Inspired by the annual NFL Draft kicking off in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the MMA Fighting team continued their tradition by holding a mock draft for the world of mixed martial arts. Just like in previous years, the crew assembled to select the best fighters and biggest stars, building hypothetical franchises for the top MMA promotions.
The concept is straightforward: four members of the MMA Fighting team take control of a major MMA promotion and draft fighters to construct their ideal rosters. After the draft concludes, readers vote on which team has put together the strongest collection of talent.
Draft Rules Overview
A quick reminder of the rules: This year`s draft features four promotions: GFL, PFL, BKFC, and the UFC. The General Managers (GMs) – Damon Martin, Alexander K. Lee, Jed Meshew, and Mike Heck – were randomly assigned to lead one of these promotions. As the newest organization, GFL received the first overall pick, followed by PFL, then BKFC, with the UFC picking last in each round.
Ready? Let`s dive into the picks.
The 2025 MMA Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 1: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Conor McGregor.
Martin: At GFL, we`re not focused on viral moments; we just need to put on one show! With the first pick being Conor McGregor, that might actually help us get off the ground. While most top picks seek big contracts, we`re hoping Conor can give us a loan to promote our debut event. He can be the face, even president if he wants – just make sure the check clears!
Round 1, Pick 2: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Tom Aspinall.
Lee: Here at “The League,” we`ve highlighted Francis Ngannou, but his fight career might be short. So, we`re bringing in the true number one heavyweight, Mr. Tom Aspinall. Tommy fits perfectly with our global expansion plans, is a great ambassador, and incredibly exciting in the cage. The opponent doesn`t matter; he`s our new face.
Round 1, Pick 3: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Alex Pereira.
Meshew: Some might say I`m copying Mike`s strategy from last year, and to that I say, “Duh!” We had the same idea, but he picked earlier and took the fun fighters. Not this year! “Poatan” might not be a UFC champ anymore, but that doesn`t matter to me and BKFC. I just want to watch this man BOOP people with bare knuckles. Is that too much to ask?
Round 1, Pick 4: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Ilia Topuria.
Heck: Folks, I won`t sugarcoat it – we`ve been comfortable, but fan frustration is nearing a boiling point. We need to keep the guy with the highest potential on our entire roster, in skill and star power. Ilia Topuria was the most vital fighter to protect in the UFC, and we couldn`t let him out of the first round for obvious reasons.
Round 2, Pick 5: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Jon Jones.
Martin: Nobody drafts better than GFL! With our second pick, we`re taking the greatest of all time. At 37, Jones is a bit young for us, but we`ll risk it. He`s also stated he doesn`t have much time left, which fits our philosophy because we probably don`t have much time left either!
Round 2, Pick 6: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Islam Makhachev.
Lee: The League is where the best compete. How can we claim that without the Pound-for-Pound king, Islam Makhachev? Frankly, he fits the style of many of our champions. While he might not attract casual dollars, he`s a perfect brand fit and an incredible talent to boost our elite roster.
Round 2, Pick 7: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Dricus du Plessis.
Meshew: I`ve been Dricus du Plessis`s biggest media supporter since he joined the UFC, so this pick is personal and strategic. DDP is a special athlete and star. Despite his grappling skills, he`ll fit perfectly as a big guy throwing heavy hands. Plus, du Plessis gives us access to South Africa, a huge potential market given their love for rugby (which is basically bare-knuckle football with fighting).
Round 2, Pick 8: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Dakota Ditcheva.
Heck: If Ilia Topuria was our must-keep, Dakota Ditcheva is our must-have. The fans want it, Ditcheva clearly wants it, and the UFC needs the excitement. Why wait for contracts to expire? This is the immediate move. Let`s pull the trigger and give everyone—except PFL—what they want.
Round 3, Pick 9: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Francis Ngannou.
Martin: With Tommy Aspinall off the board, we need someone for Jones`s potential GFL debut. We`re revisiting the matchup everyone wanted years ago. Ngannou has been out of sight in PFL, but he`s still one of the most dangerous fighters. Putting him against Jones is exactly the kind of fight we need.
Round 3, Pick 10: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Paddy Pimblett.
Lee: I see what GFL is doing… and I don`t like it. Fortunately, we planned for an Ngannou loss. We thank him for his service and move to the newest sensation, former UFC star Paddy Pimblett. We have the substance with Makhachev and the sizzle with the popular “Baddy” from Liverpool. Our stars fight about once a year anyway, so the schedules align perfectly!
Round 3, Pick 11: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Mike Perry.
Meshew: Look, are there “better” fighters available? Probably. But BKFC is a lifestyle as much as a promotion. Is anyone in MMA right now a better fit for our brand of antics? We`ll even let him smoke cigarettes on the way to the ring and help get him custom Marlboro Red shorts.
Round 3, Pick 12: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Heck: First off, this should have been a snake draft, and Paddy Pimblett would have stayed on my roster. But I move on… Since I can`t keep Pimblett, the UFC`s goal is fun and excitement, especially in the heavyweight division. We`ll matchmake him correctly (unlike KSW, apologies to them!) and ensure everyone tunes in. Additionally, this pick hurts BKFC and GFL based on their likely age ranges. Excited to have him.
Round 4, Pick 13: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Ronda Rousey.
Martin: I know what you`re thinking—Ronda Rousey is retired. But so was Chris Weidman, and he returned for GFL honor! We believe Rousey can make a comeback. She hasn`t fought in nine years, but that kind of layoff just screams for a return! We have Holly Holm under contract, so maybe a rematch, or this draft might provide another option for “Rowdy” in her GFL debut.
Round 4, Pick 14: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Jean Silva.
Lee: Listen, I`ll just say it: If you vote for GFL as the winner, you`re a bad person. Explain yourself! We`re keeping the momentum with another buzzworthy fighter and the second “Fighting Nerd” off the board, “Lord” Jean Silva. His stock is incredibly high after beating Bryce Mitchell, and he`s a fantastic addition to our overlooked featherweight division.
Round 4, Pick 15: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Jiri Prochazka.
Meshew: Oof. That stings; I hoped to get Silva this round for a “Fighting Nerds Bash Brothers” scenario. Great pick for PFL. We`ll adjust by taking my *other* large, adult son, Jiri Prochazka. Besides Pudzianowski-Hall (which Heck ruined!), I want to see no fight more than this in MMA. I don`t need a title; I just need these two large, violent oddballs to collide. And now I can.
Round 4, Pick 16: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Dustin Poirier.
Heck: There`s no way we`re letting Dustin Poirier have his final fight outside the UFC. There are about five exciting and emotional possibilities in the UFC for 2025, and Poirier`s “Last Dance” is one. Poirier vs. Holloway 3 would be a fitting end to one of the most entertaining careers in UFC history, happening in New Orleans.
Round 5, Pick 17: GFL (Damon Martin) selects Justin Gaethje.
Martin: Listen, we need some excitement, and honestly, our first four picks might not even compete for us—much like we might not ever put on a show. But all isn`t lost. With Gaethje, we get a guy who is still a top lightweight, never has boring fights, and is remarkably durable and dependable, which is something we desperately need.
Round 5, Pick 18: PFL (Alexander K. Lee) selects Khamzat Chimaev.
Lee: Khamzat Chimaev, I can`t quit you. For the second year, I`m taking a chance on a guy who might be the best fighter in the world? We may never know. But there`s no denying every time Chimaev walks to the cage, it`s essential viewing. And hey, our stars don`t fight more than once a year anyway, so our schedules match perfectly!
Round 5, Pick 19: BKFC (Jed Meshew) selects Mike Perry.
Meshew: Look, is it possible this is a wasted pick? Absolutely. But here at BKFC, we stand by our own. GFL already took our co-owner in the first round; we cannot afford to lose the face of our promotion. Mike Perry helped build us into what we are, and he remains the perfect representation of bare-knuckle fighting.
Round 5, Pick 20: UFC (Mike Heck) selects Cédric Doumbé.
Heck: You`re welcome. See pick No. 3, and that`s all. Doumbé-mania is coming to the UFC, and unlike PFL, we will matchmake for Doumbé correctly. No wrestlers, no grapplers (at least not soon), and nothing but highlight reels. This is why Doumbé entered the sport, PFL polished him nicely for us, and now we can make him the star he deserves to be.
Final Draft Rosters
Below are the final rosters drafted by each GM according to the source text:
GFL (Damon Martin):
- Conor McGregor
- Jon Jones
- Francis Ngannou
- Ronda Rousey
- Justin Gaethje
- Nate Diaz
- Gina Carano
- Hughes (as listed)
PFL (Alexander K. Lee):
- Tom Aspinall
- Islam Makhachev
- Paddy Pimblett
- Jean Silva
- Khamzat Chimaev
- Oumar Kane (“Reug Reug”)
- Themba Gorimbo
- Gadzhi Rabadanov
BKFC (Jed Meshew):
- Alex Pereira
- Dricus du Plessis
- Mike Perry
- Jiri Prochazka
- Jose Aldo
- Cédric Doumbé
- Nate Diaz
- Hughes (as listed)
UFC (Mike Heck):
- Ilia Topuria
- Dakota Ditcheva
- Mariusz Pudzianowski
- Dustin Poirier
Oliver Croft