As 2025 drew to a close, the combat sports world defied its usual holiday lull, delivering a flurry of pivotal fights that sent shockwaves through the rankings of both boxing and mixed martial arts. From a resurgent heavyweight to a dominant "Monster," and a flyweight contender making a statement, the year's final events have set the stage for an electrifying 2026.
Boxing: Joshua Returns, Inoue Dominates as 2025 Closes Strong
Boxing saw an unexpectedly busy end to 2025. Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua made a spectacular return to the ring on December 19th, securing a knockout victory over Jake Paul. This win, coming after a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024, propelled Joshua back into the rankings at No. 6. Excitement is building for a highly anticipated all-U.K. showdown with Tyson Fury, with "The Gypsy King" having announced his own return and a potential clash before the end of the new year.
Meanwhile, Naoya Inoue, often referred to as "The Monster," continued his reign of terror on December 27th. He delivered a wide unanimous decision win over David Picasso, successfully defending his undisputed junior featherweight crown and solidifying his No. 1 spot in the division. This marked Inoue's fourth victory of 2025, setting him up for a monumental collision course with Junto Nakatani in early 2026. Nakatani, however, had a less convincing junior featherweight debut on the same card, narrowly defeating Sebastian Hernandez in the co-main event. Despite the close call, which leaves questions about his move up in weight, Nakatani debuts at No. 4, ensuring one of the biggest matchups in Japanese boxing history is now secured.
MMA: Kape Blasts into Title Picture, Nemkov Claims PFL Gold
The UFC closed its year with a bang, as Manel Kape delivered a first-round knockout against former title challenger Brandon Royval in the final event of the year. This decisive victory significantly boosted Kape's standing in the flyweight rankings, launching him squarely into the championship picture.
In other significant action, Renan Ferreira suffered a first-round arm triangle submission loss to Vadim Nemkov in the PFL Lyon main event. This defeat cost Ferreira his PFL heavyweight championship opportunity and his spot in the rankings. These results, reflecting rankings as of December 16th, highlight the dynamic nature of combat sports where a single fight can drastically alter a fighter's trajectory. Eligibility for these rankings requires a fighter to have competed within the past 12 months or have an upcoming fight booked, ensuring active competitors are recognized.