The past year saw the UFC exceed expectations, staging memorable battles that remained true to Dana White’s commitment of providing unparalleled entertainment. The excitement ensued from the event on January 13 and lasted until UFC Tampa, sparking a roller coaster of emotions amongst fight lovers. Notable showcases were the footage-worthy UFC 300 and astonishing UFC Noche held at the Sphere. As the curtains dawn on this packed year and the UFC goes on its holiday hiatus, enthusiasts eagerly discuss the future. The last thrilling performance of 2024 was a treat for fans from Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley, ensuring a climax befitting the year.
While some fans are restless about the pause, the first event of 2025 isn’t too far away. The 2025 UFC campaign launches on January 12 with a Fight Night event built around the adrenaline-filled clash between Amanda Ribas and Mackenzie Dern, two formidable Brazilian fighters, at UFC Apex in Vegas. Fans will not be left unsatisfied, thanks to heart-pounding duels like those between Cesar Almeida and Abdul Razak Alhassan, and Santiago Ponzinibbio versus Carlston Harris. It’s just the right dose of thrill to jumpstart a new season.
Into the realm of Pay-Per-View, UFC 311 is set to start 2025 off with a literal bang. Islam Makhachev steps onto the canvas to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan, promising a rematch that storybooks are made of. Makhachev will be fighting to maintain a streak of 4 title defenses, while Tsarukyan will be reaching for glory and seeking UFC gold.
The co-featured event will see Umar Nurmagomedov stepping into the octagon against Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight championship. Nurmagomedov goes into the battle after securing his chance in the August prior. In the midst of everything, Dana White has pledged unexpected twists in the plot for UFC admirers in 2025, making sure the exhilaration level remains sky-high and the new year opens a box full of surprises.
Furthermore, Aspinall recently showered praises on Ilia Topuria for his stellar performances in the past year. Taking note of Topuria’s significant victories, Aspinall highlighted his triumph over Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski, labelling him a role model and a favorite. He also shed light on how Topuria didn’t just snatch the belt from Volkanovski in February, but also managed to KO Max Holloway, a warrior yet to be taken down in the UFC.
Aspinall professed that Topuria’s feats in 2025 might even overshadow his remarkable 2024 campaign. From his perspective, ‘Defeating two such legends within a year is no small spectacle. What this guy might achieve in 2025 could probably outshine his accomplishments of 2024. It’s going to be fascinating to see whether Aspinall’s prophecy about the rise of Topuria holds merit or if the fighter encounters a challenging journey.
Indeed, the dawn of 2025 shapes up to be a critical phase in Topuria’s career as well. Fans and fight pundits will be keeping a vigilant eye on his maneuvers, eagerly waiting to witness how he takes on the ever-evolving challenges of the octagon. It’s clear that whether in or out of the ring, 2025 is destined to be a thrilling time for fans and fighters alike.