Top 3 best UFC fighters of 2025

Here are the top 3 best UFC fighters of this year as 2025 is getting closer to winding down. You can also hear about it on my afterhours show, Fights and Beats with Whitehawk on NR92. Where fight fans don’t miss out on any of the talk or action.

Alex Pereira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former kickboxer who made a significant impact in the UFC. He gained fame not only for his striking skills but also for his past rivalry with Israel Adesanya, which has added a lot of drama and excitement to his UFC career. Before transitioning to MMA, Pereira was a dominant force in kickboxing. He is a two-time Glory Kickboxing World Middleweight Champion and holds notable wins over other kickboxing legends, including a victory over Israel Adesanya in 2017 at Glory of Heroes 7. That knockout victory was a pivotal moment, and it set the stage for their rivalry to carry over into MMA. UFC 281: Pereira faced Israel Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship. In a dramatic fight, Pereira won by TKO in the fifth round, taking the title from Adesanya. Their rivalry came full circle, as Pereira had defeated Adesanya in their previous kickboxing encounters, and this was seen as the third chapter in their saga. Pereira is widely regarded for his striking, with a strong foundation in kickboxing. His precision and power in the stand-up game, especially his ability to close distance with explosive left hooks, have made him a dangerous opponent. Though his grappling and wrestling are still developing, he’s shown solid takedown defense and has maintained a fearsome reputation on the feet. He recently defeated Magomed Ankalaev to recapture the light heavyweight title. A truly fearsome fighter and one of the best in the UFC this year.

Islam Makhachev is a mixed martial artist from Dagestan and one of the most dominant fighters in modern UFC history. A lifelong practitioner of combat sambo, he built his style around elite wrestling, suffocating top control, and high-level submissions. Known for his calm, technical approach, he is widely regarded as the successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s grappling legacy. Makhachev rose through the UFC lightweight division with an exceptional win streak, eventually capturing the UFC Lightweight Championship by defeating Charles Oliveira. He successfully defended the title in high-profile bouts, showcasing not only grappling superiority but also increasingly sharp striking. Later, he moved to welterweight, where he continued to prove his versatility and championship-level skill. Respected for his discipline fight IQ, Islam Makhachev is considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters of his era and a defining figure in the continued dominance of Dagestani athletes in MMA. He recently just became a two-time division champion in the UFC by defeating Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Showing why he’s one of the best UFC fighters this year.

Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian-American mixed martial artist known for his relentless pressure, elite cardio, and record-breaking takedown pace in the UFC bantamweight division. Born in Vani, Georgia, he moved to the United States in his early 20s to pursue MMA, eventually joining the Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York. Nicknamed “The Machine,” Dvalishvili built his style on judo, sambo, and relentless wrestling, overwhelming opponents with constant movement and grappling. After climbing the UFC rankings with a long win streak, he captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship, becoming one of the most dominant wrestlers in the division’s history. Known for his durability, work ethic, and humble personality, he is celebrated as a national sports hero in Georgia and a respected champion in the global MMA community. The best train with him and say he’s an absolute beast to go against so it’s no wonder he has the reputation he does in the fight game. With wins over Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen alone this year, it’s no wonder he’s one of the best.

And there you have it. The UFC’s top 3 best fighters of this year. Keep an eye out for these 3 specifically as they perform the way they know best!

Internal image by: Katlin Whitehawk

Header image by: Katlin Whitehawk

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