Inspired by the excitement of the 2025 NFL Draft, the MMA Fighting team continues its annual tradition: a fantasy draft where writers take the reins of major MMA promotions and select fighters to build their ideal rosters. This exercise simulates how promotions might strategically acquire talent.
The format remains similar to previous years, with MMA Fighting staffers acting as General Managers for hypothetical promotions. The goal? Assemble the strongest collection of fighters, which is then often judged by the audience.
Draft Rules Refresher
Last year featured promotions like BKFC, ONE Championship, PFL, KSW, and the UFC, with Mike Heck`s BKFC roster emerging victorious. This year sees a slightly altered landscape. The UFC and PFL are back, as is last year`s winner, BKFC. However, given the changing nature of ONE Championship and a desire to include a newer entity, the GFL (Global Fight League) joins the mix, potentially for its only appearance in this simulation.
The General Managers were randomly assigned: Damon Martin takes charge of the GFL, Alexander K. Lee heads the PFL, Jed Meshew manages BKFC, and Mike Heck leads the UFC. As the newest promotion, GFL holds the first pick, followed by PFL, then BKFC, with the UFC selecting last in each round. With the rules clear, let`s dive into the draft picks.
Draft Selections Round by Round
Round 1, Pick 1: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Conor McGregor
Martin explains the GFL isn`t focused on viral moments but simply putting on a single show. Drafting McGregor could enable them to get started, perhaps even needing a loan from the superstar. McGregor is envisioned as the face, potentially even the “president,” as long as the financials work out.
Round 1, Pick 2: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Tom Aspinall
Lee, representing “The League,” notes their previous association with Francis Ngannou. However, recognizing Ngannou`s potentially short fight future, PFL opts for Tom Aspinall, calling him the “true” number one heavyweight. Aspinall fits the PFL`s global expansion plans, is seen as a great ambassador, and provides exciting fights.
Round 1, Pick 3: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Alex Pereira
Meshew acknowledges this pick might resemble Mike Heck`s strategy from last year but insists he`s simply securing the most entertaining fighters first. Though Pereira is no longer a UFC champion, BKFC wants to see him compete in bare-knuckle boxing, enjoying the prospect of him landing powerful shots.
Round 1, Pick 4: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Ilia Topuria
Heck states the UFC`s current state of cruising along without worry is reaching a boiling point with fans. They need to retain fighters with the highest potential in both skill and star power. Topuria is deemed the most essential fighter to protect on the UFC roster, a clear first-round priority for obvious reasons.
Round 2, Pick 5: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Jon Jones
Martin believes GFL excels at drafting and makes a bold second pick. At 37, Jones is considered young for their organization, but GFL is willing to take the risk. Jones`s indication that he doesn`t have much time left in the sport aligns perfectly with GFL`s own potentially limited lifespan.
Round 2, Pick 6: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Islam Makhachev
Lee emphasizes that “The League” is where the best compete. To maintain this claim, PFL drafts the Pound-for-Pound best fighter, Islam Makhachev. He fits the fighting style of many PFL champions and is an incredible talent, bolstering their elite roster, even if he doesn`t significantly boost casual viewership.
Round 2, Pick 7: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Dricus du Plessis
Meshew, a vocal supporter of du Plessis, picks him for both his ring potential and personal preference. DDP is seen as a special athlete and star who, despite his grappling skill, fits the BKFC mold of a large fighter who delivers powerful strikes. This pick also offers an opportunity to tap into the South African market, given the country`s love for rugby, seen as a form of bare-knuckle football.
Round 2, Pick 8: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Dakota Ditcheva
Heck declares that if Topuria was the must-keep, Ditcheva is the must-have. Fans and Ditcheva herself want this move, and the UFC needs her excitement and intrigue. Heck suggests making the immediate move to sign her now rather than waiting for contracts to expire, giving everyone (except PFL) what they desire.
Round 3, Pick 9: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Francis Ngannou
With Aspinall off the board, GFL needs an opponent for Jon Jones` potential debut (perhaps his only fight for GFL). Martin brings in Francis Ngannou, noting he`s been out of the spotlight in PFL but remains ferocious. A Jones vs. Ngannou matchup is precisely the kind of high-profile fight GFL requires.
Round 3, Pick 10: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Paddy Pimblett
Lee acknowledges GFL`s move for Ngannou, though he isn`t fond of it. PFL pivots, moving on from Ngannou and drafting the increasingly popular, now-former UFC star, Paddy Pimblett. Lee sees Makhachev as the “steak” and Pimblett as the “sizzle,” adding mainstream appeal with the fighter from Liverpool.
Round 3, Pick 11: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Derrick Lewis
Meshew ponders if this is a wasted pick but emphasizes BKFC`s commitment to their own brand and personality. GFL took their co-owner (McGregor), so they can`t lose the promotion`s face. Lewis is seen as perfectly fitting BKFC`s “shenanigans” and could even be accommodated with custom gear that matches his personality.
Round 3, Pick 12: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Cedric Doumbe
Heck laments that this wasn`t a snake draft, which might have kept Pimblett on the UFC roster. Since he couldn`t retain Pimblett, Heck focuses on adding fun and excitement to the heavyweight division, which he feels needs it most. Doumbe will be matched correctly, avoiding grappling threats initially, to ensure exciting highlight-reel finishes that fans tune in for.
Round 4, Pick 13: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Ronda Rousey
Martin knows Rousey is retired, but points to Chris Weidman`s return for GFL as precedent. Rousey hasn`t fought in nine years, which GFL sees as the perfect lead-up for a return. With Holly Holm potentially under contract, a rematch is possible, or the draft might present another opponent for “Rowdy`s” GFL debut.
Round 4, Pick 14: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Jean Silva
Lee urges readers not to vote for GFL as the winner. PFL continues adding buzzworthy fighters, selecting Jean Silva. His stock is high after a recent victory, making him a valuable addition to PFL`s featherweight roster, which Lee feels is often overlooked.
Round 4, Pick 15: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Jiri Prochazka
Meshew is slightly disappointed Silva was taken but pivots to his “other large, adult son,” Jiri Prochazka. For Meshew, seeing Prochazka fight is a top priority in MMA, and he drafts him to make that bare-knuckle clash happen, regardless of titles or implications.
Round 4, Pick 16: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Dustin Poirier
Heck insists there`s no scenario where Dustin Poirier`s final fight happens outside the UFC. Poirier`s “Last Dance” is considered one of the most genuinely exciting and emotional potential events for the UFC in 2025. A trilogy bout against Max Holloway in New Orleans is envisioned as a fitting end to a memorable career.
Round 5, Pick 17: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Justin Gaethje
Martin acknowledges the need for excitement and the possibility that their first four picks might not compete. Gaethje is drafted as a dependable asset: a top lightweight who guarantees non-boring, durable performances, something crucial for the GFL.
Round 5, Pick 18: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Khamzat Chimaev
For the second consecutive year, Lee takes a chance on Khamzat Chimaev, acknowledging he might be the best fighter in the world, though uncertainty remains. Every Chimaev fight is appointment viewing, and his schedule (often fighting once a year) aligns well with PFL`s potential schedule for its stars.
Round 5, Pick 19: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Mike Perry
Meshew considers the possibility this pick is wasted but emphasizes BKFC`s loyalty. With McGregor, a co-owner, drafted early by GFL, BKFC cannot lose its face. Mike Perry is credited with helping build the promotion and remains the perfect representation of bare-knuckle fighting.
Round 5, Pick 20: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Chris Weidman
Heck thanks Meshew (presumably for drafting Perry, leaving Doumbe open earlier) but then selects Chris Weidman. This seems to be a strategic pick to prevent GFL from utilizing Weidman, who returned for them in the simulated draft, and perhaps to target their roster`s age profile.
Round 6, Pick 21: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Gina Carano
Martin calls this the “steal of the draft.” Carano technically never retired, making her “fresher” than Rousey despite a longer layoff. Carano was previously in talks with the UFC for a fight against Rousey. GFL aims to finally put together the Carano vs. Rousey fight that Martin jokes “nobody was asking for” in 2025, capitalizing on the potential.
Round 6, Pick 22: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Oumar Kane (Reug Reug)
Lee admits they can`t fully shrug off losing Ngannou but pivots to Oumar Kane, likely the only ONE Championship fighter drafted. Kane recently went the distance and won a questionable split decision against Anatoly Malykhin. PFL is prepared to offer him a massive matchup against Aspinall right away, despite his inactivity since November.
Round 6, Pick 23: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Jose Aldo
Meshew considers this a personal pick, expressing admiration for Aldo (“The Greatest Featherweight of All Time”) and frustration with his recent booking in the UFC. BKFC believes bare-knuckle is the perfect format for Aldo`s final chapter, where point fighting and control aren`t prioritized, allowing him to showcase his striking.
Round 6, Pick 24: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Gadzhi Rabadanov
Heck labels this a “hipster” or “selfish” pick, calling Rabadanov the most underrated fighter globally. He feels bad potentially costing Rabadanov $500,000 by drafting him, preventing him from winning the PFL lightweight tournament. Heck believes Rabadanov might be a top-ten lightweight and wants to see him tested in the UFC.
Round 7, Pick 25: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Nate Diaz
To end strong and potentially access Conor McGregor`s bank account, GFL aims to set up a trilogy fight between McGregor and Nate Diaz. Their previous two bouts were massive UFC sellers, and GFL believes a third would also draw huge viewership. Martin notes Diaz turned 40 this year, putting him in the “prime” for GFL`s roster age profile.
Round 7, Pick 26: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Themba Gorimbo
Lee goes “way outside the box,” drafting Gorimbo and, by extension, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Lee emphasizes PFL`s goal of generating mainstream buzz and sees The Rock`s association with Gorimbo as a way to promote an inspiring story. Referencing WrestleMania, Lee jokes that The Rock commits to his storylines.
Round 7, Pick 27: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Taylor Hughes
Meshew looks to the future with this pick. Hughes is seen as an emerging talent who is willing to engage in exciting fights and has a penchant for talking. Hughes is drafted as a potential successor plan for when current BKFC aging stars like Mike Perry eventually retire.
Round 7, Pick 28: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Cedric Doumbe
Heck jokes that Meshew stole his previous pick (likely Hughes, although the article seems to have Doumbe listed twice with overlapping rationale, one at pick 12 and one here at pick 28. Assuming pick 12 is correct based on the context of losing Pimblett), but states he has a great backup. He reiterates the plan for Doumbe (“Doumbe-mania”) in the UFC, promising correct matchmaking that avoids wrestlers/grapplers to create highlight reels. Heck credits PFL for developing Doumbe, allowing the UFC to make him the star he deserves to be.
*Correction: The source text lists Doumbe at pick 12 with justification and then mentions him again at pick 28 as Heck`s selection with similar justification. There seems to be a discrepancy or error in the source text itself. Assuming the pick at 28 is the final one mentioned for Heck, and the reasoning fits the narrative flow better at the end after Meshew`s pick, we will present it here as the final pick, acknowledging the potential duplicate or error in the source.*
Final Draft Results:
- GFL (Damon Martin): Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Justin Gaethje, Gina Carano, Nate Diaz
- PFL (Alexander K. Lee): Tom Aspinall, Islam Makhachev, Paddy Pimblett, Jean Silva, Khamzat Chimaev, Oumar Kane (Reug Reug), Themba Gorimbo
- BKFC (Jed Meshew): Alex Pereira, Dricus du Plessis, Derrick Lewis, Jiri Prochazka, Mike Perry, Jose Aldo, Taylor Hughes
- UFC (Mike Heck): Ilia Topuria, Dakota Ditcheva, Cedric Doumbe, Dustin Poirier, Chris Weidman, Gadzhi Rabadanov, Cedric Doumbe
*Note: The source text lists Cedric Doumbe twice for the UFC roster.*
