The end of the year has come and gone, with RIZIN Decade closing out the year for MMA in a big way, and the UFC Tampa card just a few weeks ago wrapping things up for the UFC. MMA’s biggest promotion signed plenty of talent in 2024, much of it arriving via the Contender Series (though a few big names, including Michael “Venom” Page, Kayla Harrison, and Kai Asakura, arrived directly).
On the newcomer front, what names should the UFC be looking at in 2025? Let’s take a look!
Where possible, we’ve included insight from teammates/coaches, or statements from the fighters themselves.
Lightweight, Yuji Yannick Ephoeviga
Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
25-years-old
10-0
6 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents’ record: 92-77-6
Ephoeviga was rumored to fight on the Contender Series this last season but it didn’t happen due to visa issues, reportedly. It shows the UFC is interested, as they should be. Ephoeviga is a big athletic lightweight who’s looked solid so far. He’s a product out of Tribe Tokyo MMA, a prominent gym in Japan. With Japanese MMA it’s tough to gauge how good a fighter is. Ephoeviga though has beaten Emmanuel Sanchez who is a Bellator vet (and former title challenger). Ephoeviga became the first person to stop Sanchez by KO/TKO which is super impressive.
“Yuji is a very talented MMA fighter. He is skilled in all positions, but his striking is definitely what stands out. He has a great understanding for his distance and blends footwork and feints to always manipulate the range. He is very efficient with his shot selection, and when he has someone hurt he jumps on it. A hard worker with tons of confidence. He has faced high-level competition and is ready to be on the big stage!!” – Teammate, Austin Clayton
Welterweight, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani
Hermosa Beach, California, US
25-years-old
7-2
2 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions
Combined opponents’ record: 21-11
Lebosnoyani is now a welterweight that’s moved up from lightweight. Naturally, I like him better at 155 but he’s undefeated at welterweight. Lebosnoyani started as just a submission specialist but he’s grown into a quality striker. Still though, he comes from a grappling background and you see it in the cage. He’s a BJJ black belt who had over 500 grappling matches and was a world champ at the age of ten. His only losses are JaCobi Jones and Spike Carlyle but I believe Lebosnoyani is finally over that hurdle.
“Being a UFC champion has been my dream as long as I can remember. I have been patiently working hard to sharpen all of my skills so that when I sign to the UFC, I will be ready to make my run to the title.”
Welterweight, Isaac Moreno
Los Fresnos, Texas, US
27-years-old
6-0
3 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents’ record: 17-10
Moreno had a big 2023 but missed the entire 2024 year with an injury. I went from not even thinking Moreno was UFC-level to thinking he’s top-25 in the UFC’s welterweight division right now. He’s easily one of my favorite welterweight prospects around. Moreno has made a name for himself in Texas as his entire pro and amateur career has been for Fury FC. Moreno has a high ceiling and the UFC should lock him up after he knocks off this ring rust coming up. Moreno gets more credit for his striking where he’s been effective with various weapons. His grappling is underrated and the last thing he did was a grappling bout last July.
“God always provides and there’s gonna be some big news soon. Don’t blink!” – Moreno
Light heavyweight, Julius Walker
Springfield, Missouri, US
25-years-old
6-0
4 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions
Combined opponents’ record: 36-26
Walker is easily one of the better prospects at 205. In his last three fights, he beat good regional names in Nyle Bartling, Bevon Lewis, and Myron Dennis — with all being title fights. Walker will go far with his wrestling, athleticism, and jiu-jitsu especially. His last three fights have been title fights winning 205-pound gold for Peak Fighting and Synergy. Walker is a breath of fresh air at 205 we all need.
“I should be in the UFC because I am a young and exciting fighter with a high ceiling. The 205 division has been declining for years and needs new blood to spice it up and I’m that guy.” – Walker
Welterweight, Thomas Gantt
Raleigh, North Carolina, US
31-years-old
8-0, 1 NC
3 KO/TKOs
Combined opponents’ record: 51-95
Gantt may have fought some bad competition but in the year 2024 he fought twelve times. With an insane strength of schedule, there is no way the UFC doesn’t know who this guy is. Gantt was a Division 1 All-American wrestler at NC State. He was an ACC champion and won a few international tournaments on the Olympic wrestling scene. He ranked as high as fourth on the Team USA ladder. For a wrestler, it’s what you can do when you get the takedown. For Gantt, it’s been smashing who he’s fighting. The relentless pressure and damage he displays have been unstoppable.
“I’m relatively new to the sport, but I am more than ready to test myself against the best in the world. I have the physical and mental capabilities to be a problem for anyone in my division right away.”
