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Five Fights To Make In 2025

Heading into 2025, there are tons of questions regarding the UFC. Dana White and Hunter Campbell, along with matchmakers Sean Shelby and Nick Maynard, have given fans a treat for 2024, with countless matchups drawing record-selling paper views and gates. If the company will look to top its 2024 accomplishments, these matchups for 2025 must be on the docket.


Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

Images from bvmsports.com & mmajunkie.com 


For the UFC, Jon Jones versus Tom Aspinall is the premiere fight to make, and it must happen. Not only could this be the biggest fight of 2025, but it could also be the biggest fight in UFC heavyweight history. On one side, you have the greatest fighter the sport’s ever seen, with countless records to his name, an unmatched resume, and a will to become even greater. On the flip side of the coin, you have a young, dangerous challenger with an entire nation behind him. Ignoring the basic principle of “the champion must fight the interim champion,” these two athletes are the best fighters on the roster. There is no one else for them to fight. Jones’ reluctance to take the fight has caused the majority of the UFC fan base to turn against him, and it’s up to the GOAT to step up and take the challenge. In all likelihood, if this fight occurs, it will be Jones’ final fight. If he emerges victorious, his greatness will be undeniable and undebatable. For Aspinall, if he claims the victory, MMA’s popularity in England and all of Europe will skyrocket. The fans want it. The fighters want it. The UFC wants it. Jon Jones versus Tom Aspinall must happen in 2025.  



Islam Makhachev vs. Belal Muhammad

Islam Makhachev versus Belal Muhammad should happen in 2025. This fight is mainly conditional on both fighters defending their belts in their upcoming bouts. However, if Muhammed secures a victory over Shavkat Rakhmonov and Islam defeats Arman Tsarukyan, this is the fight to make. With a win at UFC 311, Makhachev will have four title defenses of his lightweight belt, defeating Alexander Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier, and Tsarukyan. This fight mainly revolves around Islam’s pursuit of a second belt, and regardless of whether his opponent is Muhammad or Rakhmonov, it is a long-deserved opportunity. Makhachev defended his belt twice against Volkanovski, the featherweight champion at the time, and he deserves a chance to secure “double champ” status. Stylistically, this bout is fascinating. Both fighters possess elite wrestling and grappling skills, their pressure-oriented styles being their best weapons. However, with Makhachev and Muhammed being former training partners and close friends, there is significant uncertainty about whether this fight will ever be booked. Nonetheless, if these two fighters square off, it will be a treat for the fans and a chance at history for Islam Makhachev.  



Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira


The third fight on the docket is Magomed Ankalaev versus Alex Pereira. This fight must occur once and for all to determine who the top athlete in the division is. Poatan’s run through the UFC has been incredible, sealed by a dominant reign over the division. Pereira has cemented himself as a top fighter in the company with three title defenses over Jiří Procházka, Jamahal Hill, and Khalil Rountree Jr. The company’s biggest star has the MMA landscape at his fingertips, but many fans still have doubts. Magomed Ankalaev has run through the division with an impressive record of 20-1, 1NC; his status as the number one contender is undeniable. Critics of Pereira have pointed out that his previous contests have all favored the champion stylistically. Ankalaev is the first fighter Pereira will encounter who possesses slick kickboxing skills and outstanding skills on the mat, with jiu-jitsu skills to complement his mastery of Combat Sambo. Pereira has been accused of avoiding the Russian, and to silence the doubters and wipe out the light-heavyweight division, Poatan will need to defeat Ankalaev in 2025.



Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira


In 2024, Ilia Topuria officially became one of the company's biggest stars. The Spaniard capped off 2024 with back-to-back knockout victories over two all-time featherweight greats, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Topuria is now one of the company's most prominent and brightest talents, taking MMA’s popularity in Spain and Georgia to historic levels. Recent talks from Topuria’s camp hint at the champion vacating his title and moving up to the lightweight division. With Islam Makhachev’s potential move to welterweight, the belt may be vacated for an extended period. An interim lightweight title fight between Topuria and Oliveira would fascinate fans. Oliveira’s path of destruction through the division has been nothing short of incredible, and Topuria must account for the significant size advantage between the two. Topuria has looked invincible, with a perfect record to his name and a year rivaled by few fighters in the company's history. If Dana White is looking for a fight to engage the fans, Topuria versus Oliveira is a must.



Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker


Both these fighters need no introduction. Justin Gaethje versus Dan Hooker has the potential to be the greatest fifteen minutes of combat we’ve ever seen. Both possess a hunger for war, disregarding their safety and putting their bodies on the line for the victory and the fans. The former BMF Champion is looking to bounce back after a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway. Hooker, on the other hand, is one fight away from a title match, riding a three-fight win streak. Hooker’s ascent back to title contention has been inspiring; two years ago, seemingly one fight away from retirement. Both fighters need this fight to stay in title contention, and it is virtually guaranteed that this will be the fight of the year. For the fans, for the company, and these two fighters, Hooker versus Gaethje will undoubtedly bring the violence fans crave.

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