UFC schedule for January 2025: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan rematch, Umar Nurmagomedov's title shot, and more

The UFC had yet another successful year filled with a number of thrilling fights in 2024. Heading into 2025, the world's premier MMA organization looks to build on its momentum and continue giving martial arts enthusiasts and fight fans amazing events.

The month of December 2024 was capped off by the UFC Tampa event, which featured a pivotal fight between former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington and rising star Joaquin Buckley. The UFC organized fewer events than usual, in December -- given that it was Christmas and the Holiday Season, and most fighters prefer spending time with friends and family rather than competing.

Similarly, the month of January, fresh off the celebrations welcoming the New Year, is set to feature fewer UFC events than what fans are used to in other months during the year. The organization first heads to Vegas for a Fight Night card and then to California for a pay-per-view (PPV) -- marking the two main roster UFC events that'll take place in January.

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UFC schedule for January 2025

Today, we look at the matchups that have been confirmed by the UFC for the month of January 2025. The fight cards have been displayed in accordance with the latest listings on the UFC's official website. As always, fight cards are subject to change.

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#1. UFC Vegas 101 -- Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2

The first UFC fight card of the 2025 calendar year is UFC Vegas 101, which goes down at the UFC's Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., on Jan. 11, 2025.

It'll be headlined by a rematch between two fan-favorite fighters in the women's strawweight division, with BJJ great Mackenzie Dern taking on Amanda Ribas. Their first encounter, which saw Ribas beat Dern via unanimous decision, transpired back in October 2019. Their rematch was initially booked for UFC Tampa in December 2024 but was later postponed to headline UFC Vegas 101.

As for the UFC Vegas 101 co-headlining match, it pits UFC middleweight staple Chris Curtis against Roman Kopylov. The matchup has received considerable attention as of late. America's Curtis recently alleged that Russia's Kopylov sent spies to his gym to extract insider information about his camp heading into their fight.

Additionally, the card boasts several other exciting matchups, featuring rising stars and veteran fighters, including the likes of knockout artists like Abdul Razak Alhassan and Santiago Ponzinibbio.

The UFC Vegas 101 card is as follows:

Main card

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas (women's strawweight)

Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov (middleweight)

Cesar Almeida vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (middleweight)

Christian Rodriguez vs. Austin Bashi (featherweight)

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston Harris (welterweight)

Punahele Soriano vs. Uros Medic (welterweight)

Preliminary card

Marco Tulio vs. Ihor Potieria (middleweight)

Thiago Moises vs. Trey Ogden (lightweight)

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Bruno Lopes (light heavyweight)

Jose Johnson vs. Felipe Bunes (flyweight)

Nurullo Aliev vs. Yanal Ashmouz (lightweight)

Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Nicolle Caliari (women's flyweight)

Preston Parons vs. Andreas Gustafsson (welterweight)

Fatima Kline vs. Viktoriia Dudakova/Victoria Dudakova (women's strawweight)

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#2. UFC 311 -- Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2

The second, and final, UFC event of January 2025 will be the UFC 311 pay-per-view, which goes down at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, U.S.A., on Jan. 18, 2025. It'll feature two highly-anticipated title matchups.

The headlining match has reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev attempting to defend his title against longtime rival Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch. Their fight took place in April 2019, with Tsarukyan stepping in on short notice to take on the Dagestani combatant. Makhachev emerged victorious in that back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

Heading into their rematch Makhachev has vowed to dominantly defeat Tsarukyan and leave no doubt as to who the better fighter is. Alternatively, Tsarukyan has consistently maintained that a full camp for the rematch and his evolution over the years has made him more than capable of avenging his 2019 defeat and dethroning Makhachev.

Furthermore, the UFC 311 co-headliner has reigning UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili putting his title on the line against archrival Umar Nurmagomedov. It'll be the unbeaten Umar's maiden title shot and a golden opportunity for him to add another UFC world title to the Nurmagomedov family's legacy.

Intriguingly, the card features three of retired MMA great Khabib Nurmagomedov's teammates -- his cousin Umar and friends, Makhachev and Tagir Ulanbekov. 'The Eagle' has helped them during fight camp and is expected to be in their corner come fight night.

Also, the UFC 311 card boasts many veteran fighters and fan favorites like Kevin Holland and Renato Moicano, as well as former UFC champions like Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill.

The UFC 311 card is as follows:

Main card

Islam Makhachev (C) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (UFC lightweight title)

Merab Dvalishvili (C) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (UFC bantamweight title)

Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano (lightweight)

Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill (light heavyweight)

Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder (middleweight)

Preliminary card

Johnny Walker vs. Bogdan Guskov (light heavyweight)

Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos (bantamweight)

Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac (heavyweight)

Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas (middleweight)

Early preliminary card

Grant Dawson vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (lightweight)

Karol Rosa vs. Ailin Perez (women's bantamweight)

Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov (bantamweight)

Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj (bantamweight)

Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter (flyweight)