2025 MMA Draft: With the No. 1 overall pick, the GFL takes …

The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday in Inexperienced Bay, Wis., and so within the spirit of the festivities, like we did final yr, and the yr earlier than, and the yr earlier than, the MMA Combating Crew is again to divvy up the very best fighters and largest stars on this planet of MMA.

For those who don’t keep in mind what occurred final yr, it’s easy: Alexander Okay. Lee, Damon Martin, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew take the reins of one of many 4 prime MMA promotions on this planet, after which draft their alternative of fighters to construct their franchises round. As soon as it’s all stated and performed, the nice 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 accessible 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’t compete for another MMA group. As an illustration, if you happen to draft Jon Jones, you run the chance of him failing a drug take a look at, getting arrested, or just not eager to combat.
3. The draft is seven rounds this yr (mirroring the NFL draft). On the finish of the train, any fighter who’s undrafted reverts to the corporate they’re at the moment underneath contract with.

Final yr, the MMA promotions had been BKFC, ONE Championship, PFL, KSW, and the UFC, with Heck’s BKFC roster rising because the winner. In fact, issues are barely totally different this yr as top-level MMA promotions proceed to fall off the face of the Earth, so now we have as soon as once more combined issues up. The UFC and PFL stay a part of the train, as does final yr’s winner, BKFC; nonetheless, ONE Championship is barely an MMA group anymore and KSW was a enjoyable embody final yr, however we determined it makes extra sense to incorporate the brand new child on the MMA block, GFL, particularly since this could be the one yr we are able to achieve this.

All basic managers have been randomly reassigned to new organizations, with Damon Martin taking on GFL, Alexander Okay. 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.

Bought it? Good. Let’s get drafting.

GFL: Conor McGregor

Martin: At GFL, we’re not attempting to create viral moments — we’re simply trying to placed on a single present! However with our first choose, none aside from Conor McGregor, which may really enable us to rise up and operating. Whereas most fighters who’re the No. 1 choose are in search of a giant contract, we’re hoping that Conor may be capable of float us a mortgage so we are able to 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 verify 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 more likely to be quick, so let’s carry 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 yr!” To which I reply, “Duh.” Mike and I had the identical technique final yr; he simply picked earlier than me and sniped all probably the most enjoyable fighters. Nicely, not this yr, child!

“Poatan” might not be a UFC champion, however that doesn’t matter in any respect to me and the nice 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: People, I’m not going to sugarcoat it—we’ve simply been cruising alongside and not using a fear on this planet, and we haven’t needed to strive in any respect. Sooner or later, the frustrations of our fan base are going to achieve a boiling level, and as we’re properly conscious, we’re getting shut. So we have to preserve the man with the very best ceiling on our complete roster, each in talent and star energy.

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

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

GFL: Jon Jones

Martin: No one does the draft higher than the GFL—simply take a look at the one we placed on beforehand! So with our second choice, we’re going after the best of all time. At 37, Jones continues to be just a little 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 in all probability 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 Combat Matrix???—and the way can we proceed to make that declare with out the Pound-for-Pound finest fighter on this planet, Islam Makhachev?

Frankly, he matches proper in with the preventing fashion 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 really 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 a giant 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 principally 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 record, Dakota Ditcheva is No. 1 on the must-have record.

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

Photograph by Maciej Gillert/Gallo Photos by way of Getty Photos Poland/Getty Photos

GFL: Francis Ngannou

Martin: With Tommy Aspinall off the board, we’ve bought to search out somebody for Jones to combat in his GFL debut (presumably the one combat he’ll have for the GFL), so we’re going again to the matchup everyone needed simply a few years in the past. He’s been out of sight, out of thoughts in PFL, however Ngannou continues to be one of the vital ferocious fighters on this planet, and placing him up towards Jones is precisely the sort of matchup we want.

PFL: Paddy Pimblett

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

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

We’ve bought the steak with Makhachev, and now now we have an entire lot of sizzle with the more and more common “Baddy” from Liverpool.

BKFC: Carlos Prates

Meshew: Look, are there “higher” fighters to choose right here? Most likely. However BKFC is as a lot a way of life 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 Purple 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 providers, 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 accurately (see draft choose No. 5, and apologies to KSW), and ensure everybody tunes in to look at.

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

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos

GFL: Ronda Rousey

Martin: Now I do know what you’re considering—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 sort of comeback. Certain, she hasn’t fought in 9 years, however that’s the sort of layoff that simply begs for a return to motion!

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

PFL: Jean Silva

Lee: Pay attention, I’m simply going to say it: For those who vote for GFL because the winner within the ballot under, you’re a unhealthy individual. Clarify your self within the feedback!

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

BKFC: Jiri Prochazka

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

Except for the Pudzianowski-Corridor combat (that Heck simply ruined!!!!!), there isn’t any 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 massive, violence weirdos collide. And now I can.

UFC: Dustin Poirier

Heck: There’s no method we’re permitting Dustin Poirier to have his remaining combat exterior 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 one in all them. Poirier vs. Holloway 3 is a becoming option to finish one of the vital enjoyable careers in UFC historical past, and it’ll occur in New Orleans.

Photograph by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos

GFL: Justin Gaethje

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

PFL: Khamzat Chimaev

Lee: Khamzat Chimaev, I can’t stop you.

For the second yr in a row, I’m rolling the cube on a man who could be the very best fighter on this planet? 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 yearly anyway, so our schedules line up completely!

BKFC: Mike Perry

Meshew: Look, is it doable that this can be 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’t afford to lose the face of our promotion. Mike Perry helped construct us into what we’re in the present day, and he stays the right avatar for what bare-knuckle preventing is all about.

UFC: Eddie Corridor

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

Photograph by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

GFL: Gina Carano

Martin: The steal of the draft! Technically, Gina Carano by no means retired, so she’s brisker than Rousey proper now (regardless of not competing for nearly 16 years). Carano practically plotted her comeback a couple of years in the past when she bought deep into talks with the UFC a couple of potential showdown towards Rousey. Nicely, potential is all we’ve bought 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 will’t fully 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 more likely to come off the board, the enigmatic Oumar Kane, a.okay.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 (by way of a extremely questionable cut up resolution, however nonetheless). It’s a disgrace he hasn’t fought since, however we’re ready to supply him a large Aspinall matchup straight away.

BKFC: Jose Aldo

Meshew: It is a choose for me.

I’ve nothing however love for *ahem* The Best Featherweight of All Time, and contemplate it a travesty how the UFC is reserving him in the course of the golden years of his profession. Luckily, 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 best fighters to ever stay can do with a remaining 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 this planet proper now.

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

Photograph by Chris Unger/Getty Photos

GFL: Nate Diaz

Martin: We’ve bought to shut down issues sturdy, and there could also be no higher option to get Conor to provide us entry to his checking account than lastly establishing a rubber match with him towards outdated rival Nate Diaz. Their preliminary encounters had been two of the biggest-selling UFC exhibits of all time, and who’s not going to look at a 3rd? Plus, Diaz turned 40 this yr, 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 doable makes me so indignant.

We’re going method exterior the field for our final choose with quite a few champions, stars, and PFL names I ought to in all probability be defending nonetheless on the board, however hear me out: We get Themba Gorimbo and we get The Rock. You may not notice they’re friends since they by no means discuss it (smirk emoji).

The League is all about producing mainstream buzz, and what higher method than to get Dwayne Johnson on our aspect to advertise the inspiring story of his buddy Themba. And if there’s one factor we find out 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 arms)!

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 properly. 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 an exquisite backup plan.

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

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

Last 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 Okay. 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