2024 MMA All-Star Staff: Who had been probably the most violent fighters in every weight class this 12 months?

The MMA All-Star Staff is again!

2024 is within the books, and it was a fairly nice 12 months by way of MMA. Tons of violent knockouts, slick submissions, and back-and-forth wars made up the previous 12 months, and so, as we’ve taken to doing the previous few years, it’s time to have fun the 36 fighters who contributed most to our enjoyment this 12 months.

The idea is easy: The three fighters in every weight class who had the perfect 12 months primarily based on pleasure, exercise, and accomplishment. We’re not simply speaking about who’re the perfect fighters, however which fighters delivered probably the most leisure all year long. Losses aren’t essentially disqualifying (as long as the struggle was nice), and neither are choices (as long as they weren’t boring).

As all the time, this concept was originated by the nice Jordan Breen, who used to do an “All-Violence Staff” for Sherdog. Shout out to him.

Each different main sport has an All-Professional or All-Star workforce, and that is ours. Welcome to the 2024 All-Violence workforce.

Heavyweight

First Staff: Denis Goltsov.

Fairly presumably my favourite fighter I get to have fun this 12 months. Thrice earlier than this 12 months, Goltsov made it to the PFL heavyweight match solely to lose in heartbreaking vogue, however 2024 was totally different. Not solely did Goltsov lastly recover from the hump to win the title and the $1 million prize, however he did it in fashion, with 4 finishes this 12 months, three within the first spherical. Congrats and well-deserved!

Second Staff: Marcin Tybura.

And after Goltsov, the standard undeniably drops off. Merely put, a variety of heavyweights (and staples of this listing) weren’t very lively in 2024, combating solely a few times. Tybura was the exception although, with three fights, two wins, two finishes, and one Efficiency of the Evening bonus to his credit score. Tybura even will get a little bit further love as a result of in his loss, he did get completed, which means you bought bang on your buck when the large man fought this 12 months.

Third Staff: Kennedy Nzechukwu.

Nzechukwu made his heavyweight debut this 12 months, and whereas he didn’t precisely struggle the steepest competitors, the person I’ve affectionately dubbed “Kenny Nunchucks” did go away fairly an impression. Two fights, two first-round finishes, and a Efficiency of the Evening bonus are ok to take dwelling Third-Staff honors in a down 12 months.

Honorable Mentions: Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Mick Parkin, Oleg Popov, Phil De Fries, Tim Johnson.

Gentle heavyweight

First Staff: Alex Pereira.

That is Pereira’s second time as a First-Staff All-Star, and he turns into the primary two-weight All-Star, as “Poatan” was the middleweight First-Teamer in 2022. And actually, might there be some other alternative for this 12 months?

Pereira was very practically the general Fighter of the 12 months in 2024, and with three profitable title defenses, three knockouts (together with a few Knockout of the 12 months contenders), a Efficiency of the Evening, and a Battle of the Evening, Pereira was automated.

Second Staff: Zhang Mingyang.

The rarest factor in all of MMA is a real gentle heavyweight prospect, however Zhang seems to be simply that. Solely 26 years previous, Zhang made his UFC debut this 12 months and delivered. Two first-round knockouts, two Efficiency of the Evening bonuses, what extra might you ask for from “Mountain Tiger”?

Third Staff: Dominick Reyes.

Welcome again, Mr. Reyes!

Heading into 2024, Reyes was a cautionary story in MMA about how one dangerous break might upend a whole profession. On a four-fight shedding skid, Reyes seemed to be executed as a fighter, a tragic ending for the person who ought to have overwhelmed Jon Jones. However “The Devastator” discovered a approach to flip again the clock this 12 months, and with back-to-back stoppage wins over Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith, he grabs the Third-Staff spot.

Honorable Mentions: Artem Vakhitov, Bogdan Guskov, Bruno Lopes, Carlos Ulberg, Dovlet Yagshimuradov, Ibo Aslan, Impa Kasanganay, Magomed Ankalaev, Navajo Stirling, Oumar Sy, Rafal Haratyk.

Middleweight

First Staff: Dricus du Plessis.

“DDP” was No. 3 in our Fighter of the 12 months rankings, and it’s straightforward to see why: taking the middleweight title from Sean Strickland in a Battle of the Evening efficiency after which submitting Israel Adesanya in his first title protection (the No. 3 Submission of the 12 months) is a rattling nice 2024 run.

That is du Plessis’s first First-Staff inclusion and second All-Star inclusion, as he was the middleweight Second-Teamer in 2023.

Second Staff: Shara “Bullet” Magomedov.

Whereas du Plessis bought the nod for First Staff primarily based on the standard of opposition and significance, Magomedov has an actual case for the highest spot. Three wins, two knockouts, two Efficiency bonuses, one Battle of the Evening, and top-of-the-line knockouts of the 12 months, Bullet was must-see TV each time he stepped within the cage in 2024.

Third Staff: Caio Borralho.

The competitors was fierce at middleweight, however Borralho narrowly edges out Anthony Hernandez by advantage of superior high quality of competitors. Each males had two wins and two bonuses this 12 months (Borralho a Efficiency and a Battle of the Evening, Hernandez two Efficiency bonuses), however Borralho’s win over Jared Cannonier is the perfect of the bunch, and that has to depend for one thing.

Honorable Mentions: Anthony Hernandez, Bruno Ferreira, Gerald Meerschaert, Mansur Abdul-Malik, Michel Pereira, Nassourdine Imavov, Reiner de Ridder.

Welterweight

First Staff: Carlos Prates.

One other automated alternative. It’s wild to suppose that 2024 was Prates’s UFC debut as a result of he did a lot this 12 months. 4 fights, 4 finishes, 4 Efficiency bonuses, and a UFC rating is how you place collectively top-of-the-line rookie years of all-time and cement your self as one of the crucial thrilling fighters within the sport.

Second Staff: Joaquin Buckley.

In some other 12 months, Buckley is the runaway winner for First-Staff honors. 4 wins, three finishes (throughout ranked opposition), and one Efficiency of the Evening bonus is an unbelievable 12 months. If the reduce stoppage hadn’t robbed Buckley of the possibility to get a extra authoritative win over Colby Covington, possibly that’s sufficient to get him over Prates, however alas, the MMA Gods had different concepts.

Third Staff: Shamil Musaev.

Musaev made his PFL debut in 2024 and instantly proved why many take into account him to be top-of-the-line welterweights alive. 4 wins, three finishes, and the PFL championship (and a $1 million prize) signifies that there aren’t many 170-pounders who had a greater 12 months than “The Silent Murderer.”

Honorable Mentions: Carlos Leal, Charles Radtke, Lorenz Larkin, Magomed Umalatov, Michael Chiesa, Muslim Salikhov, Randy Brown, Sam Patterson, Themba Gorimbo

Light-weight

First Staff: Renato Moicano.

Moicano broke out as a star each for his in-cage performances and his post-fight interviews. However the in-cage is de facto the place he shined as “Cash” was simply that, selecting up three high quality wins, together with two one-sided whoopings of top-15 lightweights. That final half is what barely places Moicano over the sting as a result of, although he bought no bonuses, he completely dominated superb opposition in 2024.

Second Staff: Esteban Ribovics.

Ribovics was a hair away from taking First-Staff honors this 12 months, however there’s nothing incorrect with Second-Staff after we’re speaking concerning the light-weight division. In 2024, Ribovics scored a 37-second head kick knockout of 2022 All-Star Terrance McKinney (that by some means didn’t earn him a Efficiency bonus), after which he adopted it up by profitable a choice over Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306 in top-of-the-line fights of the 12 months. An unbelievable 12 months.

Third Staff: Dustin Poirier.

Some of the thrilling fighters in MMA historical past, that is Poirier’s first All-Star workforce solely as a result of we haven’t executed them lengthy sufficient. And if “The Diamond” actually is near hanging up the gloves, I’m pleased to have him make it this 12 months as a result of he undoubtedly earned it.

Poirier was one-half of two of the perfect fights of the 12 months (towards Benoit Saint Denis and Islam Makhachev), for which he received two Battle of the Evening awards, plus his comeback KO over Saint Denis was top-of-the-line knockouts of the 12 months. That’s fairly the run.

Honorable Mentions: Chase Hooper, Gadzhi Rabadanov, Ignacio Bahamondes, Jim Miller, Joel Alvarez, Ludovit Klein, Mansour Barnaoui, Paul Hughes, Salahdine Parnasse.

Featherweight

First Staff: Ilia Topuria.

As with Pereira, this was automated. Topuria deserved his flowers as a result of he had arguably the best two-fight run in MMA historical past. Not solely did he rating two knockout wins, profitable the featherweight title and defending it, and incomes two bonuses, he did it by beating two of the 15 finest fighters to ever lace up gloves. Topuria’s win over Alexander Volkanovski and turning into the primary individual to complete Max Holloway with strikes had been each A+ knockouts. A merely preposterous run from “El Matador.”

Second Staff: Diego Lopes

A 2023 All-Star First-Teamer, Lopes’s 2024 was equally as spectacular, with three spectacular wins. First, Lopes ran by Sodiq Yusuff in April, then he fought Dan Ige on about 4 hours’ discover and took a choice earlier than he ended the 12 months with a drubbing of Brian Ortega to place himself in line for a featherweight title shot. Sure, the bonuses and finishes weren’t the identical as he earned in 2023, however Lopes nonetheless delivered the products this 12 months.

Third Staff: Youssef Zalal.

Zalal narrowly edges out Jean Silva for Third-Staff honors as each males had sensational 2024 campaigns, however Zalal’s occurred totally at 145 kilos, whereas Silva missed weight and fought up a weight class one time. So whereas Silva’s rookie 12 months was implausible, Zalal’s three submission wins and two Efficiency bonuses are sufficient to bump “Lord” right down to the Honorable Mentions class.

Honorable Mentions: Aljamain Sterling, Brendan Loughnane, Doo Ho Choi, Felipe Lima, Hyder Amil, Jean Silva, Julian Erosa, Movsar Evloev, Sean Woodson, Steve Garcia, Timur Khizriev.

Bantamweight

First Staff: Merab Dvalishvili.

Maybe a controversial alternative as a result of Dvalishvili not solely didn’t discover a end in 2024, however he very hardly ever finishes folks in any respect. Regardless of that, it’s onerous to argue towards Dvalishvili as an All-Star this 12 months given his two extremely dominant performances towards top-level opponents. Dvalishvili was one of many 10 finest fighters of 2024, and so, in a fairly weak 12 months for Violence contenders, “The Machine” did sufficient to say his spot.

Second Staff: Deiveson Figueiredo.

“Figgy Smalls” didn’t finish 2024 how he needed — shedding a choice to Petr Yan — however that ought to solely mildly detract from what was nonetheless a stellar marketing campaign. Submitting Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300 was an amazing begin, after which wailing on Marlon Vera in August put Figueiredo in prime place for a title run. And whereas he fell brief towards Yan, it was a hell of a struggle, and so Figueiredo earns Second-Staff honors.

Third Staff: Payton Talbott.

It seems to be like there’s likelihood that Talbott goes to be a repeat buyer on these lists. He formally made his UFC debut final 12 months, however Talbott started to actually escape in 2024 with two brutal finishes that earned him two Efficiency of the Evening bonuses. Nonetheless solely 26 years previous, if Talbott had fought as soon as extra in 2024, he could properly have discovered himself atop this listing.

Honorable Mentions: Ali Taleb, Cameron Smotherman, Cody Haddon, Marcus McGhee, Petr Yan, Raul Rosas Jr., Umar Nurmagomedov, Vince Morales, Vinicius Oliveira.

Flyweight

First Staff: Alexandre Pantoja.

One other candidate for 2024’s Fighter of the 12 months, this was the time when Pantoja lastly established himself as an plain power. Two dominant wins in each of his title defenses, one end that earned a Efficiency of the Evening bonus, and he headlined two pay-per-view playing cards, all whereas cementing himself because the second-best flyweight to ever lace up gloves. And when Demetrious Johnson is the highest man, second-best ain’t half dangerous.

Additionally necessary to notice, Pantoja is the one repeat First-Staff All-Star this 12 months and the primary fighter to ever repeat as a First-Teamer in back-to-back years. Are you able to say dynasty?

Second Staff: Charles Johnson.

I’ve bought to be sincere with you; I by no means noticed this one coming. Johnson’s early UFC profession was removed from promising on the subject of pleasure, however in 2024, “InnerG” flipped the script fully. 4 fights, 4 wins, one Battle of the Evening, and one Efficiency of the Evening has Johnson within the top-15, and immediately, he’s a fighter you wish to see step into the cage. Unimaginable turnaround and an unbelievable 12 months.

Third Staff: Brandon Royval.

This was a toss-up between Royval and Tatsuro Taira, and so the benefit went to the winner of their struggle. 2024 was not Royval’s most enjoyable 12 months, however it might have been his finest as he upset Brandon Moreno in a really enjoyable scrap to kick issues off, then took dwelling the win and Battle of the Evening honors when he put a beating on Taira in October.

Honorable Mentions: Andre Lima, Asu Almabayev, DongHun Choi, Joshua Van, Lone’er Kavanagh, Manel Kape, Muhammad Mokaev, Tatsuro Taira.

Ladies’s Bantamweight

First Staff: Macy Chiasson.

You received’t discover a ladies’s 135er who had a greater 12 months than Chiasson. The previous Final Fighter winner had a breakout 12 months in 2024, scoring two stoppage wins over ranked opponents and taking dwelling two Efficiency of the Evening bonuses for her troubles.

Second Staff: Kayla Harrison.

Ladies’s bantamweight is all the time a tricky division, and there simply aren’t that many fights that happen. Nonetheless, with two wins in 2024 and one end (and maybe extra impressively, even making 135 kilos), Harrison makes her return to the All-Star workforce, transferring from an At-Massive bid to divisional Second-Teamer.

Third Staff: Raquel Pennington.

“Rocky” began 2024 off sizzling by lastly profitable the bantamweight title, however sadly for Pennington, a questionable scorecard led to her shedding the belt to Julianna Peña in her first protection. Had Pennington rightfully received the struggle, she would probably be increased on this listing, however nonetheless, two title fights, one win, and stable performances throughout are sufficient to make it to the Third Staff in a weak division.

Honorable Mentions: Ailin Perez, Beatriz Mesquita, Jacqueline Cavalcanti, Jennifer Maia, Kennedy Freeman.

Ladies’s Flyweight

First Staff: Dakota Ditcheva.

If we gave out a ladies’s Fighter of the 12 months, Ditcheva can be it. 4 fights, 4 wins, 4 finishes, a PFL title, and a extra importantly, dominant performances. Ditcheva beat the soul off everybody she fought this 12 months, incomes her spot among the many finest pound-for-pound ladies within the sport. It was a monster 12 months for the budding star.

Additionally value noting, Ditcheva is the primary individual to ever make three straight All-Star groups. She was a Third-Teamer in 2022 after which a Second-Teamer final 12 months, so whereas Pantoja has the back-to-back firsts on her, Ditcheva can also be doing one thing particular.

Second Staff: Jasmine Jasudavicius.

Since becoming a member of the UFC from The Contender Collection, Jasudavicius has struggled to construct momentum. Till 2024.

Three fights, three wins, and two D’Arce chokes that earned her two Efficiency of the Evening bonuses, Jasudavicius earned herself a UFC rating and has her as one to look at heading into 2025.

Third Staff: Gabriella Fernandes.

Arduous to think about a much bigger swing in momentum than Fernandes had in 2024. “Gabi” made her UFC debut in 2023 and went 0-2, however this 12 months she fully modified issues up, profitable a break up choice and Battle of the Evening honors towards Carli Judice in June earlier than placing Cong Wang to sleep in one of many greatest upsets ever, incomes her a Efficiency of the Evening bonus.

Honorable Mentions: Cheyanne Bowers, Cong Wang, Liz Carmouche, Miranda Maverick, Natalia Silva, Paulina Wisniewska, Rin Nakai, Rose Namajunas, Taila Santos.

Strawweight

First Staff: Gillian Robertson.

In a surprisingly quiet 12 months for many strawweights, Robertson was the exception. Robertson fought thrice in 2024 (plus a foray into Karate Fight), selecting up three wins, with one Efficiency of the Evening profitable submission over Polyana Viana.

Second Staff: Jacqueline Amorim.

Amorim made her UFC debut final 12 months, going simply 1-1, however 2024 proved to be a happier 12 months for her as “Jacque” picked up two first-round armbar wins over Cory McKenna and Vanessa Demopoulos, the previous of which received her a Efficiency of the Evening bonus.

Third Staff: Virna Jandiroba.

There’s an argument that Jandiroba deserves to be increased on the listing as her wins had been extra significant, however Third-Staff nonetheless isn’t dangerous, and it’s definitely deserved. A transparent unanimous choice win over Crazy Godinez in March, then a Efficiency bonus profitable armbar of Amanda Lemos in July, set Jandiroba up for an enormous struggle towards Tatiana Suarez at UFC 310, just for that to get taken away from her when Suarez bought a title shot as a substitute.

Honorable Mentions: Ayaka Miura, Denise Gomes, Gabriela Fujimoto, Ketlen Souza, Ming Shi, Tabatha Ricci, Valesca Machado.

At-Massive Bids

First Staff: Max Holloway.

This part is generally reserved for a mixture of ladies’s atomweight and featherweights, however I’m making an exception this 12 months. For one, there aren’t a variety of nice choices in both weight class, and for 2, have a look at that photograph and inform me I’m incorrect.

Holloway fought at each light-weight and featherweight this 12 months, and his light-weight struggle was top-of-the-line, most memorable of all time. The 24-minute and 59-second struggle he had with Justin Gaethje supplied top-of-the-line fights and craziest knockouts in historical past to not point out one of the crucial iconic moments ever. That’s greater than sufficient for an All-Star allowance.

Second Staff: Seika Izawa.

Merely put, Izawa is the perfect atomweight on Earth and top-of-the-line feminine fighters on the earth. Nonetheless solely 27, Izawa stays undefeated, and in 2024, she added to her streak with a submission win over Si Yoon Park and a choice win over Kanna Asakura. Final 12 months’s First-Teamer drops to the Second-Staff due to Holloway’s insane ‘BMF’ efficiency.

Third Staff: Cris Cyborg.

I hardly ever embody fighters who solely fought as soon as in these lists, however that is one other occasion the place I’m making an exception. Cyborg’s battle with Larissa Pacheco at PFL Battle of Giants was spectacular, and if we give her a small bump for 2 knockout wins in boxing, I’m comfy having one of many biggest feminine fighters ever take Third-Staff honors.

Honorable Mentions: Ana Palacios, Michelle Montague, Moeri Suda, Rena Kabuto, Saori Oshima,

And that’s it! Congratulations to all of the alternatives, and hopefully 2025 can be simply nearly as good!