Summary
Poatan attacks Ankalaev in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
The year 2025 brought a series of great performances for fans of the world's largest MMA organization. Amidst so many impeccable performances, the SUPER FIGHTS decided to list which athletes managed to stand out through their activities inside the most famous octagon on the planet. Including rising stars such as Carlos Prates even for established champions like Alex PoatánThe year was undoubtedly marked by great performances.
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The voting process was as follows: each team member created an individual top 5, knowing that first place would be worth 5 points, second place 4 points, and so on. With all votes tallied, the points were added up to determine the final top 5. SUPER FIGHTS. Let's get to the list!
Honorable mentions SUPER FIGHTS
Before we move on to the Top 5, it's important to highlight other wrestlers who had solid performances but didn't receive enough votes to make the final list. These include: Kahmzat Chimaev, who dominated. Dricus Du Plessis No. UFC 319 and became the middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg); Vadim nemkov, which ended Renan Problem and won the PFL heavyweight title (up to 120,2 kg).
In addition to them, we also have Merab Dvalishvili when winning Umar Nurmagomedov in the first numbered event of the year and ending his rival's undefeated streak, in addition to his performance against Sean O'Malley in the rematch for the bantamweight title (up to 61,2 kg); and finally, the gala performance of Valentina Shevchenko against Weili Zhang in the co-main clash of UFC 322.
5) Carlos Prates vs. Geoff Neal (5 points)
Carlos Prates won Geoff neal No. UFC 319. Photo: Reproduction/X.
We open the top 5 with a great Brazilian victory. A star of Fighting Nerds and one of the top title contenders for 2026, Carlos Prates He became the first to beat the veteran. Geoff Neal by knockout No. UFC 319And what a knockout! In the last second of the first round, the Nightmare landed a spectacular spinning elbow. The victory secured another Performance of the Night award for the São Paulo native and guaranteed him a fight against the former champion. Leon edwards Three months later.
4) Islam Makhachev x Jack Della Maddalena (7 points)
Islam makhachev in victory against Jack Della Maddalena. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.
Although it wasn't a very exciting fight, the victory of Islam makhachev against Jack Della Maddalena No. UFC 322 That was enough to secure fourth place on our list. After establishing himself as the longest-reigning lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg) in Ultimate history, the Russian ventured into the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg) and, without taking risks, controlled the Australian for 25 minutes to become the new king of the category. By the end of 2025, he will be ranked first in the world pound-for-pound rankings.
3) Ilia Topuria x Charles do Bronx (20 points)
Ilia Topuria won Charles of the Bronx No. UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.
The main fight of UFC 317 It didn't bring good emotions to the Brazilian audience. However, the team of SUPER FIGHTS could not help but praise the achievement of Ilia TopuriaShorter and lighter, the Georgian/Spanish fighter made history by knocking out... Charles of the Bronx Still in the first round, he became the new lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg). Despite the size difference, he withstood the Brazilian's main blows without difficulty, took risks on the ground, and finished his rival with a powerful right straight.
2) Petr Yan x Merab Dvalishvili II (26 points)
Petr yan in victory against Merab Dvalishvili No. UFC 323. Photo: Reproduction/X.
Petr yan He surprised most fans and the media by interrupting one of the longest winning streaks in history and regaining the bantamweight title (up to 61,2 kg) at the last numbered event of 2025. Even though he had been defeated by... Merab Dvalishvili In their first encounter, the rematch took a completely different turn. Besides defending most of Yan's takedown attempts, he punished his opponent on his feet and emerged victorious by unanimous decision in a memorable performance.
1) Alex Poatan x Magomed Ankalaev II (33 points)
Poatan dances with his UFC team. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
The top spot couldn't have been any different. With 33 votes, the performance of Alex Poatán in the main fight of UFC 320 against Magomed Ankalaev she was chosen by the team SUPER FIGHTS As the best of the year. If in the first fight the Brazilian ended up being dominated and losing the light heavyweight title (up to 93 kg), he simply made short work of the Russian in the rematch. With a knockout in the first minutes of the duel, he regained the crown and can now seek to expand his territory in the weight class above. We'll see how things will be in 2026.
😱 Alex Pereira landed BIG right hand to start his finishing sequence of Magomed Ankalayev.
Three-time champion ✅ 🏆
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 5, 2025
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