MMA 25 under 25: Which fighters are the future of the sport?

2024 will mark the sixth year ESPN has compiled a list of the 25 best MMA fighters in the world under the age of 25.

The list’s purpose is twofold: Highlight the young stars serving as the faces of the sport and project the prospects who will be on the big stage very soon.

To be clear, the list is not foolproof. Just because you’re young and on the big stage doesn’t mean your star status is guaranteed. Nor does being considered a highly touted prospect mean one will have a long-lasting career in the top MMA promotions. For every Sean O’Malley (who finished No. 2 on ESPN’s 2019 list and would become a UFC champion in 2023) there’s a Jimmy Crute (who finished No. 1 on ESPN’s 2020 list and has a 0-3-1 record since 2021).

Our panel — Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Dre Waters, Jeff Wagenheim, Eddie Maisonet and Laura Sanko — selected fighters based on achievement and potential. Okamoto, Hale, Waters and Wagenheim provide breakdowns of the fighters.

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Tatsuro Taira’s takedown injures Alex Perez to finish the fight

Tatsuro Taira’s body triangle injuries Alex Perez and gives Taira the win after Perez taps.

1. Tatsuro Taira (14-0)

UFC men’s flyweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on Jan. 27, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 4
Next fight: TBA

The sport of MMA has historically been unkind to fighters in their early 20s. They are expected to take a few lumps before rounding into their best form. If Taira’s split-decision loss to flyweight title contender Brandon Royval in a scintillating battle — his first loss in 16 fights — is any indication, Taira is on the cusp of wrapping gold around his waist. Japan has been looking for its next MMA star, and once the 24-year-old’s striking catches up to his exceptionally crafty grappling, the 125-pound division may find its new king. Few fighters at his age have put it all together, and Taira is already ahead of his peers. After showing that he is just as resilient as he is talented in his back-and-forth fight with Royval in October, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Taira knock at the door for a title opportunity before the end of 2025. — Hale

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Raul Rosas Jr. leads crowd in iconic ‘chiwiwi’ chant

After his win at UFC 306, Raul Rosas Jr. celebrates by having the crowd yell his iconic chant.

2. Raul Rosas Jr. (10-1)

UFC men’s bantamweight
Age: 20 (turns 25 on Oct. 8, 2029)
Last year’s rank: No. 7
Next Fight: TBA

Rosas is in a league of his own, even within this 25 under 25 project. He is still younger than Jon Jones when Jones made his UFC debut in 2008, and he already has five fights of UFC experience. Before his last bout in September, he told ESPN he wants to retire by the age of 25. The grappling is what sets him apart, particularly his ability to force it on opponents when they know it’s coming. If he can already do that now, with his relatively limited experience, imagine how polished that skill set should become over time. His confidence has also been unshakeable thus far. — Okamoto

3. Iasmin Lucindo (17-5)

UFC strawweight
Age: 22 (turns 25 on Jan. 8, 2027)
Last year’s rank: No. 14
Next fight: TBA

Although she is the youngest woman on the UFC roster, Lucindo is a veteran of the sport, with 22 fights under her belt after starting her pro career at age 14. She made it to the UFC in 2022 and lost her debut, but since then, she has won her past four fights. Her most recent outing was her best: a victory over then-ranked Marina Rodriguez in October. That one came by split decision, but Lucindo has finished in 11 of her 17 wins (eight KOs, three submissions). She fights with confidence in her diverse skill set. Watch out, 115-pound division. — Wagenheim

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Rei Tsuruya celebrates with Shinsuke Nakamura in his corner

Rei Tsuruya celebrates in the style of WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura with Nakamura himself in his corner after the win at UFC 303.

4. Rei Tsuruya (10-0)

UFC men’s flyweight
Age: 22 (turns 25 on June 22, 2027)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: Feb. 8 vs. Stewart Nicoll

In some ways, Tsuruya is a throwback to MMA past in that he’s a welcome potential star from Japan — a region that used to be synonymous with high-profile MMA but has ceded that global spotlight — and his weapon of choice is his very creative jiu-jitsu game. Tsuruya is a clever, risk-taking grappling specialist, and so far, he appears talented enough to continue to rise even when he runs into physical, well-rounded wrestlers. Like most other names on this list, his comfort level in big spots, even early in his career, is apparent. He still has much to prove — he’s the second youngest fighter in the UFC behind Rosas — but on eye test alone, he has breakout potential. — Okamoto

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Mairon Santos’ huge KO earns him Ultimate Fighter title

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Mairon Santos knocks out Kaan Ofli in show-stopping fashion to win the Ultimate Fighter in Round 2.

5. Mairon Santos (15-1)

UFC featherweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on June 10, 2025)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

Santos’ performance on this year’s “The Ultimate Fighter” season propelled the Brazilian fighter into the top-5 of this year’s rankings. Led by his high-level striking and kickboxing, Santos reeled off three straight wins on TUF — including a second-round knockout over Kaan Ofli in the finale — to become the featherweight winner. His ability to blend precision striking and range control with his submission defense could make him a tough out for opponents at 145 pounds. Santos has yet to compete in the Octagon since winning the TUF finale in August, but his showing suggests that he could find himself taking on some of the best featherweights in the future. — Waters

6. Denise Gomes (10-3)

UFC strawweight
Age: 23 (turns 25 on Dec. 30, 2024)
Last year’s rank: No. 16
Next Fight: TBA

When Gomes wiped out Yazmin Jauregui in just 20 seconds in 2023, the strawweight division was formally put on notice. Gomes, a violent striker who bullies her opposition, has showcased her ever-evolving set of offensive tools during her two years in the UFC. She has gone 4-2 in her last six fights and spent three years sharpening her skills as she prepares to take the next leap in her young career. Her recent victory over former title contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz showcased a Brazilian fighter who matches power and tactical aggression with a growing fight IQ. Given Gomes’ current run, don’t be surprised if she’s in the title mix before the end of 2025. — Hale

7. Felipe dos Santos (8-2)

UFC men’s flyweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on Sept. 11, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 6
Next fight: TBA

Dos Santos earned a lot of credit in 2023 when he accepted a short-notice UFC debut against a ranked opponent in Manel Kape — a matchup that, on paper, he very clearly wasn’t ready for. He rose to the challenge, and although he lost a three-round decision, he and Kape won Fight of the Night honors at UFC 293. Dos Santos hails from Chute Boxe Academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and carries all of the characteristics one would expect from that action-seeking camp. His standup is dangerous, active and fun to watch. He has failed to defend 12 of 14 takedown attempts so far in the UFC, so there’s a glaring hole in his game. But he has the time and talent to address it. — Okamoto

8. Joshua Van (9-1)

UFC men’s flyweight
Age: 23 (turns 25 on Oct. 10, 2026)
Last year’s rank: No. 18
Next fight: Dec. 7 vs. Cody Durden

After Van won a decision over Édgar Cháirez in September for his eighth victory in his past nine fights, he was asked what he wanted next. “I want to fight that boy Cody Durden,” he said. And that’s exactly who he will get on Saturday at UFC 310, when Van makes his sixth trip inside the Octagon. He has six knockouts and a pair of submissions among his 11 victories. That well-rounded skill set will come in handy as Van steadily raises his level of competition. — Wagenheim

9. Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0)

Bellator men’s featherweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on Oct. 6, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 5
Next fight: TBA

The undefeated younger brother of Zabit, Khasan has started knocking at the door for a title opportunity in PFL and Bellator. A competent grappler who is more than capable in the standup, Magomedsharipov has been dominant during his short time in MMA and has shown no signs of slowing down. He’s put away opponents in a variety of ways — ranging from the elusive twister submission to filthy ground and pound — and has shown few, if any, holes in his game. If he ends up being anything like his retired brother, the organization has a star on its hands. — Hale

10. Muhammad Mokaev (13-0)

Brave CF men’s flyweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on July 30, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 2
Next fight: Dec. 13 vs. Luthando Biko

Mokaev has made some mistakes (maybe youthful mistakes, one could add), but they’ve taken place outside of competition rather than within. Inside the cage, he’s been close to perfect. His lack of aggression in blowout fights has turned off some fans, but no one can argue with the results. He’s 11-0 at age 24, and that includes fights against some top-level opponents. The fact the UFC still elected to drop him speaks to some of his decision-making outside of the cage. He wants to be back in the UFC, though, and time does tend to heal grievances. Regardless of where he fights, his smothering, wrestle-heavy style will be a problem for any opponent. — Okamoto

11. Stephanie Luciano (6-1-1)

UFC strawweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on Dec. 16, 2024)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

The Cesar Gordon protégé was lauded by Dana White for having the “it factor” despite battling Talita Alencar to a draw last year on “Dana White’s Contender Series.” She made good on White’s praise by winning the rematch earlier this year with effective striking and defensive wrestling. The jury is still out on how “Rondinha” will fare against stiffer competition, but her striking already sets her apart from the rest of the strawweights. White’s praise set the bar high for the Brazilian, and she appears more than ready to answer the call and prove the UFC CEO right. — Hale

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Tom Nolan finishes off Bogdan Grad with vicious punch

Tom Nolan punches his ticket to a UFC contract after finishing off Bogdan Grad in Dana White’s Contender Series.

12. Tom Nolan (8-1)

UFC lightweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on March 8, 2025)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

Some nicknames are more fitting than others. “Big Train” is pretty spot-on for Nolan. The Queensland, Australia, lightweight stands 6-foot-3 and absolutely cracks on the feet. His knockout on DWCS last year was the kind of highlight they’ll show for the rest of his career. He’s 2-1 in the UFC so far, and as long as he doesn’t underperform, expect the promotion to put him in favorable positions. Winnable fights, in highly visible situations. He’s got an “it factor” to him, and that ever-important highlight reel could be pretty nasty in time. — Okamoto

13. Luana Santos (8-2)

UFC women’s flyweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on April 16, 2025)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

Santos had won in her first three UFC appearances and was on a five-fight winning streak when she ran up against Casey O’Neill in August, and O’Neill won a decision largely by fending off most attempts by Santos to get the fight to the canvas. Half of Santos’ victories have come by submission, but she’s strong in standup fighting too, and going forward she’s going to be called upon to show that again and again. — Wagenheim

14. Cameron Saaiman (9-2)

UFC men’s bantamweight
Age: 23 (turns 25 on Dec. 20, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 17
Next Fight: TBA

Saaiman was 9-0 with knockouts in six of those fights when he lost a competitive matchup with Christian Rodriguez in October 2023. He returned in March, and it didn’t go well, as Payton Talbott knocked him out early in Round 2. Between the losses and an injury suffered in training, Saaiman has work ahead of him to get back on track. — Wagenheim

15. Austin Bashi (13-0)

UFC featherweight
Age: 23 (turns 25 on Sept. 29, 2026)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: Jan. 11 vs. Christian Rodriguez

Despite being ranked No. 15, Bashi may be one of the most recognizable fighters on this list to hardcore MMA fans. Bashi is widely regarded as one of the top prospects across mixed martial arts. He has yet to compete in the UFC since earning a contract on the past season of “Dana White’s Contender Series,” but keep an eye out for his first matchup vs. Christian Rodriguez in January. Bashi has a real ability to put opponents away, with finishes in each of his last five fights. — Waters

16. Lucas Brennan (9-1)

Fury FC men’s bantamweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on June 3, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 15
Next fight: Dec. 15 vs. Mauricio Gomez

Brennan was well on his way to competing for a top-5 spot but dropped a decision to Dimitre Ivy earlier this year. Before suffering his first loss, the jiu-jitsu practitioner tore through the competition and became the first fighter in Bellator history to finish a fight with the elusive assassin’s choke. He has since parted ways with the promotion, but with his high-level grappling, it’s only a matter of time before “Skywalker” finds a new home to submit a new wave of opponents. — Hale

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Kevin Vallejos finishes Cam Teague with flurry of punches

Kevin Vallejos drops Cam Teague after unloading an unreal amount of punches to Teague’s body.

17. Kevin Vallejos (14-1)

UFC featherweight
Age: 22 (turns 25 on Dec. 8, 2026)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

Vallejos is one of three UFC featherweights on this list, as the future could be bright for the 145-pound division. Vallejos scored an impressive first-round TKO finish on DWCS earlier this year to earn a spot on the UFC roster. In that fight, Vallejos’ punching power and accuracy were on full display as he ripped combinations to his opponent’s body and head until the referee stopped the fight. Vallejos has yet to compete in the UFC, but if his DWCS fight was any indication, the 22-year-old could develop into a major player at 145 pounds. — Waters

18. Francisco Prado (12-2)

UFC lightweight
Age: 22 (turns June 16, 2027)
Last year’s rank: No. 20
Next Fight: TBA

Considering that this entire list is based around youth, growing pains and lack of experience are to be expected. Such is the case with Prado, who has only been fighting professionally for five years and took a massive step up in competition when he signed with the UFC in 2023. He’s 1-2 in the Octagon, and a loss to Daniel Zellhuber in February showed a ton of room for growth. It also showed a lot of Prado’s mental and physical durability, though. He’s been thrown into the deep end, perhaps a little early. But there is a lot of natural finishing ability in this Argentinian, and if he can shore up a few things, he has another gear to him that others simply aren’t born with. — Okamoto

19. Fatima Kline (6-1)

UFC women’s flyweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on July 12, 2025)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

Kline suffered her first loss in her UFC debut in July, dropping a decision to Jasmine Jasudavicius. Next month, she has an opportunity to bounce back, as she faces Viktoriia Dudakova, who is also coming off her first career defeat. Kline is a strong grappler, like her training partner Erin Blanchfield. — Wagenheim

20. Shanelle Dyer (6-0)

PFL women’s flyweight
Age: 23 (turns 25 on April 23, 2026)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

A brutal head kick knockout earlier this year put “The Nightmare” on the map and had Jake Paul sharing her striking prowess with his social media followers. Dyer is still learning the “mixed” part of MMA, but her stellar background as a multi-time champion in Muay Thai has set the 23-year-old up for success once she puts it all together. Her arrow is pointing straight up, and the London product has the right combination of grit and technical prowess to make a push to break out in 2025. — Hale

21. Nurullo Aliev (9-0)

UFC lightweight
Age: 23 (turns 25 on Dec. 8, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 9
Next fight: Jan. 11 vs. Yanal Ashmouz

Aliev has only recorded one fight in the UFC (a majority decision win over Rafael Alves in February 2023) since earning a contract on DWCS in September 2022. Aliev is undefeated in his pro career, but his lack of activity since making his UFC debut is concerning. He was scheduled to make his second Octagon appearance last November but was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a left knee injury. Aliev is a talented fighter, but with only one fight in over two years, his slide from No. 9 in last year’s 25-under-25 list is understandable. — Waters

22. Rongzhu (25-6)

UFC lightweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on March 7, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 21
Next fight: TBA

Rongzhu was one of China’s top prospects a few years ago, but his path in the UFC has been a challenging one thus far. He signed with the company in 2021 and went 1-2 in his first three appearances. He also missed weight for two of those three fights. The 24-year-old returned to his winning ways in a four-fight streak outside of the UFC, although it was arguably against rather underwhelming opposition. In a UFC return in September, he suffered a terrible facial injury from an elbow in a loss to Chris Padilla. He has 30 fights’ worth of experience under his belt, but he’ll be at a bit of a crossroads whenever we see him after this latest injury. — Okamoto

23. Tereza Bleda (7-1)

UFC women’s flyweight
Age: 23 (turns 25 on Nov. 30, 2026)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

Bleda responded to being knocked out in her UFC debut by scoring a dominant win over Gabriella Fernandes in June 2023. But she has been unable to build upon that victory. She was slated to face Casey O’Neill in August but withdrew without explanation, and she has not competed since. Bleda has potential if she can get back in the cage. — Wagenheim

24. Makoto Takahashi (16-1-1)

Rizin men’s flyweight
Age: 24 (turns 25 on July 5, 2025)
Last year’s rank: No. 25
Next Fight: TBA

Shinryu has had an interesting career for someone who has yet to reach 25. He has fought for flyweight titles in the Japanese promotion DEEP, Cage Fury, Bellator MMA and Rizin. He’s shared the cage with some of the best in the world, and certainly the best from his home country of Japan — notably, Kyoji Horiguchi and Tatsumitsu Wada. There’s a new wave of Japanese talent that currently might grab more attention, despite “Shinryu’s” championship track record, but if he gets on the right run against quality competition, that should quickly change. — Okamoto

25. Kade Ruotolo (2-0)

ONE Championship welterweight
Age: 21 (turns 25 on Jan. 22, 2028)
Last year’s rank: NR
Next fight: TBA

Ruotolo is undoubtedly the most skilled grappler on this list — and it may not even be close. The One Championship lightweight submission grappling champion is one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world, and thus far, those skills have translated well into mixed martial arts. Ruotolo made his professional MMA debut in June, winning by first-round submission. He followed that up with another first-round submission win in November. It’s still early in his MMA career, and he needs to continue to develop his striking skills, but Ruotolo’s elite grappling could take him far in MMA. — Waters