Fighters must have competed in the UFC in 2024 to be eligible. These rankings reflect 2024 performances, star power, past victories, championships, and overall potential. While subjective, they are based on a fighter's recent form, achievements, and future prospects. Rankings are dynamic and will change with future performances. This list provides a snapshot of the current state of Australian and New Zealand UFC talent as of 31 December 2024.
N/R. Kaan Ofli
An honourable mention goes to Ofli, who featured on UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho as part of The Ultimate Fighter 32 finale. Despite a second-round knockout loss to Brazilian Mairon Santos, Ofli impressed throughout the series, earning himself the chance to make his official UFC debut in Saudi Arabia this February.
N/R. Tyson Pedro (0-1 in 2024, 6-5 in UFC overall)
Retiring after his loss to Vitor Petrino in March, Pedro steps away from the sport as an Australian MMA icon. While he drops out of the required criteria for these rankings heading into 2025, his contributions to the sport and his legacy as a trailblazer for Australian fighters make him more than deserving of an honourable mention.
22. Stewart Nicoll (0-1 in 2024, debuted in 2024)
Nicoll had a rough start to his UFC career, losing in the opening round in Perth at UFC 305. He’ll need to regroup and adjust in Sydney at UFC 312 if he’s wanting to make a significant impact moving forward in the UFC, 0-2 will be difficult to bounce back from if things don't go his way in February.
21. Josh Culibao (0-2 in 2024, 3-4-1 in UFC overall)
Two split decision losses have been a tough blow for Culibao in 2024, with the most recent one against Ricardo Ramos particularly painful. That’s now three losses in a row, and if he’s to stay relevant in the division, Culibao will need to make some adjustments to his game and bounce back with a win when he next returns to the octagon.
20. Jamie Mullarkey (0-1 in 2024, 5-6 in UFC overall)
Mullarkey’s UFC career has been a rollercoaster, and 2024 continued that trend with a loss, making it three out of his last four. Despite the setbacks, he’s shown flashes of brilliance and remains a tough competitor in the lightweight division. A strong performance in his next fight could be just what he needs to get back on track and prove he still belongs among the top fighters.
19. Junior Tafa (1-2 in 2024, 2-3 in UFC overall)
While Junior Tafa showed resilience to end 2024 with a win, his showing against Valter Walker in Perth turned heads for the wrong reasons. Tafa still has plenty of time to grow, but he’ll need a string of solid victories to prove he’s a legitimate threat in the heavyweight division and silence any doubts about his potential.
18. Kevin Jousset (0-1 in 2024, 2-1 in UFC overall)
After a tough loss to Bryan Battle in September, Jousset will need to regain his momentum in 2025. He’s shown potential in the past, but consistency is key if he’s to make a deeper run in the UFC.
17. Justin Tafa (0-1 in 2024, 4-4 1 NC in UFC overall)
Tafa remains a dangerous heavyweight with knockout power, but 2024 wasn’t his year. With two cancelled bouts and a loss, Tafa will need a strong win over Tallison Teixeira in Sydney to get back on track and prove he still has the potential to make a run in the division.
16. Navajo Stirling (1-0 in 2024, debuted in 2024)
Stirling made a solid debut with a win just last week, and though it’s early days, the promising start has put him on the radar as someone to watch moving forward.
15. Jacob Malkoun (1-0 in 2024, 4-3 in UFC overall)
After a back-and-forth opening round, Malkoun secured his first UFC stoppage victory in March in unconventional fashion, rebounding from his controversial disqualification in 2023. With Malkoun, the unexpected has truly become the norm every time he steps into the cage.
14. Cody Haddon (1-0 in 2024, debuted in 2024)
Haddon earned his UFC spot through the Contender Series in August and wasted no time making an impact, securing a dominant decision win over Dan Argueta in October. His impressive debut has him ranked ahead of more seasoned fighters, and it’s clear he’s a rising prospect with serious potential.
13. Tom Nolan (2-1 in 2024, debuted in 2024)
After suffering his first career loss in his UFC debut, Nolan bounced back in style with two dominant victories to close out 2024. A standout performance against Viacheslav Borschev at UFC 312 could see him climb even higher in the rankings and establish himself as a genuine lightweight contender to watch.
12. Tai Tuivasa (0-2 in 2024, 8-8 in UFC overall)
"Bam Bam" is still one of the most entertaining heavyweights on the roster, but 2024 hasn’t been his year. By the time he steps back into the octagon, it’ll have been over two years since his last win. Despite the setbacks, his knockout power and undeniable star appeal keep him firmly in the mix as a dangerous threat in the division.
11. Jack Jenkins (1-0 in 2024, 3-1 in UFC overall)
After his first UFC loss at the end of 2023, Jenkins made a strong comeback at UFC 305. A victory over Gabriel Santos at UFC 312 in February would solidify his place among the division’s top contenders, pushing him closer to a significant step up in competition.
10. Casey O'Neill (1-0 in 2024, 5-2 in UFC overall)
After recovering from her first career loss in 2023, O'Neill reminded everyone why she’s one of the most promising flyweights with a composed decision win over Luana Santos in Perth. If she continues on this upward trajectory, O'Neill is poised to make a major leap up the rankings in 2025.
9. Jake Matthews (1-0 in 2024, 13-7 in UFC overall)
In between ripping packs of cards on Jake's Breakz and sharing some impressive Instagram content, the veteran reaffirmed why he’s a staple in the welterweight division with a dominant win this year. Matthews has quietly crafted one of the most impressive resumes in Australian MMA history, proving himself as a reliable gatekeeper while starting to make a case for a shot at higher-ranked opponents.
8. Carlos Ulberg (2-0 in 2024, 7-1 in UFC overall)
Ulberg’s star continues to rise in the light heavyweight division with two commanding wins this year. His blend of power, precision, and charisma makes him a standout, and another win in 2025 over Jan Blachowicz could put him on the doorstep of title contention.
7. Kai Kara-France (1-0 in 2024, 8-4 in UFC overall)
Returning to action with a statement knockout performance over title contender Steve Erceg, “Don’t Blink” solidified his status as a perennial contender of his own at flyweight. His resilience and ability to hang with the division’s elite rightfully have put him in the conversation for a title shot in 2025.
6. Steve Erceg (1-2 in 2024, 3-2 in UFC)
While his record might not jump off the page, let’s not forget that Erceg fought for the UFC flyweight title in May and pushed Alexandre Pantoja to the limit. An unsuccessful bounce-back against Kai Kara-France saw his stock take a hit, but as far as 2024 power rankings go, I’m more than comfortable with "Astroboy" sitting at #6.
5. Dan Hooker (1-0 in 2024, 14-8 in UFC overall)
"The Hangman" turned back the clock with a thrilling performance against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, reminding everyone why he’s such a fan favourite in the lightweight division. Known for his fearless approach and taking on all challengers, Hooker’s willingness to step into the fire keeps his name in the mix, with big names like McGregor, Gaethje, and Oliveira being floated as potential next opponents.
4. Jack Della Maddalena (1-0 in 2024, 7-0 in UFC)
With a perfect UFC record and continuous improvements in his game, Della Maddalena is quickly becoming one of the most promising fighters Australia has ever seen. His potential "comeback of the year" victory over Gilbert Burns was a standout, though an unfortunate injury kept him out of UFC 305 in Perth. It’s only a matter of time before he’s headlining a major event in 2025, with his rumoured bout against Kamaru Usman surely not far off now.
3. Robert Whittaker (2-1 in 2024, 17-6 in UFC)
The former middleweight kingpin continues to prove why he’s one of the greatest fighters in both Australian MMA history and UFC middleweight history. With dominant wins over Paulo Costa and last-minute replacement Ikram Aliskerov this year, “The Reaper” remains a fixture in the division’s top five, despite his most recent loss to Khamzat Chimaev.
2. Israel Adesanya (0-1 in 2024, 13-4 in UFC overall)
Although 2024 hasn’t been his year, Adesanya’s legacy as one of the most dominant middleweights in UFC history keeps him firmly near the top. His name alone continues to turn heads, and if he gets back on track in February against Nassourdine Imavov, he’ll be right back in the title mix.
1. Alexander Volkanovski (0-1 in 2024, 13-3 in UFC overall)
Despite losing his title, Volk remains one of the most respected and skilled fighters in UFC history. His legacy and unwavering determination to bounce back in 2025 keep him firmly at the top of these rankings. With his ability to adapt and thrive against the best, it’s only a matter of time before he’s back in the title hunt.
