Imagine a year where the Octagon became a stage for jaw-dropping comebacks, relentless champions, and fighters who redefined what it means to push limits—2025 was that year, and it left us all craving more! As we reflect on the UFC's most electrifying moments, it's the standout campaigns from a select group of warriors that will echo loudest. Sure, the individual knockouts and submissions we've covered in our 2025 UFC.com Awards series were spectacular, but the bigger story? It was the breakout stars like “Fluffy” Hernandez, Melquizael Costa, and Michael Morales stealing the spotlight, alongside the brilliance of Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira, each claiming just one win in the past year yet shining brightly. And this is the part most people miss: how these six athletes didn't just succeed—they dominated in ways that reshaped the sport's narrative.
2025 DOTCOM AWARDS: The Newcomers | The Submissions | The Knockouts | The Fights
Their stories are what will define the year's legacy. Let's dive into the top performers, celebrating their grit and glory.
1 – Merab Dvalishvili
It's truly remarkable what Merab Dvalishvili accomplished leading up to UFC 323, aiming for one last blockbuster showdown on the year's final pay-per-view, and it earned him the top spot here—even though he ended the year with a defeat. For newcomers to UFC, think of him as a tireless engine in the bantamweight division, where fighters compete at around 135 pounds, showcasing speed, endurance, and wrestling prowess.
Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia walks to the Octagon in the UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Known as “The Machine,” he joined a rare club of champions who defended their titles three times in a single year—2025, to be exact. He started strong with a comeback win against Umar Nurmagomedov, then submitted Sean O’Malley, and outworked Cory Sandhagen to dominate the bantamweights. But he didn't stop there; before even wrapping up his Sandhagen victory in October, the Georgian fighter from the Caucasus region boldly announced he wanted one more fight, risking everything against Petr Yan at UFC 323. In a masterful display, Yan reclaimed the title, proving why he's a two-time champion now. But here's where it gets controversial: Was Dvalishvili's decision to go for that fourth fight sheer bravery or reckless ambition? Some argue it showed ultimate dedication, while others wonder if he should have quit while ahead.
View Merab Dvalishvili's Athlete Profile
Fans love active champions, and no one was busier than Dvalishvili, battling nearly 18 rounds in four matches against top-tier opponents. Even though it didn't go as planned, you can't help but admire the 34-year-old for attempting what no other has: four championship bouts in one year. Sure, hindsight makes us second-guess, but let's not overlook the insanity of winning three title fights—that's more than enough to crown him number one. What do you think? Should champions risk it all for glory, or play it safe? Share your thoughts in the comments!
2 – Joshua Van
Joshua Van began 2025 as a promising newcomer in the flyweight class (125 pounds) and finished as the undisputed champion, racking up four victories in just 10 months. This sets up an exciting 2026 for the division, full of potential rivalries and high-stakes battles.
I'll never get tired of recalling how Van predicted his big break to the late journalist Tom Gerbasi before UFC 310: if he beat Cody Durden, the year would be his turning point. And boy, was it! He soared from outside the rankings to the top, evolving with each contest before a premature injury forced champion Alexandre Pantoja out at UFC 323, handing Van the belt in an untimely but noteworthy way.
His wins against Rei Tsuray and Bruno Silva were commanding, highlighting his striking, grappling, and cardio skills. Then came a thrilling clash with Brandon Royval, dubbed our top fight of 2025, where he proved he's elite. And yes, the title change was due to injury, but the fact he was there, primed for victory, is unforgettable.
READ: Greatest Short-Notice Wins Of 2025
Succeeding in the UFC is tough—beating tougher foes even tougher. Van capitalized on every opportunity to challenge for gold in one year, earning four wins, including the title. We should cheer his achievements, not criticize the UFC 323 outcome. This is the part most people miss: short-notice wins like this can be career-altering, turning underdogs into legends overnight.
3 – Islam Makhachev
In 2025, Islam Makhachev delivered two commanding wins, solidifying his place among today's pound-for-pound elite and possibly all-time greats. For beginners, pound-for-pound rankings compare fighters across weight classes, like a heavyweight versus a lightweight, based on skill and impact.
In January, when his opponent Arman Tsarukyan pulled out at the last minute, Makhachev stepped in against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, swiftly defending his lightweight title. Later, eyeing a welterweight crown (170 pounds), he traveled to Madison Square Garden in November for UFC 322, overpowering Jack Della Maddalena to claim his second belt.
Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts to his win over Jack Della Maddalena of Australia in the UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 322 event at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
This tied Anderson Silva's UFC win streak record at 16, boosting his Octagon record to 17-1 and overall to 28-1. While some might debate if his opponents were up to par, Makhachev's consistency leaves no doubt—he's been this dominant for years.
View Islam Makhachev's Athlete Profile
Opinions vary on his spot in UFC history's pantheon, but after 2025, we might need to rethink the sport's all-time Mount Rushmore. And this is the part most people miss: multi-division champions like Makhachev inspire debates about whether versatility trumps specialization. Is he the greatest, or are we overlooking others? Join the conversation below!
4 – Waldo Cortes Acosta
Waldo Cortes Acosta enjoyed a solid year, capped by a dramatic November 1 win over Ante Delija at the UFC APEX, improving to 3-1 in 2025 and cementing his spot among the heavyweight top 10. Heavyweights fight at over 205 pounds, where power and durability are key.
Just three weeks later, on short notice, he traveled to Qatar to knock out Shamil Gaziev in the first round, adding two quick victories to his tally. The Dominican DWCS alum (that's the Dana White's Combat Sports promotion, a path to UFC stardom) grew post his August loss to Serghei Pavlovich, showing more urgency in subsequent fights. He even embraced the drama from his Delija bout—an accidental eye poke—wearing an eye patch and calling out heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall, who trains with Delija, referencing Aspinall's earlier title loss to Ciryl Gane.
Waldo Cortes Acosta Knocks Out Ryan Spann In The Second Round | UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs Dolidze 2
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Waldo Cortes Acosta Knocks Out Ryan Spann In The Second Round | UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs Dolidze 2
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While some had flashier wins or equal totals, Cortes Acosta maximized opportunities, boosting his profile. But here's where it gets controversial: His eye patch gimmick—was it clever promotion or disrespectful? Did it help or hurt his image? What are your opinions on fighters using personal drama to hype rivalries?
T5 – Valentina Shevchenko
Can a champion defend her title twice—first against the top contender, then a former champ from a lower division—and still feel underrated? That's Valentina Shevchenko's 2025 in a nutshell: Impressive yet underappreciated by many.
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At UFC 315 in Montreal, she fended off Manon Fiorot, the unbeaten No. 1 contender with a 12-fight streak. It was close, with Fiorot leading after three rounds, but Shevchenko turned it around for unanimous scores.
Six months later in New York, “Bullet” faced Zhang Weili, the ex-strawweight (115 pounds) queen moving up, and dominated for her second defense.
Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan reacts after her victory in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 322 event at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Shevchenko, 37, is so skilled—tactically brilliant—that we sometimes forget how hard it is to win every round. She's among the most complete fighters ever, and 2025 proved she's still at the top of flyweights.
T5 – Jiri Prochazka
Jiri Prochazka notched two wins, two finishes, and three bonuses in 2025, his high-energy style and second victory earning him a tie for fifth.
The Czech 34-year-old began with a third-round KO of Jamahal Hill, two former light heavyweight champs colliding.
Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic strikes Khalil Rountree Jr. in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 320 event at T-Mobile Arena on October 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
At UFC 320, he rallied against Khalil Rountree Jr. in one of the year's best fights, overcoming early deficits for a third-round finish. His intensity always draws attention, making his performances memorable. While others had wins, few matched his flair.
Others Receiving Votes: Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, Melquizael Costa, Anthony Hernandez, Petr Yan, Benoit Saint Denis, Michael Morales
What do you think about these rankings? Is there a fighter we overlooked, or one who deserved higher praise? Do you agree with the controversial decisions, like Dvalishvili's extra fight or Cortes Acosta's eye patch? Let's debate in the comments—your takes could spark some heated discussions!
