As the year is nearing its end, we take a look back at the list of the top 10 fighters who had an unforgettable 2024!
2024 has been an exciting year for UFC fans. The year was filled with jaw-dropping performances, unexpected upsets, and standout moments that have shaped the landscape of the sport.
As fans look back at the top 10 fighters who made a major impact this year, they see a mix of familiar faces and rising stars who have captured the spotlight. Some of these fighters are already household names, while others are lesser-known talents who made a name for themselves with breakout performances.
As the year is nearing its end, we take a look back at the list of the top 10 fighters who had an unforgettable 2024.
10. Nassourdine Imavov
Nassourdine Imavov has quickly become one of the top contenders in the UFC middleweight division. With a professional record of 15-4-0 (1 NC), the French-born Russian has made a name for himself through his dynamic striking and solid grappling.
In February, Imavov secured a unanimous decision win over Roman Dolidze at UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov. Later in June, at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Imavov, he scored a spectacular fourth-round TKO win over Jared Cannonier.
His year also saw a dominant unanimous decision win against Brendan Allen in September. Looking ahead, Imavov is primed for a major 2025, with a potential showdown against Israel Adesanya in February.
9. Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano is known for his solid grappling and ever-improving stand-up game. With a record of 20-5-1, Moicano has earned a reputation for being tough and versatile. He has solid grappling skills, averaging 1.87 takedowns per 15 minutes. Although his striking defense can sometimes leave openings, Moicano’s clinch and submission skills have helped him maintain his competitive edge.
Despite being in the UFC since 2014, Moicano had a strong resurgence in 2024. He started the year with a dominant UD win against Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov in February. This was followed by an impressive knockout victory over Jalin Turner at UFC 300 in April, where Moicano sealed the win with a clean punch in the second round despite being in trouble earlier in the fight.
His momentum continued later in the year, with a knockout win against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint-Denis in September. He finished the French fighter in the second round, leaving him bloodied up. He is set to face Beneil Dariush at UFC 311.
8. Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov
Shara Magomedov is a rising star in the UFC middleweight division with an undefeated record of 15-0-0. Standing 6’2 and hailing from Dagestan, Magomedov is surprisingly a dynamic striker. Even more surprising is that he has no takedown attempts in his career, his takedown defense stands at an impressive 71%.
2024 has been nothing short of dominant for the one-eyed fighter. In June, he faced off against Antonio Trocoli at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov, delivering a stunning knockout with punches in the third round. Following that, he earned a unanimous decision victory over Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov in August.
Magomedov then took on fellow Russian Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308. He finished the fight with a stunning double backfist KO in the second round. His next big challenge is on the horizon, with a high-profile matchup against Michael ‘Venom’ Page set for February 2025.
7. Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates has been making waves in the UFC with an impressive string of performances in 2024. Standing at 6’1″ with a reach of 78 inches, Prates is a dynamic fighter who has shown versatility in his striking and defense.
In 2024, ‘The Nightmare’ has been on an absolute tear, earning four notable victories over high-profile opponents. His first win of the year came in February against Trevin Giles at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer, where he secured a second-round KO with a punch.
He followed up with a first round knee knockout of Charles Radtke in June, and a second-round punch knockout of Li Jingliang at UFC 305 in August. Most recently, Prates faced Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates in November, where he finished the fight with a brutal first-round knockout in just 4:50.
Also Read: Check Out The Most Anticipated UFC Fights for 2025
6. Joaquin Buckley
Joaquin Buckley saw massive success after he dropped the welterweight, winning all of his fights in spectacular fashion. He is currently on a six-fight winning streak, with 4 of those coming by way of KO/TKO.
2024 has been a busy year for this surging welterweight contender. He has fought a whopping 4 times, a stat that is extremely rare to see in the UFC.
‘New Mansa’ fought and defeated Vicente Luque (KO/TKO) in March, Nursultan Ruziboev in (Unanimous Decision) in May, and Stephen Thompson (KO) in October. His 4th fight of this year was against Colby Covington, who he defeated after doctors stopped the fight due to a nasty gash over his eye.
5. Diego Lopes
Diego Lopes is arguably the brightest rising star in the UFC featherweight division. With a professional record of 26-6-0, Lopes combines strong striking with a dangerous ground game. His ability to adapt and capitalize on opportunities has made him a threat to any opponent.
Diego Lopes has enjoyed a standout 2024 as his year started with a spectacular first round KO over Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300 in April. Lopes continued his hot streak by defeating Dan Ige at UFC 303 via unanimous decision in June.
His momentum continued in September as he triumphed over Brian Ortega in a highly anticipated match at UFC 306. He battered the UFC veteran, putting himself in the talks for a featherweight title shot.
Now, let us take a look at the UFC champions who had a great run in 2024!
4. Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvi is renowned for his relentless pace, outstanding wrestling, and non-stop pressure. With a record of 18-4, Dvalishvili has become one of the most feared competitors in the 135-pound division, earning a reputation for his exceptional takedown ability and work rate inside the Octagon.
Dvalishvili solidified his place as a champion of the bantamweight division in 2024. He faced former champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February in a pivotal bout. Dvalishvili’s remarkable endurance and pressure-heavy game overwhelmed Cejudo, securing a unanimous decision victory after three rounds of intense action.
He continued to show his pressure at UFC 306 in the Sphere against reigning champion Sean O’Malley. He dominated ‘Suga,’ even resorting to kissing him on the back and exchanging heated words with his corner. Finally, he took the belt via unanimous decision.
Now, he is set to face the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at the co-main event of UFC 311 in January.
3. Dricus Du Plessis
The current middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis combines his striking prowess with a well-rounded grappling and a solid submission game. He has established himself as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC middleweight division, known for his knockout power and relentless pace.
Du Plessis has remained a top fighter in 2024, with significant wins adding to the rise in his hype. In January, he faced Sean Strickland for the title at UFC 297 in a highly anticipated showdown, winning by (somewhat controversial) split decision in a back-and-forth battle.
This victory set the stage for an even more anticipated matchup against former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August. Du Plessis won the fight in the fourth round by rear-naked choke submission.
Du Plessis is scheduled to face Strickland in a rematch for the middleweight title at UFC 312 in February 2025. He intends to lay the controversy to rest once and for all.
2. Ilia Topuria
Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria boasts an undefeated record of 16-0-0. He is a dynamic fighter with a versatile skill set, excelling in both striking and grappling. He is known for his power, averaging 4.69 significant strikes per minute and displaying a knockout punch that has earned him multiple finishes.
In 2024, Topuria’s career reached new heights as he captured the UFC Featherweight Championship. His most significant win came in February when he faced reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Topuria secured a stunning second-round knockout with a powerful punch at 3:32, cementing his place as the new champion of the featherweight division.
Topuria continued to make waves later in the year, defending his title against the unfinishable Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October. He dominated the fight, scoring a third-round knockout with a devastating punch at 1:34. This was the first time anyone had ever knocked down (maybe Justin Gaethje) or knocked out Holloway.
With his incredible skill set and relentless drive, Topuria’s future in the UFC looks exceptionally bright. He may be looking at a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski soon.
1. Alex Pereira
Alex “Poatan” Pereira, a towering 6’4″ light heavyweight with a devastating knockout ability, has quickly become one of the UFC’s most electrifying fighters. With a professional record of 12-2-0, Pereira has built his career around his striking power, particularly his lethal left hook and impressive kickboxing background.
He made a name for himself in the UFC with a stunning knockout victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 in November 2022, capturing the middleweight title. The Brazilian then went on to win the light heavyweight title in 2023 against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295.
In 2024, Pereira has solidified his place as a dominant force in the division. The year began with a bang when he knocked out Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300 in April. His momentum continued into June when he rematched Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, securing another second-round knockout with a lethal head kick in 13 seconds.
Pereira’s knockout power was on full display again in October at UFC 307. He delivered a fourth-round punch KO against Khalil Rountree Jr., disfiguring his face in the process.
Alex Pereira’s willingness to fight and his exceptional performances have reaffirmed his status as one of the UFC’s most feared fighters. He recently received the award for ‘Fighter of the Year.’
(Image Credits: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn)
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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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