The Most Active UFC Fighters in 2024

Should the UFC have an award recognizing the most active fighter of the year? Five fighters have competed in four fights this year: Joaquin Buckley, Carlos Prates, Charles Johnson, Joshua Van, and Themba Gorimbo.

Johnson and Prates are undefeated at 4-0. Buckley looks to join the club when he takes on Colby Covington on the final UFC card of 2024. On the other hand, Van and Gorimbo are at a still impressive 3-1 this year. Activity means following the quote, “You don’t have to get ready, but you stay ready.” These four fighters have successfully made weight four times, with many of them being on short notice. Everyone on this list has edged into their division’s rankings this year too, besides Gorimbo.

Most fighters wait until they are healthy and have a gradual weight cut to fight, and it is completely justified. At the end of the day, they’re risking their lives by stepping into the octagon. Unlike most fighters, these five have cut vacations short, stayed disciplined to make weight, and have trusted their instincts to win fights without official training camps. Read about three of the most active fighters of 2024:

Joaquin Buckley

Buckley started off the year by stealing Vicente Luque’s ranking with a TKO victory in Atlantic City. Instead of resting, he then interrupted the UFC 300 press conference to call for a spot on the fight card in his home city of St. Louis. On three weeks notice against a guy seven inches taller, Buckley dominated Nursulton Ruziboev and defended his ranking. Following that, he scored another viral knockout at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. After some back and forth in the first two rounds, Buckley lunged into throwing a thunderous right hand to put Stephen Thompson’s lights out. If he can win another short notice fight against Colby Covington, he’ll end the year in the top five.

Charles Johnson

“Inner G” might have defied the most odds on this list. In February, he was dropped in the first round against the undefeated 17-0, Azat Maksum. Coming into the fight on a three-fight losing streak, Charles Johnson was a few ground strikes away from being cut by the UFC. Instead, he chose to make it into a dog fight, winning by inspirational comeback and resigning with the UFC. Following that, he drew a bout on home turf in St. Louis, where he dropped and dominated Jake Hadley. In typical Charles Johnson fashion, he celebrated by taking a short notice fight against the rising prospect, Joshua Van, on 11 days notice. After a slugfest in their first two rounds at UFC Denver, Johnson delivered a devastating knockout. The world finally learned who he was, as his first three victories of 2024 came as the betting underdog. Finally, he took on a Su Mudaerji as a favorite and nearly finished him. Following the victory, he earned the 13th spot in the flyweight rankings.

Carlos Prates

“The Nightmare” is not the future of the welterweight division. He is the present, and a gift that keeps on giving. Carlos Prates smokes cigarettes daily, but it helps keep him light when he steps on the scales. He’s responsible for four devastating knockouts this year: Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang, and Neil Magny.

Do you think the UFC should award the most active fighters with something? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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About Post Author

Anik Subramanian

Anik Subramanian is Content Creator at The Scrap. His passion for MMA ignited when it became the first sport to return during the pandemic. As the owner of Pandemic MMA, Anik highlights the badass athletes of BKFC and the stories of those in the fight game. He conducts interviews and produces creative video content for The Scrap’s YouTube channel, bringing fans closer to the action.

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