2025 MMA Draft: With the No. 1 overall pick, the GFL takes …

The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday in Inexperienced Bay, Wis., and so within the spirit of the festivities, like we did final 12 months, and the 12 months earlier than, and the 12 months earlier than, the MMA Preventing Crew is again to divvy up the most effective fighters and largest stars on the planet of MMA.

In case you don’t bear in mind what occurred final 12 months, it’s easy: Alexander Okay. Lee, Damon Martin, Mike Heck, and Jed Meshew take the reins of one of many 4 prime MMA promotions on the planet, after which draft their alternative of fighters to construct their franchises round. As soon as it’s all mentioned and achieved, the positive readers of MMAFighting.com decide who has assembled the most effective assortment of expertise.

Let’s briefly run down the foundations as a reminder.

1. Any particular person within the MMA world is obtainable to draft. Drafting a fighter locks them right into a five-year contract with the group.
2. Getting a fighter beneath contract doesn’t imply the fighter has to struggle for that group; they only can’t compete for another MMA group. As an illustration, should you draft Jon Jones, you run the chance of him failing a drug check, getting arrested, or just not desirous to struggle.
3. The draft is seven rounds this 12 months (mirroring the NFL draft). On the finish of the train, any fighter who’s undrafted reverts to the corporate they’re at the moment beneath contract with.

Final 12 months, the MMA promotions had been BKFC, ONE Championship, PFL, KSW, and the UFC, with Heck’s BKFC roster rising because the winner. After all, issues are barely completely different this 12 months as top-level MMA promotions proceed to fall off the face of the Earth, so we have now as soon as once more combined issues up. The UFC and PFL stay a part of the train, as does final 12 months’s winner, BKFC; nonetheless, ONE Championship is barely an MMA group anymore and KSW was a enjoyable embody final 12 months, however we determined it makes extra sense to incorporate the brand new child on the MMA block, GFL, particularly since this is perhaps the one 12 months we will accomplish that.

All basic managers have been randomly reassigned to new organizations, with Damon Martin taking on GFL, Alexander Okay. Lee heading up PFL, Jed Meshew working BKFC, and Mike Heck taking the reins on the UFC. As the brand new child on the block, GFL has the primary decide, then PFL, then BKFC, with the UFC ending every spherical.

Received it? Good. Let’s get drafting.

GFL: Conor McGregor

Martin: At GFL, we’re not making an attempt to create viral moments — we’re simply making an attempt to placed on a single present! However with our first decide, none aside from Conor McGregor, which may truly enable us to rise up and working. Whereas most fighters who’re the No. 1 decide are on the lookout for an enormous contract, we’re hoping that Conor would possibly be capable of float us a mortgage so we will promote our debut card.

He will be the face of the promotion, we’ll name him president if that’s what he needs. Simply be sure that the examine clears!

PFL: Tom Aspinall

Lee: Over right here at “The League,” as my boy Donn Davis and I wish to name it, we’ve had a fairly good factor going with Francis Ngannou being touted as MMA’s true No. 1 heavyweight. Sadly, Ngannou’s time within the struggle recreation is more likely to be quick, so let’s carry within the true true No. 1 heavyweight within the recreation, Mr. Tom Aspinall.

BKFC: Alex Pereira

Meshew: Some folks will have a look at this decide and say, “Jed, you’re shamelessly ripping off Mike’s technique with BKFC final 12 months!” To which I reply, “Duh.” Mike and I had the identical technique final 12 months; he simply picked earlier than me and sniped all essentially the most enjoyable fighters. Effectively, not this 12 months, child!

“Poatan” might not be a UFC champion, however that doesn’t matter in any respect to me and the positive people at BKFC. I simply wanna watch this man BOOP some folks in naked knuckles. Is that a lot to ask?

UFC: Ilia Topuria

Heck: Of us, I’m not going to sugarcoat it—we’ve simply been cruising alongside and not using a fear on the planet, and we haven’t needed to attempt in any respect. In some unspecified time in the future, the frustrations of our fan base are going to achieve a boiling level, and as we’re nicely conscious, we’re getting shut. So we have to preserve the man with the very best ceiling on our whole roster, each in talent and star energy.

Ilia Topuria was the largest must-protect fighter within the UFC, and we weren’t letting him out of the primary spherical for more-than-obvious causes.

Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

GFL: Jon Jones

Martin: No person does the draft higher than the GFL—simply have a look at the one we placed on beforehand! So with our second choice, we’re going after the best of all time. At 37, Jones continues to be a bit on the youthful aspect for our group, however we’re prepared to take a threat on him.

Jones has additionally made it clear that he doesn’t have a lot time left within the sport, and that matches our firm philosophy as a result of we most likely don’t have a lot time left both!

PFL: Islam Makhachev

Lee: The League is the place the most effective compete—Donn: Have you ever seen what number of of our athletes are ranked on Struggle Matrix???—and the way can we proceed to make that declare with out the Pound-for-Pound greatest fighter on the planet, Islam Makhachev?

Frankly, he matches proper in with the preventing type of lots of our league champions, so even when he gained’t precisely assist us rake within the informal {dollars} (who wants ya), he’s each an on-brand choice and an unimaginable expertise to bolster our already elite roster.

BKFC: Dricus du Plessis

Meshew: I’ll enterprise to say that there was no larger proponent of Dricus du Plessis amongst MMA media than yours actually since his arrival within the UFC, so this decide is simply as a lot about what he can do for us within the ring as what my coronary heart needs. DDP is a particular athlete and star, and although he has loads of grappling chops, he’ll additionally slot in fairly properly as an enormous dude who throws lunchboxes at folks.

Plus, du Plessis offers us a stunning inroad to South Africa, and given their love for rugby — which is principally bare-knuckle soccer, with preventing — I feel that may be an enormous marketplace for us shifting ahead.

UFC: Dakota Ditcheva

Heck: If Ilia Topuria was No. 1 on our must-keep listing, Dakota Ditcheva is No. 1 on the must-have listing.

The followers need it, Ditcheva clearly needs it, and we on the UFC want as a lot pleasure and intrigue as we will get. Why wait till the contract expires? That is the quick transfer for Ditcheva. Let’s rip the Band-Assist proper off and provides everyone—besides the PFL—precisely what they need to see.

Picture by Maciej Gillert/Gallo Pictures through Getty Pictures Poland/Getty Pictures

GFL: Francis Ngannou

Martin: With Tommy Aspinall off the board, we’ve bought to seek out somebody for Jones to struggle in his GFL debut (probably the one struggle he’ll have for the GFL), so we’re going again to the matchup everyone needed simply a few years in the past. He’s been out of sight, out of thoughts in PFL, however Ngannou continues to be one of the ferocious fighters on the planet, and placing him up towards Jones is strictly the sort of matchup we’d like.

PFL: Paddy Pimblett

Lee: I see what GFL is doing… and I don’t prefer it.

Fortuitously, we factored a Francis loss into our plans and have already got a number of passive-aggressive tweets prepared for when his first GFL struggle is introduced (kidding… or are we?). We thank Ngannou for his companies and transfer on to the most recent hotness, now-former UFC star Paddy Pimblett.

We’ve bought the steak with Makhachev, and now we have now an entire lot of sizzle with the more and more widespread “Baddy” from Liverpool.

BKFC: Carlos Prates

Meshew: Look, are there “higher” fighters to select right here? Most likely. However BKFC is as a lot a way of life as it’s a struggle promotion, and is there anybody in MMA proper now extra becoming for our explicit model of shenanigans? Heck, we’ll even let him rip heaters on the way in which to the ring and assist facilitate some customized Marlboro Crimson struggle shorts.

UFC: Mariusz Pudzianowski

Heck: First off, this could’ve been a snake draft, and Paddy Pimblett would’ve remained on the roster. However I digress…

Since I can’t retain Pimblett’s companies, once more, the secret for the UFC is enjoyable and thrilling, and no division wants it greater than heavyweight proper now. We’ll matchmake for him accurately (see draft decide No. 5, and apologies to KSW), and ensure everybody tunes in to observe.

Moreover, this hurts BKFC and definitely GFL based mostly on the fighter-age vary. Excited to have him.

Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC through Getty Pictures

GFL: Ronda Rousey

Martin: Now I do know what you’re considering—Ronda Rousey is retired. However so was Chris Weidman, and he got here again for the distinction of competing within the GFL, and we consider Rousey could make that very same sort of comeback. Positive, she hasn’t fought in 9 years, however that’s the sort of layoff that simply begs for a return to motion!

We’ve already bought Holly Holm beneath contract, so perhaps we may run that again, or maybe this draft will current an alternative choice for the “Rowdy” one in her GFL debut.

PFL: Jean Silva

Lee: Hear, I’m simply going to say it: In case you vote for GFL because the winner within the ballot under, you’re a unhealthy particular person. Clarify your self within the feedback!

We’re retaining the nice instances rolling with one other buzzy fighter and the second Preventing Nerd to come back off the board, “Lord” Jean Silva. His inventory couldn’t be increased proper now after disposing of Bryce Mitchell, and he’s an unbelievable addition to our criminally missed featherweight squad.

BKFC: Jiri Prochazka

Meshew: Oof. That one stings a bit as I hoped to seize Silva this spherical for a Preventing Nerds Bash Brothers scenario, however alas. Nice pickup for PFL, and we must change our plans up barely, by taking my different giant, grownup son, Jiri Prochazka.

Except for the Pudzianowski-Corridor struggle (that Heck simply ruined!!!!!), there isn’t a struggle I need to see extra in MMA. I don’t want it to be for a belt or something, I simply have to see these two giant, violence weirdos collide. And now I can.

UFC: Dustin Poirier

Heck: There’s no approach we’re permitting Dustin Poirier to have his ultimate struggle exterior of the UFC.

There are about 5 issues which can be realistically thrilling and will present emotion within the UFC in 2025, and Poirier’s Final Dance is certainly one of them. Poirier vs. Holloway 3 is a becoming approach to finish one of the enjoyable careers in UFC historical past, and it’ll occur in New Orleans.

Picture by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures

GFL: Justin Gaethje

Martin: Hear, we’d like a bit bit of pleasure in right here, and we’ve bought to be trustworthy, there’s an opportunity none of our first 4 picks truly find yourself competing for us—very like we most likely gained’t ever placed on a present—however not all is misplaced. With Gaethje, we get a man who continues to be a prime light-weight, he by no means places on boring fights, and he’s remarkably sturdy and reliable, which is one thing we positively want on this promotion.

PFL: Khamzat Chimaev

Lee: Khamzat Chimaev, I can’t give up you.

For the second 12 months in a row, I’m rolling the cube on a man who is perhaps the most effective fighter on the planet? We might by no means know. However there’s no denying that each time Chimaev has made the stroll to the cage, it’s appointment viewing.

And hey, our stars don’t struggle greater than every year anyway, so our schedules line up completely!

BKFC: Mike Perry

Meshew: Look, is it doable that it is a wasted decide? Completely. However right here at BKFC, we stand by our personal. GFL already took our co-owner within the first spherical, we can’t afford to lose the face of our promotion. Mike Perry helped construct us into what we’re at the moment, and he stays the proper avatar for what bare-knuckle preventing is all about.

UFC: Eddie Corridor

Heck: You’re welcome. See decide No. 3, and that’s all.

Picture by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

GFL: Gina Carano

Martin: The steal of the draft! Technically, Gina Carano by no means retired, so she’s brisker than Rousey proper now (regardless of not competing for nearly 16 years). Carano practically plotted her comeback a number of years in the past when she bought deep into talks with the UFC a few potential showdown towards Rousey. Effectively, potential is all we’ve bought round right here, so why not attempt to put collectively the Carano vs. Rousey struggle in 2025 that no person was asking for?

PFL: Reug Reug

Lee: We are able to’t fully shrug off the lack of Ngannou as a result of the cash struggle was proper there with him and Aspinall. So we pivot to the one ONE Championship title more likely to come off the board, the enigmatic Oumar Kane, a.ok.a. Reug Reug.

Nobody anticipated Reug Reug to final a spherical with Anatoly Malykhin this previous November, however in some way the Senegalese man of thriller not solely went the space however emerged victorious (through a extremely questionable break up resolution, however nonetheless). It’s a disgrace he hasn’t fought since, however we’re ready to supply him a large Aspinall matchup straight away.

BKFC: Jose Aldo

Meshew: This can be a decide for me.

I’ve nothing however love for *ahem* The Biggest Featherweight of All Time, and take into account it a travesty how the UFC is reserving him through the golden years of his profession. Fortuitously, we in BKFC know that the very last thing anybody wants is somebody desperately holding Jose Aldo’s waist and praying they take the scorecards, and that’s not on the menu within the BKFC ring. Let’s see what one of many best possible fighters to ever dwell can do with a ultimate chapter in naked knuckle.

UFC: Gadzhi Rabadanov

Heck: Name it a hipster decide, however I name it a egocentric one. Scorching take: I feel Gadzhi Rabadanov is essentially the most underrated fighter on the planet proper now.

And, in fact, we really feel unhealthy that we’ve—barring an harm, or a slip on a banana peel—value Rabadanov $500,000, as a result of if we didn’t draft him, he’s successful PFL’s light-weight event. I feel this man is perhaps one of many ten greatest lightweights on the planet proper now, and we’ll by no means know if that’s true with out this transfer occurring.

Picture by Chris Unger/Getty Pictures

GFL: Nate Diaz

Martin: We’ve bought to shut down issues sturdy, and there could also be no higher approach to get Conor to provide us entry to his checking account than lastly organising a rubber match with him towards outdated rival Nate Diaz. Their preliminary encounters had been two of the biggest-selling UFC exhibits of all time, and who’s not going to observe a 3rd? Plus, Diaz turned 40 this 12 months, so he’s proper within the prime of his profession relating to the GFL!

PFL: Themba Gorimbo

Lee: I legitimately thought Damon drafted “Nick Diaz,” and the truth that the confusion was even doable makes me so indignant.

We’re going approach exterior the field for our final decide with quite a few champions, stars, and PFL names I ought to most likely be defending nonetheless on the board, however hear me out: We get Themba Gorimbo and we get The Rock. You won’t understand they’re buddies since they by no means discuss it (smirk emoji).

The League is all about producing mainstream buzz, and what higher approach than to get Dwayne Johnson on our aspect to advertise the inspiring story of his buddy Themba. And if there’s one factor we learn about Rocky after this previous WrestleMania weekend, it’s that when he commits to a narrative, he follows via (a number of smirk emojis, prayer palms)!

BKFC: Paul Hughes

Meshew: And now it’s time to look to the long run. BKFC has a really particular model and discovering scheme matches isn’t simple, however this one appears good. Hughes is all the time all the way down to get down, and he’s an rising expertise with a penchant for speaking as nicely. Hughes is our succession plan for when Mike Perry and our getting older expertise pool begin shifting into retirement.

UFC: Cédric Doumbé

Heck: Oh, Jed, you stole my decide, however that’s OK, I’ve an exquisite backup plan.

Doumbé-mania goes to run wild within the UFC, and in contrast to PFL, we are going to matchmake for Doumbé the suitable approach. No wrestlers, no grapplers (not less than not anytime quickly) and nothing however spotlight reels.

That is what Doumbé bought into the game for, and PFL shined him up good for us; now, we will make him the star he deserves to be.

Ultimate draft outcomes:

GFL (Damon Martin)

1. Conor McGregor
2. Jon Jones
3. Francis Ngannou
4. Ronda Rousey
5. Justin Gaethje
6. Gina Carano
7. Nate Diaz

PFL (Alexander Okay. Lee)

1. Tom Aspinall
2. Islam Makhachev
3. Paddy Pimblett
4. Jean Silva
5. Khamzat Chimaev
6. Reug Reug
7. Themba Gorimbo

BKFC (Jed Meshew)

1. Alex Pereira
2. Dricus du Plessis
3. Carlos Prates
4. Jiri Prochazka
5. Mike Perry
6. Jose Aldo
7. Paul Hughes

UFC (Mike Heck)

1. Ilia Topuria
2. Dakota Ditcheva
3. Mariusz Pudzianowski
4. Dustin Poirier
5. Eddie Corridor
6. Gadzhi Rabadanov
7. Cédric Doumbé