5 UFC fights we need to see in 2025

Will Tom Aspinall finally face Jon Jones in 2025? [Image: @tomaspinallofficial on Instagram]
Will Tom Aspinall finally face Jon Jones in 2025? [Image courtesy: @tomaspinallofficial on Instagram]

2025 is almost upon us, meaning that UFC fans don't need to wait long for action. The first event of the year is set for Jan. 11.

While several big UFC fights have been announced for 2025 already, though, there are certainly some that fans will demand to see next year.

Whether Dana White and company can make these fights happen remains to be seen, but with any luck, we'll see them all come this time in 12 months.

Here are five UFC fights we need to see in 2025.

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#5. UFC bantamweight title: Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison

Perhaps the most obvious fight on this list is a bantamweight title bout between current champion Julianna Pena and former PFL titleholder Kayla Harrison.

Realistically, there's an argument that Olympic gold medallist Harrison probably should've been ahead of Pena in the queue for a shot at then-champion Raquel Pennington last year.

That's because Harrison mauled former champ Holly Holm in her octagon debut in April, finishing her in the second round. Pena, meanwhile, had not fought since her 2022 loss to Amanda Nunes.

The UFC's brass didn't feel that way, though, and instead, 'The Venezuelan Vixen' outpointed Pennington in October to reclaim the title she previously held.

With Harrison easily beating Ketlen Vieira in her second octagon bout, though, there's now seemingly no way that Pena can avoid a collision course with her in 2025.

Assuming the promotion does put this one together - and they don't have a lot of choice given the dearth of other challengers at 135 pounds - it feels like it'll be a rare title fight where the challenger will be the favorite.

Pena, though, already has one of MMA's greatest-ever upsets under her belt. Only a fool would write her off, even against a wrecking machine like Harrison. That's why this fight is one that we must see in 2025.


#4. UFC lightweight title: Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria

In a lot of ways, the idea of champion vs. champion fights in the UFC has become tired at this stage.

However, it's fair to say that a fight between reigning featherweight champ Ilia Topuria and his lightweight counterpart Islam Makhachev would be one of the most intriguing bouts the promotion could put together right now.

Makhachev will have his hands full with Arman Tsarukyan in January, and has multiple viable contenders, namely former titleholder Charles Oliveira, waiting in the wings among others.

Topuria, meanwhile, hasn't held his title for a year yet, even if he does hold big wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.

Despite that, it's hard not to get excited over the idea of this one. Not only did 'El Matador' used to compete at 155 pounds, but he's already mooted the idea of abandoning his featherweight title to move back there.

More to the point, it's easy to imagine his explosive striking and strong wrestling ability giving Makhachev some serious problems.

If this one does happen, it'll likely be in the latter half of 2025. However, the best things are worth waiting for, and there's an argument that the biggest challenge for both men could be each other. If both men keep winning, then it's likely the clamor for this bout will only grow.


#3. UFC light-heavyweight title: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Arguably, no fighter had a better 2024 in the UFC than Alex Pereira. Not only did 'Poatan' hold onto his light-heavyweight title, but he defended it successfully three times, destroying Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Essentially, the Brazilian kickboxer has probably done enough to be considered a genuine legend of the octagon at this stage, even if his career there is only three years old.

However, the one question about Pereira's prowess centers around how he would deal with a powerful grappler, rather than a fellow striker.

That's why it's so imperative that 'Poatan' faces top contender Magomed Ankalaev in 2025.

The Dagestani is not only a powerful wrestler who has been able to take down every foe he's faced in the octagon, but he's also riding a huge 13-fight unbeaten run dating back to 2018.

Given Pereira has already beaten the other viable contenders in the division, Ankalaev is the only challenger worthy of a shot right now and could be the only fighter capable of testing him.

Therefore, fans should hope that a recent post on X by 'Poatan' was tongue-in-cheek. Essentially, Pereira vs. Ankalaev is a fight we need to see in 2025.


#2. UFC middleweight title: Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

February's UFC 312 will see the promotion's next middleweight title bout, as champ Dricus du Plessis is set to defend against former titleholder Sean Strickland.

While the first clash between 'Stillknocks' and 'Tarzan' definitely could've gone either way, there's a bittersweet feeling around this rematch.

That's because, realistically, few fans want to see Strickland challenge for the gold again.

Sure, he's coming off a win over Paulo Costa, but everyone knows that the real top contender at 185 pounds now is Khamzat Chimaev.

'Borz' has only fought three times as a middleweight, with just two of those fights coming in recent years. However, the ease with which he dispatched former champ Robert Whittaker in October - seemingly shattering his jaw with a face crank inside a round - was terrifying.

The truth, then, is that almost everyone will be hoping that du Plessis can overcome his rival in February to set up a bout with Chimaev.

Sure, Strickland vs. Chimaev would be intriguing too, but given du Plessis has yet to lose in the UFC, and has beaten both Whittaker and Israel Adesanya, he's the preferable opponent.

Either way, it's hard to shake the idea that Chimaev is the uncrowned champ at middleweight, and so 'Borz' challenging for the gold is the fight everyone wants to see in 2025.


#1. UFC heavyweight title: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

While there are plenty of big fights on tap for 2025 and plenty of others that the UFC could put together, the one bout that every MMA fan wants to see right now is obvious.

The fight in question, of course, would see heavyweight champion Jon Jones defend his title against interim champion Tom Aspinall in a unification bout.

As everyone is aware, this fight has had clamor around it ever since Aspinall destroyed Sergei Pavlovich to claim his interim title in late 2023.

Many fans would've preferred to see the Brit challenge 'Bones' for the undisputed title this year after that win, but instead, the UFC plowed ahead with the idea of Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.

Jones duly dispatched the aging former champ this past November, sending him into retirement in the process. Aspinall, meanwhile, was able to avenge the only loss of his octagon career in the summer by knocking out Curtis Blaydes.

Despite Jones suggesting he'd prefer to avoid the clash with Aspinall, then, it looks like fan opinion may win the day this time around. Dana White has already stated that he'll do whatever it takes to make the fight, and recent reports suggest that it could be a done deal for July.

Who will win? It's honestly hard to say, but there should be plenty of time to go into depth on that later down the line. For now, it's fair to state that this is the fight that White and the company need to produce in 2025, no questions asked.

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Edited by Jigyanshushri Mahanta
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