Leading Men in UFC this Year: Ranking the Top Five Males
UFC Fighter Awards Spectacular 2024 by the one and only, Quintin v J
5: Diego Lopes
Hailing from Brazil, Lopes went from buzz under your seat to full-blown revolution in 2024, bagging three big wins and a win streak extending to an impressive five.
Lopes (26-6) exploded onto the scene in 2024, knocking out Sodiq Yusuff in April, accepting a last-minute fight against Dan Ige in June and obliterating him, and then showing former title challenger Brian Ortega who's boss in September.
4: Merab Dvalishvili
This Georgian titan battled his way to the bantamweight title in 2024, clocking an impressive 10 consecutive victories before earning a well-deserved shot at the championship.
Henry Cejudo, a steep hurdle indeed, was the final challenge Dvalishvili (18-4) had to conquer to secure a title shot. With ease, the Machine out-grappled the Olympic gold medalist wrestler and former two-division UFC titleholder.
In September, in an otherworldly spectacle at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Dvalishvili destroyed Sean O'Malley, shutting down the dangerous striker for a full five rounds.
3: Dricus du Plessis
If 2024 goes down in history as the year of Dricus du Plessis, it wouldn't come as a surprise. The dynamic South African (22-2) took the UFC by storm and became the first-ever UFC champion from his country.
Starting off strong in the UFC, du Plessis won six straight fights to set himself up for a middleweight title shot in January 2024. In the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto, Canada, Du Plessis displayed exceptional skill and pure South African grit in a five-round war with Sean Strickland to secure the title via split decision.
This year, du Plessis engaged in one of the most intense rivalries of the year with all-time great Israel Adesanya, culminating in August at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. Adesanya tapped out for the first time in his career, surrendering to Stillknocks.
2: Alex Pereira
Pereira made history in 2024, becoming the fastest three-time UFC title defender in record time. After holding the middleweight title, Pereira (12-2) continued his record-breaking dominance with victories over Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka (twice) and Khalil Rountree Jr.
A modern-day executioner, Pereira's reign of terror extended Bronda Rousey's record with just 175 days separating his championship defenses. With frightening striking abilities, "Poatan" solidified his status as the sport's most chilling star outside of Conor McGregor.
1: Ilia Topuria
Topuria has ruled over the featherweight division in 2024, not only defeating, but annihilating the two greatest featherweights of all time in back-to-back victories.
Representing both Georgia and Spain, the 27-year-old emerged as the leader of the next generation of MMA fighters with an unrivaled skillset. "El Matador" captured the featherweight throne in awe-inspiring fashion, stunning long-time king Alexander Volkanovski in February to seize the crown and then becoming the first man to ever knockout Max Holloway.
Undefeated at 16-0, Topuria is a force to be reckoned with. The sky's the limit for this extraordinary legend killer.
Quintin van Jaarsveld reporting for sporting aficionados everywhere
Quintin Van Jaarsveld, the former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year, shares his insights on the UFC's top fighters of 2024. Working as a freelance sports writer, he boasts over 15 years of experience in the field.
In the world of UFC, 2024 was a significant year for rugby-loving South African Dricus du Plessis, as he became the first-ever UFC champion from his country and the year of his dominance.
Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria made history in the featherweight division, not only defeating but annihilating the two greatest featherweights of all time in back-to-back victories, cementing his place as a force to be reckoned with in sports.
