2025 MMA Draft: Top Building Blocks for Promotions

Sports news » 2025 MMA Draft: Top Building Blocks for Promotions

5 months ago 35

Inspired by the kickoff of the 2025 NFL Draft, the team at MMA Fighting once again conducted their annual mock draft, aiming to identify the 28 best fighters in mixed martial arts who could serve as foundational pieces for major promotions. Following the format of previous years, staff members took on the roles of general managers for prominent MMA organizations and drafted fighters to build their hypothetical rosters.

The rules were simple: four general managers representing four top promotions would take turns selecting fighters. This year`s featured promotions included the UFC, PFL, BKFC, and the newly emerging GFL. The GMs were randomly assigned: Damon Martin took the helm at GFL, Alexander K. Lee managed PFL, Jed Meshew led BKFC, and Mike Heck ran the UFC. The draft order was also randomized, with GFL holding the first pick, followed by PFL, BKFC, and the UFC concluding each round.

Page Contents

Let the Draft Begin

Round 1:

Representing **GFL**, Damon Martin made the first pick: **Conor McGregor**. The aim was immediate buzz and potentially using McGregor`s star power to get the new promotion off the ground, perhaps even securing a loan from the fighter himself.

For **PFL**, Alexander K. Lee selected heavyweight **Tom Aspinall**. Lee highlighted Aspinall as the true top heavyweight and a perfect fit for PFL`s global aspirations, citing his excitement in the cage and role as an ambassador.

Jed Meshew, leading **BKFC**, chose **Alex Pereira**. Embracing BKFC`s focus on striking, Meshew simply expressed a desire to see Pereira compete in bare-knuckle boxing.

Concluding the round for the **UFC**, Mike Heck drafted **Ilia Topuria**. Citing Topuria`s immense potential in both skill and star power, Heck deemed him the fighter with the highest ceiling on the roster and a crucial asset to retain.

Round 2:

**GFL**`s second pick was **Jon Jones**. Despite his age, Martin saw Jones as the greatest of all time and worth the risk, noting his limited time left in the sport aligns with GFL`s uncertain future.

**PFL** secured the pound-for-pound best fighter, **Islam Makhachev**. Lee emphasized that Makhachev`s elite talent bolsters PFL`s claim as where the best compete, fitting the league`s fighting style profile.

**BKFC** added **Dricus du Plessis**. Meshew, a noted supporter, saw du Plessis as a special athlete and star whose striking prowess fits BKFC well, also potentially opening a significant market in South Africa.

The **UFC** picked **Dakota Ditcheva**. Heck stated Ditcheva was a must-have, citing fan demand and the need for excitement, indicating a desire to bring her into the UFC immediately.

Round 3:

**GFL** chose **Francis Ngannou**. Martin aimed to set up a highly anticipated matchup against Jon Jones, acknowledging Ngannou`s continued ferocity despite being outside the UFC spotlight.

**PFL** drafted **Paddy Pimblett**. Lee paired Pimblett`s popularity and “sizzle” with Makhachev`s substance, seeing “The Baddy” as a valuable draw.

**BKFC** selected **Sean Strickland**. Meshew felt Strickland perfectly embodied BKFC`s brand and “shenanigans,” even joking about facilitating custom fight shorts.

The **UFC** picked **Mariusz Pudzianowski**. Heck aimed to add fun and excitement to the heavyweight division, believing Pudzianowski could be matchmade for entertaining fights while potentially impacting other promotions` plans.

Round 4:

**GFL**`s pick was **Ronda Rousey**. Martin hoped for a comeback despite her long retirement, suggesting a potential rematch with Holly Holm or another opponent from the draft class.

**PFL** added rising star **Jean Silva**. Lee highlighted Silva`s high stock after a recent win and saw him as a strong addition to their featherweight division.

**BKFC** selected **Jiri Prochazka**. Meshew simply wanted to see the exciting striker compete in bare knuckle, calling it a personal dream fight.

The **UFC** drafted **Dustin Poirier**. Heck prioritized ensuring Poirier`s final career fight happens in the UFC, suggesting a third bout against Max Holloway in New Orleans as a fitting conclusion.

Round 5:

**GFL** picked **Justin Gaethje**. Martin valued Gaethje as a dependable, durable, and exciting lightweight who consistently delivers non-boring fights, a trait needed in the promotion.

**PFL** chose **Khamzat Chimaev**. Lee admitted rolling the dice on Chimaev`s potential elite status, recognizing that his fights are appointment viewing, and his infrequent activity aligns with PFL stars` schedules.

**BKFC** selected **Mike Perry**. Meshew emphasized Perry`s status as the face and co-owner of BKFC, viewing him as the perfect avatar for bare-knuckle fighting and someone the promotion stands by.

The **UFC** drafted **Bo Nickal**. Heck`s reasoning implied Nickal was a crucial pick for the promotion, fitting their need for exciting talent.

Round 6:

**GFL** selected **Gina Carano**. Martin noted she technically never retired and was previously in talks for a comeback, suggesting a potential fight against the newly drafted Ronda Rousey.

**PFL** added **Oumar Kane**, also known as “Reug Reug,” from ONE Championship. Lee saw Kane as a unique heavyweight with surprising durability and a potential opponent for Tom Aspinall.

**BKFC** drafted **Jose Aldo**. Meshew expressed admiration for the former champion and wanted to see the legendary fighter have a bare-knuckle chapter to his career.

The **UFC** picked **Gadzhi Rabadanov**. Heck called Rabadanov the most underrated fighter in the world and acknowledged that drafting him likely prevented him from winning the PFL lightweight tournament, highlighting his high skill level.

Round 7:

**GFL** concluded their draft with **Nate Diaz**. Martin aimed to create a highly bankable third fight against Conor McGregor, noting Diaz`s age fits GFL`s profile.

**PFL**`s final pick was **Themba Gorimbo**. Lee`s strategy was to leverage Gorimbo`s friendship with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to generate mainstream media attention and buzz for the promotion.

**BKFC** drafted **Alanis Hughes**. Meshew saw Hughes as a future talent for BKFC, representing a succession plan for their aging roster and fitting the promotion`s brand with her willingness to engage.

The **UFC**`s last pick was **Cédric Doumbé**. Heck planned to matchmake Doumbé carefully, focusing on striking matchups to create highlight reels and build him into the star he has the potential to be.