Get to know the most savage fighters across every UFC division in 2024, showcasing their brutal dominance in the cage!
Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Khalil Rountree Jr. (blue gloves) in a light heavyweight title bout during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
2024 for the UFC was a year that brought back the fascinating era of pure, unadulterated violence is back in fashion. Gone are the days when point fighting and defensive mastery drew the biggest crowds. Today’s fans want action, and a special breed of fighters is more than happy to deliver. These warriors don’t just win fights, they leave a trail of highlight reels in their wake!
This article highlights the most savage fighters across every UFC division in 2024, showcasing their brutal dominance in the cage.
Women’s Strawweight
Gillian Robertson
Gillian Robertson stood out as a beacon of activity in the strawweight division in 2024. While many of her peers took a more cautious approach, Robertson kept herself busy with an impressive campaign. She stepped into the cage three times throughout the year, securing victories in each outing.
Her submission win over Polyana Viana was particularly noteworthy, earning her a Performance of the Night bonus. Gillian Robertson even found time to test her skills in Karate Combat, showing her versatility as a fighter. In a division that seemed to hit the snooze button, Robertson kept the action flowing!
Women’s Flyweight
Jasmine Jasudavicius
After earning her UFC contract through the Contender Series, Jasmine Jasudavicius finally found her rhythm in 2024. The flyweight turned her career around with a perfect run, stacking up three consecutive victories.
Her specialty became clear as she locked in two devastating D’Arce chokes, each one earning her a Performance of the Night bonus. These spectacular finishes didn’t just pad her record; they launched her into the UFC rankings (#12).
Women’s Bantamweight
Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison made waves in the women’s bantamweight division in 2024, proving she’s more than just hype. The former PFL champion and Olympic gold medalist stood out by competing twice and securing two victories. One of those wins came via the finish of former champion Holly Holm, showcasing her dominant style.
But perhaps her most impressive achievement was consistently making the 135-pound limit. This is no small feat for the former 155-pound fighter. Her success made her a name in the contention for the 135lb title.
Men’s Flyweight
Brandon Royval
Brandon Royval gets the nod due to his head-to-head record. While 2024 wasn’t Royval’s most spectacular year, it proved to be his most action-packed. He started strong by defeating Brandon Moreno in an entertaining upset victory.
He then followed that performance with a dominant showing against Tatsuro Taira in October, earning both the win and Fight of the Night honors in a compelling contest. Both these fights were split-decision wins for him. But he gave it his all and put up a show for the fans.
Men’s Bantamweight
Payton Talbott
Talbott’s UFC career officially began the previous year, but 2024 marked his true breakthrough. His campaign featured two devastating finishes, which earned him Performance of the Night honors in both outings.
At just 26 years old, Payton Talbott’s trajectory is sharply upward. He is one of the most promising prospects in the division.
Featherweight
Ilia Topuria
Topuria’s inclusion was inevitable given what might be considered the most impressive two-fight streak in MMA history. He secured two knockout victories, capturing and defending the featherweight championship while earning performance bonuses in both bouts.
What makes these wins particularly remarkable is the caliber of his opponents. He defeated two fighters widely considered among the top 15 of all time. Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the title, then became the first fighter to stop Max Holloway with strikes. “El Matador” put together a truly historic run.
Also Read: 10 UFC Fighters Who Had A Great 2024
Lightweight
Jean Silva
Jean Silva emerged as one of the most violent fighters in 2024 with three impressive victories, all showcasing his striking prowess. He started the year by knocking out Westin Wilson in the first round at UFC Fight Night.
He followed this with another knockout victory over Charles Jourdain at UFC 303, finishing him with punches in round two. Silva completed his 2024 campaign with a third-round TKO victory over Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night.
The fight with Dober showcased his skill and his upward trajectory in the UFC.
Welterweight
Carlos Prates
Prates’ inclusion was undeniable, considering his remarkable action in 2024. He put together an extraordinary campaign with four fights, each ending in a finish, and earned Performance bonuses for all of them.
This exceptional run not only secured him a spot in the UFC rankings but also established him as one of the most thrilling fighters to watch in the sport. His perfect finishing rate and collection of bonuses make him the most violent fighter of 2024 in the welterweight division.
Middleweight
Shara Magomedov
Shara Magomedov has compiled a resume that makes a compelling case for the top position. His 2024 campaign was extraordinary, featuring three victories, including two knockouts that earned him Performance bonuses.
He also secured a Fight of the Night honor and delivered one of the year’s most spectacular knockouts at UFC 308 against Armen Petrosyan. Nicknamed “Bullet,” Magomedov proved himself to be a must-watch every time he entered the cage in 2024.
Light Heavyweight
Alex Pereira
There is not a single person who can challenge Alex Pereira as the pick for the most violent fighter in 2024 in the light heavyweight division. He is the top contender for the Fighter of the Year honors. ‘Poatan’ has also put together an impressive campaign that included three successful title defenses, all by knockout.
Two of these finishes were considered for Knockout of the Year. His performances earned him both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, making his selection a clear choice.
Heavyweight
Marcin Tybura
Tybura stood out in 2024 due to his activity level, while many heavyweight regulars competed only once or twice. He maintained a busy schedule with three fights, securing two victories, both by finish, and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
Adding to his appeal as an entertaining fighter, even his lone defeat came by stoppage against Sergei Spivac, ensuring that viewers got their money’s worth whenever he stepped into the cage. His consistent activity and finishing rate made him a notable presence in the heavyweight division throughout the year.
(Image Credits: Stephen R. Sylvanie – 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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