5 possible superfights the UFC could look to book in the near future

If there's one thing Dana White loves more than anything, it's a cross-divisional superfight. Thankfully, the UFC has a number of potential superfights they could look to book.

With dominant champions currently ruling over a number of the UFC's weight classes, could the promotion put together some superfights in the near future?

You never know exactly what is going to happen in the octagon, but there's definitely the possiblity in this case.

Here are five possible superfights the UFC could look to book in the near future.

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#5. UFC bantamweight title: Raquel Pennington or Julianna Pena vs. Valentina Shevchenko

Next month will see Valentina Shevchenko attempt to regain her flyweight title from the woman she lost it to, current champion Alexa Grasso.

Given that their last fight went to a semi-controversial draw, there's every chance that 'Bullet' comes out on top this time and reclaims the gold.

If she does that, though, what does the future really hold for her? In all honesty, given that she'd defended her crown on seven occasions prior to losing it to Grasso, there's not much left for her to do at 125 pounds.

However, the native of Kyrgyzstan does have unfinished business at 135 pounds. She came incredibly close to unseating Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title back in 2017, and with different judges, could easily have won that fight.

Therefore, could Shevchenko make a bid for a superfight and challenge the winner of the upcoming Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena bantamweight title bout?

From the perspective of 'Bullet' it makes a lot of sense, and the UFC could easily be swayed too given the lack of star power in both divisions.

Kayla Harrison might have something to say about it, of course, as she'll expect a bantamweight title shot of her own if she beats Ketlen Vieira later this year.

Overall, though, it wouldn't be a shock to see her overlooked in favor of a Shevchenko superfight if 'The Bullet' wins next month.

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#4. UFC welterweight title: Islam Makhachev vs. Belal Muhammad

When Belal Muhammad largely dominated Leon Edwards to claim the welterweight title earlier this summer, many fans were shocked. Despite his long winning streak, few people believed 'Remember the Name' could become a UFC champion.

Muhammad proved them wrong, though, and now sits at the top of the mountain at 170 pounds. It looks like the new champion's first test is going to be against the unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov, perhaps even in December.

However, one curveball could come Muhammad's way in the form of current lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev. The Dagestani has not lost a fight since late 2015, and looks set to make his fourth title defense against Arman Tsarukyan in December.

Despite this, Makhachev is considered one of the UFC's top stars and drawing cards right now, and if he decided to make a run at the welterweight title instead, it's unlikely Dana White would want to talk him down.

After all, Makhachev has already been involved in a superfight against then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski, and a move to 170 pounds has already been mooted by some insiders.

Therefore, could we see Makhachev vs. Muhammad instead of those two afore-mentioned fights? It depends how far along the negotiations for those bouts are, so it isn't impossible.

If both men were to win, though, then this superfight would definitely stand in the realm of possibility for early 2025.

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#3. UFC BMF title: Max Holloway vs. Michael Chandler

In many ways, the UFC's 'BMF' title is already one based around superfights. Initially fought for by welterweights Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, it's currently held by a featherweight in Max Holloway, and he won it by beating lightweight Justin Gaethje.

'Blessed' already has his next fight booked; he's set to face Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title in October. Win or lose, though, the Hawaiian will remain the 'BMF' champion.

Therefore, one potential superfight that could go ahead for that title could see Holloway face off against another lightweight star, Michael Chandler.

'Iron Mike' has not fought since 2022 and is still waiting for his long-awaited clash with Conor McGregor, but as the months go by, the chances of the Irishman returning feel slimmer and slimmer.

Therefore, putting Chandler into a 'BMF' title bout with Holloway could make plenty of sense, and could work as a consolation prize of sorts for the former Bellator champion.

More importantly, of course, Chandler is one of the most exciting fighters in MMA history, and he's already considered the very definition of a 'BMF'.

A fight between 'Iron Mike' and Holloway would be absolute mayhem, and so this superfight makes too much sense not to book in the future.

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#2. UFC heavyweight title: Tom Aspinall vs. Alex Pereira

Right now, the fight that everyone wants Tom Aspinall involved in is a heavyweight title unification bout with Jon Jones.

However, Jones seems content to pursue Stipe Miocic for a so-called 'legacy fight', and after that - assuming he wins - it feels more likely that he'll walk away than fight Aspinall.

If that happens, then, one big superfight that could be on the horizon for Aspinall could see him fight current 205 pound kingpin Alex Pereira.

'Poatan' is set to defend his title for the third time in October against Khalil Rountree, and if he wins, it wouldn't be a surprise at all to see him look to make history.

No fighter in UFC history has ever won titles in three different weight classes. If Pereira could step up to heavyweight and down Aspinall - who would likely be upgraded to undisputed champion if Jones were to retire - it'd arguably make him the GOAT.

Of course, given his massive size, power and grappling skill, Aspinall would probably come into a fight with the Brazilian as the favorite.

Despite this, it'd be hard to count out the knockout power and sheer aura of 'Poatan' too.

With all of this considered, then, this one could easily become the big-money fight that allures the fans at some point in 2025.

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#1. UFC featherweight title: Ilia Topuria vs. Sean O'Malley

Right now, both bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley and featherweight champion Ilia Topuria have their next fights booked.

O'Malley will defend his 135 pound crown against Merab Dvalishvili next month, while October will see Topuria put his gold on the line against former champ Max Holloway.

If both men win, though, it's easy to imagine a scenario where the UFC would book them against one another in early 2025.

It's a fight that O'Malley has already talked about, as he called out Topuria after his defense against Marlon Vera earlier this year. At that point, 'El Matador' told 'Sugar' to deal with Dvalishvili first, something he'll now hope to do in September.

After that, though, it'd definitely be fun to see O'Malley step up and attempt to become a two-division champion.

After all, 'Sugar' is already a big 135-pounder, and would actually hold a sizeable height and reach advantage over Topuria in a potential fight.

With both men possessing brutal knockout power and excellent striking skills, the fight would also be a lot of fun to watch and would be unpredictable, too.

Right now, O'Malley feels like he's standing on the cusp of becoming perhaps the UFC's biggest current star. A second title win would definitely put him right in that spot, meaning that he may well push for this superfight with a win next month.

If that's the case, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Dana White and company oblige him.