Five Unranked UFC Fighters To Watch In 2025

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Every calendar year, some fighters start out relatively unseen or unnoticed, and by the end of the year, they are fan favorites or already inside of the Top 15 rankings ……


UFC 303: Talbott v Ghemmouri
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Every calendar year, some fighters start out relatively unseen or unnoticed, and by the end of the year, they are fan favorites or already inside of the Top 15 rankings … for example, Carlos Prates, who made his UFC debut this year and is already in the Welterweight rankings after going 4-0 with four knockouts.

So, as 2024 comes to a close and with 2025 only three days away, several UFC fighters should be on your radar going into the new year … and we’ve got you covered.

But firstly, before we get to the new list, let’s recap how last year’s list aged.

Rinya NakamuraNakamura only fought once in 2024 due to an injury he sustained at UFC 298. He defeated Carlos Vera via unanimous decision.
Diego LopesLopes had an incredible year, going 3-0 while fighting on three of the biggest cards of 2024, and is a fight away from fighting for the Featherweight championship.
Mateusz RebeckiRebecki went 1-1 in 2024, losing to Carlos Diego Ferreira, but then rebounded in a Fight of the Year with Myktybek Orolbai.
Joe Pyfer Pyfer went 1-1 and competed in his first main event in a losing effort. He did pick up a win at UFC 303, knocking out Marc-Andre Barriault.
Vitor PetrinoPetrino had the biggest stock drop on this list, going 1-2 in 2024 and getting finished in his last two fights.

Here are five unranked fighters who must be on everyone’s radar for 2025.


UFC 303: Talbott v Ghemmouri
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Payton Talbott (9-0)

I will be the first to admit I was dead wrong about Payton Talbott. When the Bantamweight was signed after Contender Series, I didn’t think he was ready, but boy, the undefeated fighter showed out in 2024.

He started his year by styling on Cameron Saaiman, eventually finishing him in the second round, and then capped off his year with a 19-second knockout at UFC 303 against Yanis Ghemmour (watch highlights).

Talbott’s striking is incredibly flashy, and he is improving fight to fight. He has a fun personality that is very unique to him.

At just 26 years old, he can take his time and get cage experience or launch into the Bantamweight division’s shark tank Top 15.

He is set to fight Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311.

UFC Fight Night: Dober v Silva
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Jean Silva (14-2)

Jean Silva made a significant impact in 2024. The Brazilian made his debut on the first card of the year, stopping Westin Wilson, and then five months later fought twice in two weeks – knocking out Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 and then stopping Drew Dober up a weight class (watch highlights).

“Lord” had an incredible rookie year and probably would have fought two more times if he hadn’t broken both of his hands against Dober.

He is a madman who can fight in two divisions if need be and is a certified finisher with 11 knockouts – only going to one decision in his career.

If Silva stays healthy, it is safe to say he will have a monster in 2025. He kicks off his year against Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle.

UFC Fight Night: Royval v Taira
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Ramazan Temirov (18-2)

When Ramazan Temirov was making his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 98, he was unknown unless you caught his two fights in RIZIN, but after he brutally stopped CJ Vergara in less than three minutes, he popped up on everyone’s radar.

The Uzbekistan fighter seems to be the whole package. He is a very explosive fighter with true bombs on his hands, which is evident because he has 11 knockouts … in the Flyweight division.

With the 125 lb division sort of being in disarray because of the lack of new challengers for champion Alexandre Pantoja, the 27-year-old could set himself up to be in title contention with a big 2025.

UFC Fight Night: Covington v Buckley Official Weigh-In
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Felipe Lima (14-1)

Out of everyone on this list, Felipe Lima may have the highest ceiling because he is very good at fighting, as evidenced by his two UFC fights. Just wait until “Jungle Boy” has a full camp and fights his real weight division of Bantamweight.

Both of his fights were on short notice and up a division at Featherweight. He made his UFC debut against Muhammad Naimov, who was riding a six-fight win streak, and he tapped him in the third round (watch highlights). Lima then stepped in on two weeks’ notice against UFC veteran Miles Johns at UFC Tampa and won a unanimous decision.

Lima is a wild striker but also technically skilled. He resembles Charles Oliveira and Diego Lopes.

Keep your eyes on Lima.

Dana White’s Contender Series: Antunes v Dulatov
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Islam Dulatov (11-1)

For the last fighter, I’m going with Islam Dulatov. Although the 26-year-old welterweight fighter has yet to make his UFC debut, there is so much to like in him.

Dulatov received a contract on Contender Series for his brutal knockout of Vanilton Antunes.

The Versace model-turned-fighter has it all—he looks good, speaks English, knocks people dead, and can take the UFC back to Germany if need be.

Dulatov has ridiculous power, a solid grappling game, and good wrestling to keep the fight standing. He holds a 100% rate and hasn’t lost since his professional debut, riding an 11-fight win streak.

He makes his UFC debut against Adam Fugitt at UFC Seattle.

That’s it, Maniacs! Do any of these fighters pique your interest? If so, let us know.