Top 10 Fighters of the Year
Who was #1?
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For the fight world, it was a very good year.
The UFC continues to grow stronger. While pay-per-view numbers aren’t touted as often (which gives credence to the belief they’ll move toward a premium live event model like WWE in their next media right deal), the promotion further cemented itself as the strongest combat sports group in the world.
It wasn’t all positive for the fighters. PFL acquired Bellator, removing a vital option for fighters, but they also welcomed Francis Ngannou back to the Octagon–and saw the birth of a new star in Dakota Ditcheva.
There were some spectacular performances in the cage. And some new talent emerged as the best in the world, serving as another reminder as to what makes this sport so invigorating.
Here are my picks for Top 10 fighters of the year:
10: Shara Magomedov, UFC
Defeated Antonio Trocoli on UFC on ABC; defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk on UFC on ABC; defeated Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308
From the start of June through the end of the year, Shara “Bullet” Magomedov dominated the fight realm.
His double spinning back fist was a fitting way to complete 2024. There is still mystery surrounding him, which helps his aura, and the question still remains of when–or if–he is going to compete in America.
We’d heard the hype for years. But in 2024, Magomedov exceeded every expectation.
9: Carlos Prates, UFC
Defeated Trevin Giles at UFC Fight Night; defeated Charles Radtke at UFC on ESPN; defeated Li Jingliang at UFC 305; defeated Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night
Four wins in 2024 propelled Carlos Prates to a spot on this list.
It wasn’t just the victories; it was how he won, claiming victory by knockout in all four fights.
Prates is one of the most promising welterweights entering the new year. He will have bouts against opponents ranked in the top 10, and it will be fascinating to see if he can continue his dominance against tougher competition.
8: Diego Lopes, UFC
Defeated Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300; defeated Dan Ige at UFC 303; defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 306
All three of Diego Lopes’ wins in 2024 were significant, but none quite like the way he dismantled Brian Ortega in September at UFC 306.
For years Ortega was a perennial mainstay atop the featherweight division, but Lopes overpowered him. That is a frightening sign for the rest of the division, and Lopes is now in a position to seek gold in 2025.
If Lopes is who we think he is, then his next 12 months will be even more impressive than what we witnessed in 2024.
7: Dakota Ditcheva, PFL
Defeated Lisa Mauldin at PFL 1; defeated Chelsea Hackett at PFL 4; defeated Jena Bishop at PFL 7; defeated Taila Santos at PFL 10
Did anyone’s stock rise higher this past year than it did for Dakota Ditcheva?
PFL’s newest star didn’t beat any one of note (even Taila Santos is past her prime), but she defeated her competition in style. Moving forward, she’ll need to face some quality opponents, specifically Liz Carmouche, who is the reigning Bellator women’s flyweight champ. Carmouche is no longer the fighter she once was, and she lost in the PFL tourney to Santos, but holding the Bellator title would be a nice addition for Ditcheva as he continues her rise.
Ditcheva appears to be the real deal, but she’ll need to test herself against more legitimate opponents in 2025 if she wants to be taken seriously.
6: Joaquin Buckley, UFC
Defeated Vicente Luque at UFC on ESPN; defeated Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC on ESPN; defeated Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 307; defeated Colby Covington at UFC Tampa
The only way this year could have been better for Joaquin Buckley was to end it with a victory against Ian Machado Garry.
But an injury to reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad caused a couple different cards to shuffle, and Buckley instead had the opportunity to wipe out Colby Covington to cap off his fourth victory of the year.
Buckley had the best year of any non-champion. A fight against Garry still looms, and it will be appointment viewing to see if Buckley can insert himself in the title picture in 2025.
5: Dricus du Plessis, UFC
Defeated Sean Strickland at UFC 297; defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 305
Any remaining doubt has been removed from Dricus du Plessis’ UFC run.
After defeating Sean Strickland by a razor thin margin, du Plessis defended the title in a massive bout against Israel Adesanya. He won via submission, showcasing another weapon in his arsenal.
A rematch with Strickland is next for DDP. If he can get the unorthodox opponent for a second time, this past year could prove to be the beginning of a very long title reign.
4: Alexandre Pantoja, UFC
Defeated Steve Erceg at UFC 301; defeated Kai Asakura at UFC 310
The new king of the flyweights has a problem: he is running short on opponents.
Alexandre Pantoja is completely overwhelming whoever stands across from him. This past year, it was unheralded Steve Erceg–who had the bout seemingly won entering the last round, until Pantoja ripped victory from the jaws of defeat with a spectacular fifth–and then Rizin star Kai Asakura, who was supposed to be a step better than Pantoja. That wasn’t the case, with Pantoja outsmarting his lightning fast opponent and securing the victory in relatively easy fashion with a rear naked choke in the second round.
Pantoja wants a fight against the great Demetrious Johnson, but DJ quickly noted he prefers retirement. That is smart–it is best to steer clear of the most dominant flyweight in the world.
3: Alex Pereira, UFC
Defeated Jamahal Hill at UFC 300; defeated Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303; defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307
The improbable rise of Alex Pereira continues.
If anyone tells you that Pereira’s success in the UFC was expected, it’s revisionist. The former GLORY kickboxing star came into the Octagon with no fanfare, and then shocked everyone by winning nine of his 10 bouts in the UFC.
Pereira collected three of those victories in 2024. First he reminded Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka that the light heavyweight division runs solely through him–and he then won an all-out battle against Khalil Rountree Jr.
Somehow, Pereira keeps getting better, finding new ways to win. In a short time, he has engraved himself into the conversation as one of the most compelling fighters in UFC history.
2: Ilia Topuria, UFC
Defeated Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298; defeated Max Holloway at UFC 308
Ilia Topuria defeated the longtime kingpins of the featherweight division in 2024, knocking out both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
Neither was a fluke. Topuria possesses the best standup game in all of the UFC, and that was on display in those two bouts. It made no difference that he was largely unproven and untested entering the fight against Volkanovski. Topuria was a step ahead before knocking out Volkanovski, and Holloway was also overmatched.
Topuria seems intent on changing divisions and winning more gold, but it would be outstanding to see him run through all the top featherweight contenders in 2025.
Fighter of the Year: Merab Dvalishvili, UFC
Defeated Henry Cejudo at UFC 298; defeated Sean O’Malley at UFC 306
Merab Dvalishvili defeated the past and present of the bantamweight division in 2024.
In 2025, he’ll look to thwart the future when he faces the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. This past year, he powered his way past former Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo, then drowned Sean O’Malley with his suffocating style.
Only one year ago, the fight world was enamored with O’Malley–and for good reason. But Dvalishvili methodically tore him apart at the Sphere, using his speed to ensure that O’Malley wouldn’t be able to land any shot of significance. That was exactly how the fight unfolded, and the win finally allowed Dvalishvili to taste UFC gold.
His style isn’t the flashiest, but the results speak for themselves. In 2024, there was no one more impressive than Dvalishvili.