The MMA All-Star Team is back!
2024 is officially in the books, and it was an exceptional year for MMA. With numerous violent knockouts, slick submissions, and intense back-and-forth battles filling the past 12 months, it’s time to celebrate the 36 fighters who contributed the most to our enjoyment this year.
The concept of this recognition is straightforward: We aim to highlight the top three fighters in each weight class based on their excitement, activity, and accomplishments throughout the year. This is not just about who are the best fighters but rather which ones delivered the most entertainment. A loss isn’t an automatic disqualification (as long as the fight was great), nor are decisions (unless they were boring).
This idea was originally conceived by the renowned Jordan Breen, who previously created an "All-Violence Team" for Sherdog. A big shout out to him for the inspiration.
Every major sport has its own All-Pro or All-Star team, and this is our contribution. Welcome to the 2024 All-Violence Team.
Heavyweight
First Team: Denis Goltsov.
Goltsov is undoubtedly one of my favorite fighters to celebrate this year. After three previous attempts at the PFL heavyweight tournament that ended in heartbreak, 2024 proved to be his year as he finally clinched the title and the $1 million prize. He did it in style, finishing four opponents this year, three of which were in the first round. Congratulations to Goltsov for a well-deserved victory!
Second Team: Marcin Tybura.
Following Goltsov, the overall quality of heavyweights drops off significantly. Many familiar names didn’t stay active in 2024, fighting only once or twice. Tybura stood out with three fights, two wins, two finishes, and one Performance of the Night bonus. He even secured some excitement in his loss by getting finished, giving fans their money’s worth.
Third Team: Kennedy Nzechukwu.
Making his heavyweight debut this year, Nzechukwu left his mark, albeit against less fierce competition. The fighter I like to call "Kenny Nunchucks" impressed with two fights, two first-round finishes, and a Performance of the Night bonus, earning his place in this year’s Third Team in a down year for heavyweights.
Honorable Mentions: Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Mick Parkin, Oleg Popov, Phil De Fries, Tim Johnson.
Light Heavyweight
First Team: Alex Pereira.
Pereira’s second appearance as a First-Team All-Star makes him the first two-weight All-Star, having previously been on the middleweight First Team in 2022. This year, he was undeniably the standout choice.
Pereira was a frontrunner for the overall Fighter of the Year in 2024 with three successful title defenses, three knockouts (including multiple Knockout of the Year candidates), a Performance of the Night, and a Fight of the Night. His place was automatic.
Second Team: Zhang Mingyang.
Finding a true light heavyweight prospect in MMA is rare, but Zhang appears to be just that. At only 26 years old, he made his UFC debut this year and truly delivered. With two first-round knockouts and two Performance of the Night bonuses, Zhang’s future looks promising.
Third Team: Dominick Reyes.
Reyes makes a welcome return! Headed into 2024, he was on a cautionary four-fight losing skid but managed to turn back the clock with two stoppage wins over Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith, securing his spot on the Third Team.
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 Team: Dricus du Plessis.
Du Plessis ranked No. 3 in our Fighter of the Year standings, and it’s clear why: He captured the middleweight title from Sean Strickland in a Fight of the Night performance and followed that up by submitting Israel Adesanya in his first title defense, earning the No. 3 Submission of the Year.
This marks du Plessis’s first inclusion on the First Team and his second overall, as he was the middleweight Second-Teamer in 2023.
Second Team: Shara “Bullet” Magomedov.
While du Plessis earned his First Team spot based on opposition quality, Magomedov has a solid case for the top spot as well. With three wins, two knockouts, two Performance bonuses, and one Fight of the Night, Magomedov was must-see television whenever he entered the cage in 2024.
Third Team: Caio Borralho.
The competition was fierce in the middleweight division, but Borralho narrowly edged out Anthony Hernandez due to the superior quality of competition. Both had two wins and two bonuses, but Borralho’s victory over Jared Cannonier stands out, earning him the Third Team position.
Honorable Mentions: Anthony Hernandez, Bruno Ferreira, Gerald Meerschaert, Mansur Abdul-Malik, Michel Pereira, Nassourdine Imavov, Reiner de Ridder.
Welterweight
First Team: Carlos Prates.
Prates was an automatic choice this year. It’s incredible to think that 2024 marked his UFC debut, given what he accomplished. Four fights, four finishes, four Performance bonuses, and a UFC ranking—this was truly one of the best rookie years in MMA history.
Second Team: Joaquin Buckley.
In any other year, Buckley would have easily claimed First-Team honors. With four wins, three finishes (including three against ranked opponents), and one Performance of the Night bonus, his accomplishments were remarkable. If not for a cut stoppage halting his chance of a more definitive win over Colby Covington, he might have pushed for a deeper recognition.
Third Team: Shamil Musaev.
Musaev burst onto the scene in 2024 with his PFL debut, showcasing why he is considered one of the top welterweights alive. With four wins, three finishes, and the PFL championship (along with a $1 million prize), Musaev had an exceptional year.
Honorable Mentions: Carlos Leal, Charles Radtke, Lorenz Larkin, Magomed Umalatov, Michael Chiesa, Muslim Salikhov, Randy Brown, Sam Patterson, Themba Gorimbo.
Lightweight
First Team: Renato Moicano.
Moicano emerged as a star through both his in-cage performances and his engaging post-fight interviews. His outstanding year included three quality wins, two of which were commanding victories over top-15 lightweights, solidifying his position as a top fighter in the division.
Second Team: Esteban Ribovics.
Ribovics nearly clinched a First-Team honor this year. His highlight reel includes a 37-second head-kick knockout of 2022 All-Star Terrance McKinney (which did not earn him a Performance bonus) and a decision victory over Daniel Zellhuber in a notable fight. His 2024 run stands out as extraordinary.
Third Team: Dustin Poirier.
One of the sport’s most thrilling fighters, this is Poirier’s first All-Star team recognition, reflective of the relatively recent inception of these awards. If he is indeed contemplating retirement, it’s a fitting accolade for “The Diamond” who has earned it this year.
Poirier participated in two of the year’s best fights (against Benoit Saint Denis and Islam Makhachev), for which he secured two Fight of the Night awards, and his comeback KO over Saint Denis was among the year’s best knockouts.
Honorable Mentions: Chase Hooper, Gadzhi Rabadanov, Ignacio Bahamondes, Jim Miller, Joel Alvarez, Ludovit Klein, Mansour Barnaoui, Paul Hughes, Salahdine Parnasse.
Featherweight
First Team: Ilia Topuria.
Topuria’s inclusion is as automatic as Pereira’s. His performance in 2024 was historic, marked by two knockout victories, capturing the featherweight title, defending it, and earning two bonuses. His victories against renowned fighters solidify his stature, especially as he finished two of the top 15 fighters in the sport.
Second Team: Diego Lopes.
A First-Team All-Star last year, Lopes had an equally impressive 2024 with three standout wins. He triumphed over Sodiq Yusuff in April, decisively defeated Dan Ige on short notice, and closed out the year with a dominating performance against Brian Ortega. While he may not have matched his 2023 bonus tally, Lopes showcased consistency.
Third Team: Youssef Zalal.
Zalal narrowly surpasses Jean Silva for the Third Team position. Both fighters had remarkable 2024 campaigns, but Zalal’s achievements at 145 pounds give him the edge. With three submission victories and two Performance bonuses, he earned his place on this list.
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 Team: Merab Dvalishvili.
Dvalishvili’s selection might spark debate, primarily because he did not secure a finish in 2024. However, his exceptionally dominant performances against top-tier opponents earn him recognition. He undeniably distinguished himself as one of the top 10 fighters of 2024—enough to secure his All-Star position in a relatively uninspiring year for Violence contenders.
Second Team: Deiveson Figueiredo.
Ending the year on a low note with a decision loss to Petr Yan cannot overshadow Figueiredo’s impressive 2024. His achievements included a submission victory over Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300 and a significant win over Marlon Vera, which seemed to set him up for a title run. His noteworthy performance against Yan deserves acknowledgment.
Third Team: Payton Talbott.
Talbott looks to be establishing himself on these lists. While he debuted in the UFC last year, his breakout came in 2024, where he showcased two brutal finishes earning him two Performance of the Night bonuses. Should he have fought one additional time this year, he might have risen to a higher ranking.
Honorable Mentions: Ali Taleb, Cameron Smotherman, Cody Haddon, Marcus McGhee, Petr Yan, Raul Rosas Jr., Umar Nurmagomedov, Vince Morales, Vinicius Oliveira.
Flyweight
First Team: Alexandre Pantoja.
Pantoja is undoubtedly a contender for Fighter of the Year, showcasing dominance over his opposition. With two commanding wins in title defenses, one of which earned a Performance of the Night bonus, he established himself as the second-best flyweight behind the legendary Demetrious Johnson. Pantoja is also the lone repeat First-Team All-Star this year, marking a significant achievement.
Second Team: Charles Johnson.
Johnson’s early UFC stint was lackluster, but 2024 marked his resurgence. He achieved four wins out of four fights, securing one Fight of the Night and one Performance of the Night, placing him in the top-15 rankings. This marked an impressive turnaround for the fighter.
Third Team: Brandon Royval.
The decision for Royval over Tatsuro Taira came down to their fight’s outcome. While not the most thrilling year for Royval, he had notable performances that included an upset win over Brandon Moreno and taking home Fight of the Night honors while defeating Taira later in the year.
Honorable Mentions: Andre Lima, Asu Almabayev, DongHun Choi, Joshua Van, Lone’er Kavanagh, Manel Kape, Muhammad Mokaev, Tatsuro Taira.
Women’s Bantamweight
First Team: Macy Chiasson.
Chiasson had a breakout year in 2024, recording two stoppage victories over ranked opponents and claiming two Performance of the Night bonuses that firmly established her as the top fighter in the women’s bantamweight division.
Second Team: Kayla Harrison.
Competition runs deep in this weight class, resulting in fewer opportunities to shine. Nonetheless, Harrison returned to the All-Star lineup with two victories in 2024, including one finish, and successfully making the 135-pound weight limit.
Third Team: Raquel Pennington.
Pennington started the year on a high note by clinching the bantamweight title. However, her title defense ended in a disappointing fashion due to a contentious scorecard resulting in her losing the title to Julianna Peña. Despite this setback, her two title fights and strong performances throughout the year justified her inclusion on the Third Team.
Honorable Mentions: Ailin Perez, Beatriz Mesquita, Jacqueline Cavalcanti, Jennifer Maia, Kennedy Freeman.
Women’s Flyweight
First Team: Dakota Ditcheva.
Ditcheva stands out as a prime candidate for Women’s Fighter of the Year. Her record of four fights, four wins, and four finishes in 2024, along with earning a PFL title, underscores her dominant performances. As the first athlete to make three consecutive All-Star teams, she showcases remarkable consistency.
Second Team: Jasmine Jasudavicius.
Jasudavicius found her momentum in 2024 after struggling since joining the UFC. With three fights resulting in three wins and two D’Arce chokes that earned her Performance of the Night bonuses, she is a fighter to look out for as she heads into 2025.
Third Team: Gabriella Fernandes.
Fernandes had an impressive turnaround in 2024. After struggling in her debut year, she secured a split decision victory and a Fight of the Night win against Carli Judice and gained a notable upset by defeating Cong Wang, earning a Performance of the Night award in the process.
Honorable Mentions: Cheyanne Bowers, Cong Wang, Liz Carmouche, Miranda Maverick, Natalia Silva, Paulina Wisniewska, Rin Nakai, Rose Namajunas, Taila Santos.
At-Large Bids
First Team: Max Holloway.
This section is typically reserved for women’s atomweight and featherweights, but this year allows for an exception. Holloway made an indelible mark by competing in both the lightweight and featherweight divisions, where his lightweight bout against Justin Gaethje stands as one of the greatest fights and knockouts in MMA history.
Second Team: Seika Izawa.
Izawa stands out as the finest atomweight in the world and one of the premier female fighters overall. At just 27, she remains undefeated, tallying a submission victory over Si Yoon Park and a decision win against Kanna Asakura in 2024.
Third Team: Cris Cyborg.
Though she competed only once this year, Cyborg’s fight against Larissa Pacheco at PFL Battle of Giants was nothing short of spectacular. Additionally, her performance in boxing, where she boasts two knockout victories, solidifies her positioning here.
Honorable Mentions: Ana Palacios, Michelle Montague, Moeri Suda, Rena Kabuto, Saori Oshima.
And that’s a wrap! Congratulations to all the selections, and here’s to hoping for just as fantastic a 2025!
