Predictions Roundtable: Who will win Fighter of the Year in 2025?

2024 is formally within the books, which suggests we stand on the precipice of one other huge yr in MMA. What is going to occur? Your guess is nearly as good as ours. If there’s one factor this sport has confirmed repeatedly, it’s that nobody is aware of something. However be that as it could, we’re nonetheless going to attempt to predict among the huge storylines that can unfold in MMA over the following 12 months.

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

1. Who would be the 2025 Fighter of the 12 months?

Mike Heck: For individuals who have adopted my work over the previous seven or eight years, you in all probability know the place I’m going with this: It’s Arman Tsarukyan

Am I assured on this choose contemplating he’s about to face the very best fighter on Planet Earth in about 20 days from now? In fact not, however I’m as soon as once more pushing the entire chips in the midst of the desk for a man I predicted could be the UFC light-weight champ earlier than he even entered the promotion.

Let’s be clear: if Tsarukyan pulls this off on Jan. 18, and captures the hardest title in all of MMA to win, it’s going to take one thing very particular to overhaul simply that one victory, not to mention what a title protection would carry to the desk — and there will probably be not less than one protection if not two.

Damon Martin: There are a whole lot of potentialities, however the one who is likely to be finest positioned to say that award is none apart from UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

In most years, beating Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya could be sufficient to enter the Fighter of the 12 months dialog, however du Plessis gained each of these fights in 2024 when Ilia Topuria was vanquishing arguably two of the best featherweights in historical past, and Alex Pereira was doing Alex Pereira issues. But when du Plessis can kick off 2025 with a repeat win over Strickland, after which hand Khamzat Chimaev his first loss, who wouldn’t be impressed by that?

Might he probably cap off the yr with a battle in opposition to Pereira? Even that appears considerably attainable.

Prefer it or not, champions at all times have a leg up on the competitors in the case of Fighter of the 12 months consideration, and du Plessis is about up for a probably big 2025. If he fights and defeats Chimaev in his native South Africa, it’s solely that a lot greater, so du Plessis will get the nod as a result of his yr is just about already set earlier than 2025 even will get began.

Jed Meshew: Let me begin by saying that Damon Martin is a sensible and good-looking man. I’ve at all times stated this, and I’m positively not simply saying this now as a result of I’ve additionally been championing Dricus du Plessis because the 2025 Fighter of the 12 months. All the things Damon stated is appropriate, and are available December, all of you’ll have to lastly settle for that DDP is a good fighter, even when he’s additionally type of a horrible one. He’s the very best.

Now, having stated that, it wouldn’t be a lot enjoyable for me to parrot Damon’s speaking factors, and there’s one other fighter who I consider can provide du Plessis a run for his cash: Umar Nurmagomedov.

I’ve been saying for a couple of years now that Nurmagomedov is the way forward for the bantamweight division, and in simply a few weeks he will get to show me proper. Nurmagomedov challenges Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title at UFC 311, and I consider he’ll take the belt and accomplish that handily. That’s a really robust begin to the yr and places him in nice place to defend his title two instances in 2025. And wouldn’t you already know it, there occur to be two big names to defend in opposition to!

Dvalishvili tried desperately to defend his belt in opposition to both Sean O’Malley or Petr Yan however in the end failed as a result of Nurmagomedov is the clear No. 1 contender and since each of these had been rematches. Umar gained’t have the identical points. When Nurmagomedov claims the title, I’d be shocked if the UFC doesn’t e-book a battle with O’Malley for the late spring or early summer season. as that’s huge enterprise. Then, after Umar whoops O’Malley, former champion Petr Yan will get his crack at Nurmagomedov.

Three title battle wins in 2025 over three huge names is about nearly as good of a yr as anybody can ask for, and Umar Nurmagomedov has an actual shot to tug that off and do one thing his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov by no means did: win Fighter of the 12 months.

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photos

2. Who would be the breakout fighter of 2025?

Heck: Talking of cashing in on future predictions, that is lastly going to be the yr we get a completely wholesome and energetic Montel Jackson within the octagon.

“Quik” has quietly put collectively one of many extra spectacular win streaks at 135 kilos with 5 — together with a sensational 18-second destruction of Da’Mon Blackshear in July — however this run has taken place over the previous practically 4 years.

The 32-year-old has the expertise, the precision, and the ability to make an enormous transfer at 135 in 2025; he simply must get within the cage and compete. Let’s throw Jackson in there with a super-tough out in Rob Font early in 2025 to see how he hangs. If he will get that victory, he might be a giant downside for the highest of one of many UFC’s deepest divisions.

Martin: There’s already a whole lot of hype surrounding Payton Talbott, however maybe 2025 is the yr when he graduates from prospect to contender.

Make no mistake, the 26-year-old has already been tabbed as a future champion, and his performances so far have been nothing wanting dominant. However right here’s hoping he will get a step up in competitors by the top of the yr to essentially start his ascent up the bantamweight ranks. He’s getting a veteran in Raoni Barcelos for his first battle in 2025, but when Talbott passes that take a look at, he ought to begin trying towards that high 15, and there’s every kind of potential for him there.

In all of the ways in which Raul Rosas Jr. was as soon as thought-about the longer term at 135 kilos, it’s Talbott who seems to be like a severe menace to make a run on the belt, maybe beginning along with his subsequent few performances. The important thing for Talbott is getting the possibility to face stiffer competitors, however he appears primed to move no matter take a look at the UFC throws at him.

Meshew: I desperately needed to choose my man Jean Silva right here, however he already type of broke out in 2024, so I don’t assume I can try this in good conscience. Luckily, there’s one other certainly one of my guys who’s poised to make severe noise in 2025: Lone’er Kavanagh.

Simply 25 years outdated, Kavanagh signed to the UFC off of the newest season of Contender Sequence and already made a profitable debut, successful a unanimous determination over Jose Ochoa. Belief me, that’s only the start for this child.

Kavanagh is among the finest prospects to ever come via Contender Sequence and might already compete with fighters within the high 15 at flyweight. You throw him in there in opposition to guys like Tim Elliott or Alex Perez, and he’s going to carry his personal, if not win. He has nasty energy for a flyweight, and insane poise for being as younger as he’s. Ought to he proceed to develop, that is somebody who will battle for a belt sooner or later. Plus, the person has that additional “it” issue that the UFC loves, so he’s going to get good alternatives to shine.

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

3. Daring Prediction for 2025

Heck: Conor McGregor goes to stroll that aisle a number of instances in 2025.

I do know, I can hear the collective gasps now. However my daring prediction is that McGregor goes to compete for the UFC twice this yr. Fairly frankly, it simply must occur — not only for followers of the game, however for McGregor himself.

Now let’s be 100% clear right here: The UFC has put themselves ready the place it completely, positively don’t want the previous two-division champion. These three letters are greater than he’s, and it hasn’t at all times been that manner. On the flip facet, McGregor wants the UFC extra — not as a result of he wants the cash, but when he needs to take bizarre boxing exhibitions, he wants its blessing. If he needs to maneuver on to different fight sports activities enterprise, McGregor wants to finish his contract.

McGregor will probably be 37 in July. The clock is ticking. He can battle Michael Chandler, possibly get the trilogy with Nate Diaz, or battle any person like a Max Holloway or one other enjoyable title that can get some buzz. McGregor must battle, discover a aggressive goal, and probably open some new doorways.

As Bon Jovi says within the tune It’s My Life, “it’s now or by no means.”

Martin: The UFC strikes to Netflix … and pay-per-views are a factor of the previous beginning in 2026.

Now, the UFC inking a broadcast cope with Netflix wouldn’t be all that stunning. That’s been a preferred prediction from many trade insiders who consider Netflix is poised to make a fair greater splash within the dwell sports activities market heading into 2025. The UFC is the one main sports activities product obtainable for the following three years till Main League Baseball comes due in 2028, so anticipate a complete lot of bidders to attempt to land a sport that takes place year-round, persistently produces strong scores, and nonetheless doesn’t value as a lot as leaping within the deep finish with the NFL or NBA.

Netflix has 283 plus million subscribers, however this firm realizes that churn is its best potential enemy. So, how do you retain these subscribers paying and add much more individuals to the underside line? You go after WWE (that relationship kicks off on Jan. 6), and then you definately go after the UFC and overpay for the privilege to place each single battle on Netflix with out an additional cost for subscribers. It’s not going to be low-cost, but when anyone has the deep pockets to tug that off, it’s Netflix.

The UFC’s unique negotiating window with ESPN runs out on April 15, and that’s when issues are going to get actually fascinating.

Meshew: We requested for daring predictions, and each Damon and Mike delivered. Positive, they weren’t as daring as saying World Combat League will get over or PFL lastly turns into the “co-leader,” however no person is that daring. Nonetheless, I’m going to up the ante a bit of right here: Dana White steps down as CEO of the UFC.

As Damon famous, the UFC’s broadcast deal will probably be resolved within the coming months, incomes the promotion billions of {dollars} and functionally establishing the UFC and TKO for the following few years. And as soon as that’s all stated and accomplished, what’s left for Dana White?

In 24 years, White (with a substantial quantity of assist from the Fertitta brothers) took a failing enterprise and turned it into one of many dominant sports activities entities on the planet, making more cash than god within the course of. He’s a modern-day oil baron, and there aren’t any extra worlds left to beat, no enemies to crush. Actually, wouldn’t this be the very best time to stroll away? On high of the world, having simply delivered UFC 300, The Sphere present, and essentially the most profitable TV rights deal within the historical past of the game?’

There’ll by no means be a greater time for Dana White to trip off into the sundown and spend all his power on PowerSlap. Or if that doesn’t attraction to him, his good pal is about to renew his function as President of america. How does Secretary of State Dana White sound?