To be eligible, fighters must have competed in the UFC in 2024 or 2025. These rankings consider recent performances, star power, past victories, championships, and overall potential. While subjective, they are based on each fighter's current form, achievements, and prospects. Rankings are dynamic and will evolve with future performances, offering a snapshot of Australian and New Zealand UFC talent as of February 10, 2025.
This rankings update features four new debutants, the rise of fresh young talent, some familiar faces stalling, and a legend taking a tumble. Have an opinion on the next edition? Share your thoughts at tatkinson@australianmma.com.au!
26. Colby Thicknesse (0-1 in 2025, debuted in 2025) - Previous Ranking: N/R
A late replacement for Cody Haddon in Sydney, Thicknesse was handed the opportunity of a lifetime, stepping in to face Aleksandre Topuria, the brother of Ilia Topuria. He quickly became a cult figure in the lead-up to the bout, with his connection to Alexander Volkanovski adding to the hype. Thicknesse held his own in the fight, but whether he’ll get another shot in the UFC remains to be seen.
25. Stewart Nicoll (0-1 in 2024, debuted in 2024) - Previous Ranking: 22
Nicoll faced a tough start to his UFC career, falling in the opening round at UFC 305 in Perth. With a cancelled bout in Sydney adding to the frustration, he'll need to regroup and adjust when his next opportunity comes.
24. Kaan Ofli (0-1 in 2025, debuted in 2025) - Previous Ranking: N/R
Presented with a tough challenge in his UFC debut in Saudi Arabia last week, Ofli held his own and will be eager to apply the lessons learned from the experience.
23. Josh Culibao (0-2 in 2024, 3-4-1 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 21
Two split decision losses were a tough blow for Culibao in 2024, with the most recent one against Ricardo Ramos being particularly painful. That made it three losses in a row, and if he wants to stay relevant in the division in 2025, Culibao will need to make key adjustments and bounce back with a win in his next appearance.
22. Jamie Mullarkey (0-1 in 2024, 5-6 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 20
Mullarkey’s UFC career has been a rollercoaster, and 2024 continued that trend with a loss, making it three defeats in his last four fights. Despite the setbacks, he’s shown flashes of brilliance and remains a tough competitor. Disappointingly absent from the Sydney card, a strong performance in 2025 could be exactly what he needs to get back on track and prove he still belongs among the top fighters.
21. Junior Tafa (1-2 in 2024, 2-3 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 19
Junior Tafa showed resilience to end 2024 with a win, but his performance against Valter Walker in Perth raised some concerns. Heading into 2025, 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.
20. Kevin Jousset (0-1 in 2025, 2-2 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 18
Jousset has shown potential, but consistency is key if he hopes to make a deeper run in the UFC. Unfortunately, back-to-back losses have slowed his momentum. The convincing nature of his recent defeat to Jonathan Micallef doesn’t help his cause. He’ll be eager to bounce back before the year ends and get his career back on track.
19. Justin Tafa (0-1 in 2025, 4-5 1 NC in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 17
Tafa’s brief contest against Brazil’s Tallison Teixeira adds to his recent struggles, with wins becoming increasingly hard to come by. Still, it’s not all doom and gloom for the big man, he seemed to enjoy sharing the experience with his family, reminding us there’s more to life than the octagon.
18. Jonathan Micallef (1-0 in 2025, debuted in 2025) Previous Ranking: N/A
Micallef executed his game plan to perfection, shining in his debut victory over Kevin Jousset. With each fight, he continues to evolve before our eyes. A relentless barrage of brutal body kicks set the tone, helping him launch his UFC career in dominant fashion.
17. Navajo Stirling (1-0 in 2024, debuted in 2024) - Previous Ranking: 16
Stirling made a solid debut with a win late in 2024, and though it’s early days, the promising start has put him on the radar as someone to watch moving forward.
16. Jacob Malkoun (1-0 in 2024, 4-3 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 15
After a back-and-forth opening round, Malkoun secured his first UFC stoppage victory early last year in unconventional fashion, rebounding from his controversial disqualification in 2023. As 2025 unfolds, the unexpected continues to be the norm every time Malkoun steps into the cage.
15. Tai Tuivasa (0-2 in 2024, 8-8 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 12
Bam Bam remains one of the most entertaining heavyweights on the roster, though the past two years have been rough. Despite the setbacks, his knockout power and undeniable star appeal keep him a dangerous threat in the division.
14. Cody Haddon (1-0 in 2024, debuted in 2024) - Previous Ranking: 14
Haddon earned his UFC spot through the Contender Series in August 2024 and wasted no time making an impact, securing a dominant decision win over Dan Argueta in October. Although an injury forced him to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Aleksandre Topuria in Sydney, it’s clear he remains a rising prospect with serious potential.
13. Quillan Salkilld (1-0 in 2025, debuted in 2025) - Previous Ranking: N/A
Salkilld burst onto the scene in a big way this week, delivering one of the most memorable debuts in recent memory. His stunning Performance of the Night knockout in Sydney left no doubt about his potential. Showcasing power, precision, and composure well beyond his experience, Salkilld sent a clear message that he’s a dangerous new contender to watch in the division.
12. Casey O'Neill (1-0 in 2024, 5-2 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 10
After bouncing back from her first career loss in 2023, O'Neill reminded everyone why she’s one of the flyweight division’s most promising prospects with a composed decision win over Luana Santos in Perth. Recently opening up about her injury struggles, all eyes will be on King Casey’s return in 2025.
11. Jack Jenkins (0-1 in 2025, 3-2 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 11
An unfolding story, Jenkins suffered a frightening, potentially career-threatening injury early in his UFC 312 bout with Gabriel Santos. Despite the loss, he’ll need to dig deep in the coming months, a challenge he’s no stranger to facing.
10. Tom Nolan (1-0 in 2025, 3-1 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 13
After suffering his first career loss in his UFC debut, Nolan rebounded in style with two dominant victories to close out 2024. He kept that momentum rolling at UFC 312, decisively defeating a tough opponent in Viacheslav Borschev. Now poised for a rankings climb, Nolan is firmly establishing himself as a contender to watch in 2025.
9. Jake Matthews (1-0 in 2025, 14-7 in UFC overall) Previous Ranking: 9
Matthews reminded everyone why he’s a staple of the welterweight division with a dominant victory over Francisco Prado at UFC 312. Following the win, Matthews called out Neil Magny, signalling his intent to face higher-ranked competition. With one of the most impressive resumes in Australian MMA history, the veteran is steadily building his case to move beyond the role of gatekeeper and challenge the division’s top contenders.
8. Carlos Ulberg (2-0 in 2024, 7-1 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 8
Ulberg’s star continues to rise in the light heavyweight division after two dominant wins in 2024. With his blend of power, precision, and charisma, he’s quickly becoming a standout. A victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC London in March could place him on the doorstep of title contention.
7. Steve Erceg (1-2 in 2024, 3-2 in UFC) - Previous Ranking: 6
While his record might not stand out, it’s important to remember that Erceg fought for the UFC flyweight title in 2024, coming within a round of becoming champion. His unsuccessful bounce-back hurt his momentum, but he’ll have a chance to turn things around next month at UFC Mexico when he faces #2 contender Brandon Moreno.
6. Kai Kara-France (1-0 in 2024, 8-4 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 7
Returning to action in 2024 with a statement knockout over former title contender Steve Erceg, Don’t Blink reaffirmed his status as a perennial flyweight contender. His resilience and ability to compete with the division’s elite have rightfully placed him in the title conversation. A potential shot at UFC 314 in Miami is looking more likely by the day.
5. Dan Hooker (1-0 in 2024, 14-8 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 5
The Hangman turned back the clock with a thrilling performance against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, reminding everyone why he’s a fan favorite in the lightweight division. Hooker’s fearless style and willingness to step into the fire keep him firmly in the mix. Now, his highly anticipated showdown with Justin Gaethje promises to capture the attention of fight fans around the world.
4. Israel Adesanya (0-1 in 2025, 13-5 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 2
Although the fight with Imavov didn’t go his way, Adesanya’s legacy as one of the most dominant middleweights in UFC history keeps him near the top of the rankings. His name alone commands attention, and fans would love to see The Last Stylebender return to the win column later in 2025.
3. Robert Whittaker (2-1 in 2024, 17-6 in UFC) - Previous Ranking: 4
With The Reaper arguably closer to a title shot than Adesanya, he leapfrogs his longtime rival in these rankings. Dominant wins over Paulo Costa and last-minute replacement Ikram Aliskerov in 2024 solidified Whittaker’s spot in the division’s top five, despite his recent loss to Khamzat Chimaev.
2. Jack Della Maddalena (1-0 in 2024, 7-0 in UFC) - Previous Ranking: 4
With a perfect UFC record and continuous improvements, Della Maddalena is already cementing his place as one of the greatest fighters Australia has ever produced. An injury kept him out of UFC 305 in Perth, and plans fell through for UFC 312 in Sydney, but he’s now headlining UFC London in late March against Leon Edwards. A win over Rocky would almost certainly secure him a shot at the welterweight title.
Volkanovski and Topuria went head-to-head in Sydney, this time in opposing corners (Source: Yahoo News)
1. Alexander Volkanovski (0-1 in 2024, 13-3 in UFC overall) - Previous Ranking: 1
Despite losing his title, Volk remains one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history. His legacy and unwavering determination to bounce back in 2025 keep him firmly at the top of these rankings. Strong rumours of a rematch with Ilia Topuria or a showdown with rising star Diego Lopes add to the intrigue surrounding what’s next for him. With Volk’s ability to adapt and thrive against the best, it feels like only a matter of time before the belt is wrapped around his waist once again.
