A perennial high contender at 135 kilos, Sandhagen is predicted to lastly get a shot on the undisputed title in opposition to champion Dvalishvili later this 12 months.

Leydon — Steve Garcia (featherweight)

Presently on a five-fight successful streak, Garcia faces Calvin Katter within the characteristic bout of UFC Nashville.

Heck — Petr Yan (bantamweight)

A former bantamweight champion, Yan is on a two-fight successful streak and hopes to get a shot on the title when he faces Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Martin — Tatsuro Taira (flyweight)

Making his first look since struggling his first MMA loss again in October, Taira just isn’t getting a mushy rebound. He fights Amir Albazi in a UFC Apex principal occasion in August.

Meshew — Morgan Charriere (featherweight)

Charriere takes on Nate Landwehr this weekend at UFC Nashville. After that, it could stunning if the French fighter didn’t seem at UFC Paris later this 12 months.

Cruz — Caio Borralho (middleweight)

Talking of UFC Paris, Borralho faces Nassourdine Imavov in the principle occasion of that card in September. A win could earn him a crack on the middleweight belt.

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Spherical 5

Cruz — Vinicius Oliveira (bantamweight)

A Contender Collection product, “Lok Canine” has been electrical in three UFC appearances, and now takes on Kyler Phillips at UFC 318.

Meshew — Daniel Zellhuber (light-weight)

Zellhuber faces getting older veteran Michael Johnson at UFC 318. After that, it’s extremely probably the Mexican fighter will participate at this 12 months’s Noche UFC card in September.

Martin — Mauricio Ruffy (light-weight)

One other of the Preventing Nerds which have taken over MMA the previous 18 months, Ruffy just isn’t formally booked but, although ought to battle at the very least as soon as earlier than the top of the 12 months.

Heck — Waldo Cortes-Acosta (heavyweight)

On a five-fight successful streak, “Salsa Boy” will get his shot at title rivalry when he takes on Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Shanghai.

Leydon — Manel Kape (flyweight)

The query with Kape will all the time be whether or not or not he makes it to the cage. Kape was presupposed to face Brandon Royval at UFC 317, however an harm pressured him to withdraw. He’s nonetheless recovering.

Lee — Jailton Almeida (heavyweight)

One of many “haves” at heavyweight, Almeida has put collectively a sterling run by means of the UFC up to now, and has been overtly lobbying for a crack at heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

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Spherical 6

Lee — Azamat Murzakanov (mild heavyweight)

5-0 within the UFC with 4 knockouts, Murzakanov has additionally struggled with attending to the cage. He isn’t at present booked.

Leydon — Dustin Poirier (light-weight)

A future Corridor of Famer, Poirier makes the ultimate stroll of his profession when he faces Max Holloway in a trilogy battle at UFC 318 this month.

Heck — Ramazan Temirov (flyweight)

3-0 within the UFC since becoming a member of the promotion from Rizin, Termirov faces Asu Almabayev at UFc Abu Dhabi.

Martin — Marco Tulio (middleweight)

A Contender Collection product, Tulio has two stoppage wins in two fights within the UFC. He faces Michel Pereira at UFC Shanghai.

Meshew — Carli Judice (ladies’s flyweight)

Simply 1-1 within the UFC, Judice has earned a bonus for every of her fights within the octagon. She’ll face Nicolle Caliari at UFC318.

Cruz — Ian Machado Garry (welterweight)

Coming off his win over Carlos Prates, “IMG” is knocking on the door of a title shot, and should have a date lined up with former champion Belal Muhammad later this 12 months.

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Spherical 7

Cruz — Natalia Silva (ladies’s flyweight)

The No. 1 contender within the division after beating Alexa Grasso, Silva could also be subsequent in line for a title shot, relying on what occurs with Zhang Weili.

Meshew — Brandon Moreno (flyweight)

The previous two-time flyweight champion just isn’t at present booked however has been linked to a number of potential matchups, and appears a shoe-in to compete on the Noche UFC card.

Martin — Marcin Tybura (heavyweight)

Presently on a two-fight successful streak, Tybura faces off with former PFL standout Ante Delija in his promotional debut in September.

Heck — Michael ‘Venom’ Web page (middleweight)

Although “MVP” says he’s a welterweight, his earlier battle was at 185 kilos and he’s at present booked in opposition to former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier. Appears like he’s a middleweight to me.

Leydon — Tatiana Suarez (strawweight)

Suarez suffered a crushing defeat in opposition to Zhang Weili in February and isn’t at present booked to compete. That’s all the time scary in the case of Suarez, who has a historical past of not competing often.

Lee — Kennedy Freeman (ladies’s flyweight)

An undefeated prospect and Cage Warriors champion, Freeman makes her UFC debut in opposition to Yuneisy Duben at UFC Paris

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Spherical 8

Lee — Mayra Bueno Silva (ladies’s bantamweight)

Driving a three-fight dropping streak, “MBS” returns to 135 kilos in opposition to Joselyne Edwards within the hopes of getting her profession again on monitor in August.

Leydon — Wang Cong (ladies’s flyweight)

On a two-fight successful streak, Wang Cong just isn’t at present booked to compete. She most not too long ago fought at UFC 316 in June.

Heck — Jasmine Jasudavicius (ladies’s flyweight)

On a five-fight successful streak, Jasudavicius submitted Jessica Andrade at UFC 315. She just isn’t at present booked.

Martin — Norma Dumont (ladies’s bantamweight)

Driving a five-fight successful streak, Dumont may very well be subsequent in line for a title shot, relying what occurs between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes.

Meshew — Nora Cornolle (ladies’s bantamweight)

3-1 within the UFC, Cornolle is scheduled to face Karol Rosa at an APEX card in August.

Cruz — Arman Tsarukyan (light-weight)

Tsarukyan weighed in because the backup fighter for UFC 317, and since then, the No. 1 light-weight contender has been stirring up potential fights with almost everybody within the rankings.

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Spherical 9

Cruz — Jiri Prochazka (mild heavyweight)

After knocking out Jamahal Hill in January, the previous mild heavyweight champion has taken a while off to pursue his schooling, however may discover himself in a title battle sooner reasonably than later given the 205 panorama.

Meshew — Bogdan Guskov (mild heavyweight)

Driving a three-fight successful streak, Guskov squares up with Nikita Krylov at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Martin — Dominick Reyes (mild heavyweight)

A full blown run on 205ers! Reyes is on a three-fight successful streak and improbably on the door of title rivalry. He’s been linked to a potential battle with Carlos Ulberg, amongst others.

Heck — Gillian Robertson (strawweight)

On a four-fight successful streak, Robertson is coming off a stoppage over Marina Rodriguez in Could. She just isn’t at present booked.

Leydon — Umar Nurmagomedov (bantamweight)

Nurmagomedov has not stepped within the cage since his disappointing defeat to Merab Dvalishvili in January. That being stated, it’s a great wager his return will coincide with Islam Makhavchev’s welterweight title shot.

Lee — Alexia Tainara (strawweight)

A Contender Collection product, Thainara received her UFC debut by submitting Molly McCann in March. She just isn’t booked to compete in the intervening time.

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Spherical 10

Lee — Aaron Pico (featherweight)

A standout in Bellator, Pico makes his UFC debut in opposition to Movsar Evloev at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Leydon — Raquel Pennington (ladies’s bantamweight)

The previous bantamweight champion, Pennington has not fought since dropping her title to Julianna Peña.

Heck — Movsar Evloev (featherweight)

19-0 with a formidable run by means of the UFC, a title shot nonetheless eludes Evloev, who must get previous Pico to lastly get his shot at gold.

Martin — Erin Blanchfield (ladies’s flyweight)

Blanchfield was presupposed to tackle Maycee Barber final Season, however Barber was pressured out of the battle simply moments earlier than they walker to the cage. Blanchfield has not been rebooked but.

Meshew — Malcolm Wellmaker (bantamweight)

Probably the most thrilling prospects to return out of Contender Collection final 12 months, Wellmaker has two first-round KOs and two Efficiency bonuses in his two UFC bouts.

Cruz — Karol Rosa (ladies’s bantamweight)

Rosa has alternated wins and losses over her previous eight fights. She dropped a choice to Ailin Perez in January and now faces Nora Cornolle in August.

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Spherical 11

Cruz — Anthony Hernandez (wild card)

“Fluffy” is on a seven-fight successful streak and takes on Roman Dolidze in the principle occasion of an APEX card in August.

Meshew — Azamat Bekoev (wild card)

2-0 within the UFC, Bekoev faces off with Torrez Finney in August.

Martin — Sam Hughes (strawweight)

Driving a two-fight successful streak, Hughes takes on Shauna Bannon at UFC Paris.

Heck — Kayla Harrison (ladies’s bantamweight)

Harrison simply received the title by stopping Julianna Peña and isn’t staring down a superfight with Amanda Nunes. The one questions is whether or not or not that may occur this 12 months.

Leydon — Gregory Rodrigues (wild card)

“Robocop” simply iced Jack Hermansson shortly at UFC 317, and at ought to be capable to make a fast turnaround, although nothing is ready.

Lee — Torrez Finney (wild card)

The one fighter to ever go 3-0 on Contender Collection, Finney didn’t impress in his UFC debut, however get an opportunity at redemption in opposition to Bekoev subsequent month.

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And there you could have it! The third MMA Preventing UFC Fantasy Draft is within the books! Who bought snubbed and which picks had been reaches? Tell us within the feedback, and we’ll see you in December with the outcomes and the following season.

Remaining Draft Outcomes: