Merab Dvalishvili Leads Fighter of the Year Race—But
August 6, 2025
The UFC’s Fighter of the Year race is heating up, and Merab Dvalishvili is currently in pole position. With three title fight victories in under 12 months—including a brutal finish of Sean O’Malley at UFC 316—the bantamweight champion has built a resume that screams dominance. But with Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev surging, the crown is far from secured.
Merab Dvalishvili: Relentless and Respected
Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) has been the most active UFC champion in 2025. He kicked off the year by outlasting Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, then submitted O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316. He’s now set to defend his title against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 in October, with plans for a fourth defense before year’s end.
His ESPY win for “Best UFC Fighter” last month solidified his mainstream appeal, and UFC analyst Chael Sonnen believes Dvalishvili’s popularity is skyrocketing:
“That dude is a star… The mobs and the crowd, they mobbed everyone through there. Dana [White] himself got more, but for active fighters, Merab could not move around”.
Still, Sonnen cautions that activity alone won’t clinch Fighter of the Year:
“To get in front of Ilia [Topuria]? There’s a buzz around Ilia that’s almost unlike anything I ever felt. [Khamzat] Chimaev is going to be of interest”.
Ilia Topuria: The Knockout King
Topuria (17-0 MMA) has delivered two of the most iconic finishes in recent UFC history. He claimed the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, then stunned Max Holloway with a third-round KO at UFC 308. Both opponents are future Hall of Famers, and Topuria’s pound-for-pound ranking has soared as a result.
His star power is undeniable. From performing his walkout song in front of 80,000 fans in Spain to headlining pay-per-views across continents, Topuria has become a global sensation. UFC insiders now expect him to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan later this year.
Khamzat Chimaev: The Wild Card
Chimaev (14-0 MMA) is preparing for his first title shot against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319. With wins over Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman, Chimaev has proven he can dismantle elite competition. His camp has focused heavily on cardio, working with TJ Dillashaw’s conditioning coach to silence critics who question his endurance.
Chael Sonnen believes Chimaev’s conditioning concerns are overblown:
“Fedor used to get exhausted and never stopped. It’s the same thing with Chimaev… He’s got a bunch of energy and he uses it all”.
If Chimaev dethrones Du Plessis and adds another win before year’s end, he’ll be a serious contender for Fighter of the Year.
The Verdict: A Three-Way War for Greatness
Merab Dvalishvili’s consistency and volume of wins make him the statistical favorite. But Topuria’s highlight-reel knockouts and Chimaev’s potential title run inject volatility into the race. With UFC 319 and UFC 320 looming, the final stretch of 2025 could redefine the narrative.
Whether it’s the machine-like grind of Dvalishvili, the explosive artistry of Topuria, or the raw chaos of Chimaev, fans are witnessing a golden era of elite competition.
Sources: MMA Junkie, Sportskeeda, Bloody Elbow, MMA News, CBS Sports, MSN Sports, Wikipedia
