2024 MMA All-Star Team: Who were the most violent fighters in each weight class this year?

The MMA All-Star Staff is again!

2024 is within the books, and it was a fairly nice yr when it comes to 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 rejoice the 36 fighters who contributed most to our enjoyment this yr.

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

As all the time, this concept was originated by the good 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 probably my favourite fighter I get to rejoice this yr. 3 times earlier than this yr, Goltsov made it to the PFL heavyweight event solely to lose in heartbreaking trend, 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 model, with 4 finishes this yr, 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 checklist) weren’t very lively in 2024, combating solely a couple of 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 bit further love as a result of in his loss, he did get completed, that means you bought bang in your buck when the large man fought this yr.

Third Staff: Kennedy Nzechukwu.

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

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

Mild 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, may there be some other selection for this yr?

Pereira was very almost 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 Struggle of the Evening, Pereira was automated.

Second Staff: Zhang Mingyang.

The rarest factor in all of MMA is a real mild heavyweight prospect, however Zhang seems to be simply that. Solely 26 years outdated, Zhang made his UFC debut this yr and delivered. Two first-round knockouts, two Efficiency of the Evening bonuses, what extra may 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 unhealthy break may upend a complete profession. On a four-fight dropping skid, Reyes seemed to be achieved as a fighter, a tragic ending for the person who ought to have crushed Jon Jones. However “The Devastator” discovered a method to flip again the clock this yr, 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 Struggle 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 wonderful 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 acquired 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 Struggle of the Evening, and probably the greatest knockouts of the yr, 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 yr (Borralho a Efficiency and a Struggle of the Evening, Hernandez two Efficiency bonuses), however Borralho’s win over Jared Cannonier is one of the best of the bunch, and that has to rely 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 selection. It’s wild to assume that 2024 was Prates’s UFC debut as a result of he did a lot this yr. 4 fights, 4 finishes, 4 Efficiency bonuses, and a UFC rating is how you place collectively probably the greatest rookie years of all-time and cement your self as some of the thrilling fighters within the sport.

Second Staff: Joaquin Buckley.

In some other yr, 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 yr. If the reduce stoppage hadn’t robbed Buckley of the possibility to get a extra authoritative win over Colby Covington, perhaps 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 think about him to be probably the greatest 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 yr 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 actually the place he shined as “Cash” was simply that, choosing 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 acquired no bonuses, he completely dominated excellent opposition in 2024.

Second Staff: Esteban Ribovics.

Ribovics was a hair away from taking First-Staff honors this yr, however there’s nothing mistaken with Second-Staff once we’re speaking in regards to the light-weight division. In 2024, Ribovics scored a 37-second head kick knockout of 2022 All-Star Terrance McKinney (that one way or the other didn’t earn him a Efficiency bonus), after which he adopted it up by profitable a choice over Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306 in probably the greatest fights of the yr. An unbelievable yr.

Third Staff: Dustin Poirier.

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

Poirier was one-half of two of one of the best fights of the yr (in opposition to Benoit Saint Denis and Islam Makhachev), for which he gained two Struggle of the Evening awards, plus his comeback KO over Saint Denis was probably the greatest knockouts of the yr. 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 greatest fighters to ever lace up gloves. Topuria’s win over Alexander Volkanovski and turning into the primary particular person 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 means of Sodiq Yusuff in April, then he fought Dan Ige on about 4 hours’ discover and took a choice earlier than he ended the yr 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 yr.

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 yr was unbelievable, 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 selection as a result of Dvalishvili not solely didn’t discover a end in 2024, however he very not often finishes individuals in any respect. Regardless of that, it’s laborious to argue in opposition to Dvalishvili as an All-Star this yr given his two extremely dominant performances in opposition to top-level opponents. Dvalishvili was one of many 10 greatest fighters of 2024, and so, in a fairly weak yr for Violence contenders, “The Machine” did sufficient to say his spot.

Second Staff: Deiveson Figueiredo.

“Figgy Smalls” didn’t finish 2024 how he needed — dropping 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 awesome begin, after which wailing on Marlon Vera in August put Figueiredo in prime place for a title run. And whereas he fell brief in opposition to Yan, it was a hell of a battle, 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 yr, 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 outdated, if Talbott had fought as soon as extra in 2024, he might properly have discovered himself atop this checklist.

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 simple drive. 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 unhealthy.

Additionally vital to notice, Pantoja is the one repeat First-Staff All-Star this yr 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 acquired to be trustworthy with you; I by no means noticed this one coming. Johnson’s early UFC profession was removed from promising in the case of pleasure, however in 2024, “InnerG” flipped the script fully. 4 fights, 4 wins, one Struggle of the Evening, and one Efficiency of the Evening has Johnson within the top-15, and all of the sudden, he’s a fighter you wish to see step into the cage. Unimaginable turnaround and an unbelievable yr.

Third Staff: Brandon Royval.

This was a toss-up between Royval and Tatsuro Taira, and so the benefit went to the winner of their battle. 2024 was not Royval’s most fun yr, however it might have been his greatest as he upset Brandon Moreno in a really enjoyable scrap to kick issues off, then took house the win and Struggle 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 gained’t discover a ladies’s 135er who had a greater yr than Chiasson. The previous Final Fighter winner had a breakout yr in 2024, scoring two stoppage wins over ranked opponents and taking house 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, shifting from an At-Giant 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 dropping the belt to Julianna Peña in her first protection. Had Pennington rightfully gained the battle, she would doubtless be greater on this checklist, however nonetheless, two title fights, one win, and strong 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 could 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 yr, incomes her spot among the many greatest pound-for-pound ladies within the sport. It was a monster yr for the budding star.

Additionally price noting, Ditcheva is the primary particular person to ever make three straight All-Star groups. She was a Third-Teamer in 2022 after which a Second-Teamer final yr, 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 observe heading into 2025.

Third Staff: Gabriella Fernandes.

Exhausting 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 yr she fully modified issues up, profitable a break up resolution and Struggle of the Evening honors in opposition to 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 yr for many strawweights, Robertson was the exception. Robertson fought thrice in 2024 (plus a foray into Karate Fight), choosing up three wins, with one Efficiency of the Evening profitable submission over Polyana Viana.

Second Staff: Jacqueline Amorim.

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

Third Staff: Virna Jandiroba.

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

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

At-Giant Bids

First Staff: Max Holloway.

This part is often reserved for a mix of ladies’s atomweight and featherweights, however I’m making an exception this yr. 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 mistaken.

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

Second Staff: Seika Izawa.

Merely put, Izawa is one of the best atomweight on Earth and probably the greatest feminine fighters on this planet. 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 yr’s First-Teamer drops to the Second-Staff due to Holloway’s insane ‘BMF’ efficiency.

Third Staff: Cris Cyborg.

I not often embrace 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 snug having one of many best 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 choices, and hopefully 2025 shall be simply nearly as good!