Mixed Martial Arts

Five of the best MMA moments of 2024

Amy Kaplan

PFL

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MMA had a big year in 2025. PFL and Bellator officially merged and held their first fight, the UFC crowned several new champions and Francis Ngannou finally returned to MMA. In a year full of big moments, we've picked five our favorite moments of the year, in no particular order.

Francis Ngannou is back

The prodigal son returned. Francis Ngannou returned to MMA after a nearly three year hiatus. He wasn't exactly inactive, he competed in two massive boxing fights, but it was the first time the former UFC champion entered a cage since his dramatic UFC departure. The highly anticipated moment lived up to the hype and he finished the 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in just over three minutes winning the PFL Heavyweight Superfight title. Let's hope this isn't just a one-off moment and we see Ngannou dominating in the PFL Smart Cage in 2025 too.

Max Hollway's finger

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Probably one of the most visually epic moments of 2024 came during UFC 300 when in the final seconds of their absolute barnburner fight, Max Hollway pointed to the enter fo the cage to make Justin Gaethje engage in a rock-em-sock-em robots end. With just one second remaining in their five round war, Holloway knocked out Gaethje to win the BMF title and the hearts of everyone watching. There could have been no better fight to signify what a BMF really is.

Alex Pereira does it again and again and again

The UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has proved the phrase "any time, any place" to be tattooed on his heart. Pereira competed in (and won) three big title fights in just six months. He defeated Jamahall Hill in one of the most bada** cold moments by knocking him out just seconds after a low blow. Then he bounced back just two months later to save yet another fight card at UFC 303 when he defeated Jiří Procházka via a second-round head kick KO. And if that wasn't enough, he fought a third time in October. That time he defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. via a fourth-round TKO. We've all come to know and love Pereira as the man who will save the day.

PFL vs Bellator

One big moment of the year was the first PFL vs. Bellator card which took place February. The card pit several champions of each promotion together to vie for the title of the best of the best. It was an overwhelming success for Bellator fighters and proved that MMA talent can be everywhere if you just look. Plus, it gave more hope of superfights to come.

Dana White's undying love for Jon Jones

No one loves Jon Jones more than UFC president Dana White, who went on several rants about the legitimacy of his UFC heavyweight champion. White declared Jones the GOAT every chance he got and it turned into a year-long source for some of the best memes in MMA. We think this running joke will last even into 2025.

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