ESPN’s list of the top 25 MMA fighters under 25 years old has been headlined by four different fighters the past four years: Song Yadong in 2021, Usman Nurmagomedov in 2022, Erin Blanchfield in 2023 and, most recently, Tatsuro Taira. Each of those fighters has seen success in their respective promotion, competing among the best fighters their division has to offer. But one has reached the pinnacle in this sport.
Only PFL lightweight Nurmagomedov has been a champion in a major MMA promotion. He held the Bellator lightweight title from November 2022 until September 2024.
While none of the other fighters have challenged for a title so far in their UFC careers, all three recently dropped fights that would have boosted them into the championship picture. Even with the losses, each appears positioned to make another run at the top of their respective divisions at some point, so we’re outlining their paths from closest to furthest away from a title challenge.
Erin Blanchfield (13-2), women’s flyweight
Wins away from a title: Two or fewer
Next fight: May 31 vs. Maycee Barber
The current landscape: After losing to Manon Fiorot in a No. 1 contender fight last March, Blanchfield bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over former strawweight champion Rose…
