James Llontop

James 'Goku' Llontop is a 25-year-old Peruvian lightweight who earned his shot in the UFC off Dana White's Contender Series in 2023, but his octagon run proved bumpy. After debuts in April 2024, Llontop posted an 0-3 record in the promotion, including a first-round submission loss to Chris Padilla, a split-decision setback to Viacheslav Borshchev, and a unanimous decision loss to rising prospect Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 309 in November 2024. That final bout was marred by a weight miss (1.2 lbs over the 165-pound catchweight limit), which cost him 20% of his purse and raised questions about his professionalism. The UFC released him shortly after.

Since his release, Llontop has rebounded with striking results. He is now 14-0 and undefeated in Peru's FFC promotion, where he holds the lightweight championship and has notched multiple title defenses. Most recently, he scored a spectacular first-round headkick knockout against 22-fight veteran Jose Barrios Vargas at FFC 98, extending a run of four wins in his last five fights. His striking is his calling card: seven of his 14 career wins come by knockout, with the bulk of his damage dealt from distance via crisp, powerful combinations.

The appeal is straightforward: Llontop is an explosive knockout artist with a legitimate redemption arc. He struggled against elite UFC competition and missed weight, but he has since rebuilt himself at home in Peru, where he looks dominant. If he can sustain this run and avoid future weight issues, another UFC opportunity looms. Fans of high-paced strikers and underdog comebacks will want to track his trajectory, especially given his youth (25) and proven finishing power.