AI Predicts Shocking UFC P4P Rankings at End of 2025

“We are not far away from AI actually doing these rankings.” That’s what Dana White had to say about the use of artificial intelligence in the pound-for-pound rankings before 2024 came to an end. Now, guess what? We have our own P4P rankings list, as AI has given us their verdict on what the end of 2025 would look like. While some entries might be obvious, others may not be so much.

It is safe to say that the head honcho doesn’t like the way the rankings work, and he’s been pretty vocal about that issue during various press conferences. But what does the AI think about the current scenario in the UFC? Well, here’s the highly anticipated rankings list as AI has, showcasing the fighters ranked from the bottom to the top of the P4P rankings. Here we go!

15. Leon Edwards

Leon Edwards’ 2024 was a disappointing one, to be honest. Not only did he lose his welterweight title in a one-sided affair against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, but ‘Rocky’ fought just once during the entire 12-month calendar year. Also, there’s been no word on if Edwards would get an immediate rematch for the title. However, he still holds the number no.1 contender’s position in the welterweight rankings.

Meanwhile, when we take a look at the current UFC pound-for-pound rankings, he’s been placed ninth in that list, but according to AI, Leon Edwards could drop down to the 15th spot in 2025. Well, he can always bounce back from his predicament, given that he was on an incredible unbeaten run before his title defeat. Now, let’s look at our next entry on the list.

14. Max Holloway

The former 2-time featherweight champion and the current BMF champion Max Holloway‘s 2024 was a mixed bag, especially because he claimed a novelty title but failed to claim the one that really mattered. Yes, ‘Blessed’ recorded one of the most dramatic knockout wins that we’ve ever witnessed in history. Just one second to go before the fifth round ended, and his opponent, Justin Gaethje, hit the mat hard on his face in their iconic UFC 300 matchup.

On the other hand, Holloway succumbed to his first knockout defeat at UFC 308, which is 14 years after he made his professional debut. With a 1-1 record in 2024, the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ has been predicted to land in the 14th spot at the end of this year. Also, the next entry on our list had a similar year, and it may not come as a surprise for too many fans.

13. Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland had all the momentum heading into his first fight in the first PPV of 2024 at UFC 297 when he took on Dricus du Plessis. On the back of an upset win over Israel Adesanya, ‘Tarzan’ delivered one of the most impressive performances of the year, but failed to keep the title as ‘Stillknocks’ edged past the ever-vocal Strickland to become the first South African UFC champion.

However, Strickland won’t be down for too long as he’d make his return to the winning column in a not-so-impressive outing against Paulo Costa. Moreover, ‘Tarzan’ is slated to take on ‘DDP’ at UFC 312 in a rematch for the 185lbs gold. The 1-1 record for 2024 may not be that impressive of a record as AI predicts the former champion will end the year on the 13th spot by artificial intelligence.

12. Belal Muhammad

He may not be a fan-favorite for most, but it’s undeniable how good Belal Muhammad has proven himself to be. After a long and arduous unbeaten run, that started in 2019, ‘Remember the Name’ finally captured UFC gold at UFC 304. However, his activity in the past two years has been pretty minimal.

Since his knockout win over Sean Brady in 2022, Muhammad has only competed in two fights, with one being a title eliminator fight and the other being a title bout. While he’s remained undefeated, AI believes that 12th is the right position for the reigning and undisputed UFC welterweight champion.

11. Charles Oliveira

One of the most prolific fighters on the entire UFC roster, Charles Oliveira will end up being placed 11th in the P4P rankings, according to AI, in 2025. He started his year with a loss to Arman Tsarukyan, which propelled the Armenian star to a championship fight at UFC 311. But just like Sean Strickland, ‘Do Bronx’ rose back from the defeat to a fantastic win against Michael Chandler for a second time at UFC 309.

The Brazilian juggernaut is eyeing another shot at the title but he’ll have to wait and see who comes out on top on January 18. Currently ranked 2nd in the lightweight rankings, it’ll be interesting to see how Oliveira’s 2025 turns out.

10. Dricus Du Plessis

We are in the top 10 now, and the 10th spot belongs to middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in 2025, according to artificial intelligence. After winning the title in a close fight at UFC 297, ‘Stillknocks’ shut his critics up after handing Israel Adesanya his second UFC defeat on the trot with a submission win at UFC 305. While ‘Izzy’ is out of the title picture for now, the South African has some new and emerging contenders on the prowl.

But before talking about the new contenders on the rise, Du Plessis will re-ignite his rivalry with Sean Strickland in his second title defense at UFC 312. It remains to be seen if this fight turns out to be a close encounter, just like the first one, or if it will be a fight where ‘Stillknocks’ finally settles the debate and registers an impressive win.

9. Sean O’Malley

‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley failed to prove to Dana White that he is the next big thing after Conor McGregor, following his lackluster outing against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. While the PPV made huge numbers, recording the highest gate for a UFC PPV ever, O’Malley saw himself on the wrong side of the story as he lost his title in his second title defense.

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old is still one of the top 5 bantamweight fighters at the moment, and even put on an impressive performance in his first title defense against Marlon Vera, while also getting revenge for his previous loss to the Ecuadorian star. As of now, AI has predicted ‘Suga’ to be in the 9th spot on the P4P rankings when this year comes to an end.

8. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Well, from here onwards, we don’t just have AI’s P4P rankings, but we also have some predictions about who will become a champion in 2025. Artificial intelligence may have made a somewhat unsurprising prediction as they believe Shavkat Rakhmonov will end up in the 8th spot in the P4P rankings when the 2025’s done and dusted, and guess what? He’ll also end the year as the champion.

Well, Rakhmonov is currently in the running to fight Belal Muhammad for the welterweight strap in 2025, but we don’t have any official word on it as of now. Now, let’s look at the next entry on this list who’ll also become champion in 2025.

7. Alexandre Pantoja

Alexandre Pantoja silenced the crowd when he decimated debutant Kai Asakura at UFC 310. While he’s joint 9th on the current UFC P4P list, AI sees him ending the year two sports above in the 7th place. Also, it has been predicted that Pantoja will remain the champion in 2025.

The Brazilian has almost cleared out his division, leading him to call out Demetrious Johnson. However, the former champion isn’t too keen on coming back to compete again and has declined the offer. So what lies next for ‘The Cannibal’? We’ll have to wait for that one.

6. Umar Nurmagomedov

While one Nurmagomedov has retired, another has emerged at the top of the food chain in the UFC. Khabib’s cousin, Umar, is well on his well to fight for the bantamweight gold on January 18, on the same night where his fellow teammate Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title, at UFC 311.

Just like his cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov is also undefeated as we speak, and artificial intelligence not only sees him bag the 6th spot on the P4P rankings but also sees him ending 2025 with the belt on his shoulder. This makes it even more exciting for fans to see how his fight against Merab Dvalishvili pans out.

5. Khamzat Chimaev

One of the most highly touted fighters on the current UFC roster, Khamzat Chimaev, might have a wonderful end to 2025. According to artificial intelligence, ‘Borz’ will end this year as the middleweight champion and earn his way into the top 5 of the pound-for-pound rankings.

‘Borz’ may have fought just once in 2023 and 2024, but he’s well on his way to earning that title shot. For many, he is next in line after Sean Strickland to fight Dricus Du Plessis, but we are yet to see how UFC 312 pans out because Chimaev might be facing ‘Tarzan’ for the title. Let us know your thoughts on that scenario, but before that, here’s our next entry.

4. Tom Aspinall

The interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has made a pretty huge impact in the UFC, becoming one of the most exciting fighters in the promotion hailing from the UK. Now, he’s also Dana White’s favorite to be the next opponent of the undisputed champion, Jon Jones, even though ‘Bones’ doesn’t feel the need to fight Aspinall.

Well, AI believes that whether Jon Jones likes it or not, Tom Aspinall is hoping to end this year in the 4th spot of the P4P rankings, and also unify the heavyweight titles to become the undisputed champion.

3. Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira has now become one of the biggest attractions in the UFC, especially due to his knack for putting fighters to sleep. The Brazilian star also made some records, like becoming the fastest fighter to win two divisional titles, and had three title defenses in a span of 175 days.

Artificial intelligence believes ‘Poatan’ is going to end 2025 the same way he did in 2024, as the light heavyweight champion and third on the pound-for-pound list. However, AI didn’t tell us if he’ll be making that heavyweight move that he’s insinuated in the recent past.

2. Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev is preparing to surpass his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 by registering a fourth title defense win. However, he’s taking on Arman Tsarukyan, who, many fans believe, will give the champion a run for his money, but guess what? AI does not think that will be the case.

According to artificial intelligence, Islam Makhachev will slide down to the second spot on the P4P rankings, but he will retain his title and end 2025, still the lightweight champion. Now, for our no.1 P4P fighter, it’s not someone that most fans would hope to be at the top.

1. Ilia Topuria

Yes, the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings will not belong to Jon Jones in 2025. In fact, AI predicts Ilia Topuria to take that spot. The featherweight champion has been on a roll ever since he made his professional MMA debut, as he became champion by becoming the first fighter to finish Max Holloway in the UFC.

Meanwhile, Topuria has mentioned wanting to jump up the division and compete at lightweight due to certain weight-cut issues. However, AI has him ending the year still as the featherweight champion. It will be interesting to see how accurate these predictions appear to be when we hit the 31st of December down the line.

Do you agree with these rankings predictions? Let us know in the comments down below.