2024 was a fun year for mixed martial arts (MMA), and there were several awesome fights, whether it was Alex Pereira demolishing everyone in his path, Jon Jones taking Stipe Miocic out back and ending his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) career or the madness of Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
However, in 2025, the UFC matchmakers need to book some more fun, crazy fights, and MMAMAnia.com will give them five ideas.
So, with that being said, here are five fights that UFC CEO Dana White and Co. need to make in 2025.
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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Okay, let’s get this one out of the way: Jones vs. Aspinall must happen in 2024 – no matter what. It is the biggest fight that UFC can put on and will be the biggest Heavyweight fight in the promotion’s history (well, maybe Brock Lesnar would like a word).
In addition to the fight having so many factors, like Jones’ age vs. Aspinall’s youthfulness and how “Bones” deals with Aspinall’s speed, there is a storyline.
Jones no-sold Aspinall for the entirety of UFC 309. He flat out said, ‘I don’t want to fight this guy‘ unless he gets “f—k you money.”
Does Jones feel threatened by the next Heavyweight great? We don’t know, and that’s what makes it intriguing.
Jones vs. Aspinall in the main event of 2025 International Fight Week in Las Vegas—it doesn’t get much bigger. Hell, put it in Raider’s Stadium, too.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. any champion
Ever since Khamzat Chimaev’s magical run in 2020, he has been flagged as a future UFC champion and, some thought, a three-division champ.
However, life, illness, and injuries have significantly derailed his path. Still, it feels like he is back and better than ever, especially after he broke Robert Whittaker’s face at UFC 308.
Let’s be honest. “Borz” should probably be fighting Dricus Du Plessis for the Middleweight strap early next year in Australia. But what’s done is done, and we can only look to the future. He must finally get a chance to fight for a title in 2025.
Chimaev vs. Du Plessis would be a car crash, and the build-up between Chimaev and Sean Strickland would be dark yet entertaining.
Whether he wins or loses, who cares? He has to fight for the championship so that everyone can witness the prophecy.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Henry Cejudo
The Flyweight division is in disarray because champion Alexandre Pantoja has no new challengers. Yes, Kai Kara-France is most likely next, and Manel Kape looked absolutely fantastic at UFC Tampa, but other than those two, it would all be trilogies for Pantoja (i.e., Brandon Royval and Brandon Moreno).
Henry Cejudo should return to the weight class where he was once king and try to become a two-time champion (Khabib Nurgmagomedov says so, too).
Sure, he is 37 years old, on a two-fight losing streak, and hasn’t made 125 lbs in five years, but ultimately, he is still an elite athlete, and it hurts to say that the division needs ‘The King of Cringe.’
Plus, Pantoja needs a name like Cejudo on his resume to really solidify his place in the list of all-time Flyweight greats.
Patricio Pitbull vs. Michael Chandler 2
It’s time for Professional Fighters League (PFL) to let Patricio Pitbull go and finish his legendary career in UFC.
Who better to welcome him to the largest fight promotion in the world? “Iron” Michael Chandler.
The two Lightweights collided back at Bellator 221, and Pitbull knocked Chandler out in one minute to become Bellator Lightweight champion (watch highlights).
With Chandler now out of the UFC title picture because of his loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 and his fight with Conor McGregor gone (for now), it’s time for him to continue taking fun fights and making as much money as possible.
Pitbull vs. Chandler is extremely fun. Plus, it will let Pitbull introduce himself to a new UFC audience that has never watched his awesome career.
Jalin Turner vs. Joel Alvarez
To be honest, for the last one, I was going to choose Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes, Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev, or Sean O’Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen, but I’m going off the beaten path.
Top 15 ranked Lightweights Jalin Turner and Joel Alvarez need to scrap next year, and here is why.
Both men are gigantic for their weight class, standing 6’3″, and, most importantly, they both have 100% finish rates, meaning this fight would be absolutely violent for as long as it lasts.
Alvarez has 18 first-round finishes, 17 being submissions, while Turner has 11 first-round finishes, with most being knockouts.
This fight would have zero stakes, but it would be very fun.
So, what do you think, Maniacs? Do any of these fights interest you? Comment down below on more fights that UFC needs to make in 2025.