2025 Australian MMA Male Fighter of the Year - Marwan Rahiki

Runner up: Cam Rowston

Honourable mentions: Darcy Vendy, David Martinez, Kasib Murdoch, John Martin Fraser

This is the highest prize in the men’s division. The “Next Level” award is for UFC and PFL greatness, but this one is about the engine room of Australian MMA, the stars being built right here, right now.

Winner: Marwan “Freaky” Rahiki

No one owned 2025 like Marwan Rahiki.

If striking was a video game rating, his stand up is a 99 overall. He’s the most visually appealing striker I’ve ever seen in this country, and this year he proved he’s not just a highlight guy, he’s a complete fighter.

He didn’t just run through opponents, he answered questions. Submitting Sem Kakembo for the HEX title showed he can mix it with the grapplers. Then backing it up by outgrappling and dominating Gabriel Schlupp for the inaugural Beatdown featherweight crown proved it wasn’t a one off. That’s the scary part. When you can’t take away a guy’s A game, you’re in trouble.

For a while it felt like he sat a notch behind his teammate George Mangos, the Robin to Batman. Across 2024 and especially 2025, it genuinely feels like he’s surpassed the whole pack in momentum and in “can’t miss” potential.

Then came the final stamp, an incredible Contender Series comeback to secure the contract. The regional dominance was already special. That moment turned it into a year people will reference for a long time.

If 2025 is anything to go by, buy Rahiki stock. It’s going to the moon.

Runner up: Cam Rowston

Cam Rowston could have won this in most other years.

He got held back on the Contender Series path more than once, and instead of fading, he levelled up. Moving to New Zealand and committing to City Kickboxing sharpened everything. Then he did what the best prospects do. He bounced back from a DWCS loss to earn his contract with a knockout, and followed it by knocking out a highly experienced opponent in his UFC debut shortly after.

That’s a massive year. The only reason he’s second is because Rahiki speed ran a career-defining 2025.

Honourable mentions

Darcy Vendy: The best unsigned talent in the country in my eyes. Vicious, consistent, and always one finish away from forcing the big leagues to call.

David Martinez: Became a two-division champion and signed with the PFL. That’s legacy-building stuff.

Kasib Murdoch: Still the most “ready to pop” bantamweight on the regional scene. One Matty Iann win away from everyone being forced to agree.

John Martin Fraser: Bounced back and started putting real work in overseas, stacking wins and building international credibility.

But the top two are clear.

2025 belonged to Marwan Rahiki, with Cam Rowston right behind him.

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