“Five Thrilling Fights UFC Can’t Miss Booking in 2025 – Or Face the Fans’ Fury!”

The year 2024 proved to be exciting for mixed martial arts (MMA), with numerous thrilling fights, whether it involved Alex Pereira overwhelming everyone in his way, Jon Jones taking Stipe Miocic out and concluding his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) journey, or the chaos of Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Nevertheless, in 2025, UFC matchmakers must arrange additional exhilarating, wild fights, and MMAMania.com is here to propose five suggestions.

Thus, with that in mind, here are five matchups that UFC CEO Dana White and his team should establish in 2025.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

Alright, let’s address this first: Jones vs. Aspinall absolutely needs to occur in 2024 – without fail. This is the most significant confrontation that UFC can arrange and will become the largest Heavyweight fight in the organization’s history (although Brock Lesnar may have something to say about that).

Apart from the multitude of elements surrounding this fight, such as Jones’ experience in contrast to Aspinall’s vigor and how “Bones” handles Aspinall’s quickness, there’s a narrative.

During UFC 309, Jones completely ignored Aspinall. He explicitly stated, ‘I don’t wish to fight this guy’ unless he receives “f—k you money.”

Is Jones intimidated by the impending Heavyweight luminary? We’re uncertain, and that uncertainty adds to the allure.

Jones vs. Aspinall in the headline event of the 2025 International Fight Week in Las Vegas—it doesn’t get much grander. Heck, host it at Raider’s Stadium as well.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. any champion

Since Khamzat Chimaev’s remarkable streak in 2020, he has been recognized as a forthcoming UFC champion and, some believed, a three-division champion.

Nonetheless, life events, health issues, and injuries have considerably interrupted his trajectory. Yet, it seems he has returned stronger than ever, particularly after he shattered Robert Whittaker’s face at UFC 308.

To be frank, “Borz” should likely be contending against Dricus Du Plessis for the Middleweight championship early next year in Australia. However, what’s past is past, and we can set our sights on the future. He must finally secure an opportunity to fight for a title in 2025.

Chimaev vs. Du Plessis would be a collision, and the interactions between Chimaev and Sean Strickland would be dark yet captivating.

Regardless of whether he wins or loses, who cares? He must battle for the title so that all can witness the prophecy.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Henry Cejudo

The Flyweight category is in chaos as champion Alexandre Pantoja lacks new contenders. Yes, Kai Kara-France is likely next, and Manel Kape showcased an outstanding performance at UFC Tampa, but aside from those two, it would mainly be trilogies for Pantoja (i.e., Brandon Royval and Brandon Moreno).

Henry Cejudo should make a comeback to the division where he was once monarch to attempt to achieve the title of two-time champion (Khabib Nurmagomedov agrees as well).

Admittedly, he is 37 years old, currently on a two-fight losing streak, and hasn’t weighed in at 125 lbs for five years, but ultimately, he remains an elite athlete, and it pains me to acknowledge that the division needs ‘The King of Cringe.’

Moreover, Pantoja requires a name like Cejudo on his record to genuinely cement his position among the all-time Flyweight legends.

Patricio Pitbull vs. Michael Chandler 2

It’s time for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to release Patricio Pitbull to conclude his legendary career in UFC.

Who better to greet him at the premier fight promotion in the world than “Iron” Michael Chandler?

The two Lightweights clashed back at Bellator 221, where Pitbull knocked Chandler out within a minute to become the Bellator Lightweight champion (watch highlights).

With Chandler now out of the UFC title equation due to his defeat to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 and his fight with Conor McGregor off (for the time being), it’s time for him to pursue entertaining bouts and earn as much revenue as possible.

Pitbull vs. Chandler would be tremendously entertaining. Additionally, it would allow Pitbull to introduce himself to a new UFC audience that has never witnessed his incredible career.

Jalin Turner vs. Joel Alvarez

To be honest, for the final matchup, I considered selecting Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes, Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev, or Sean O’Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen, but I’m taking a different route.

Top 15 ranked Lightweights Jalin Turner and Joel Alvarez should clash next year, and here’s why.

Both fighters are enormous for their weight class, standing at 6’3″, and, most crucially, they both possess 100% finish rates, indicating this bout would be utterly brutal for however long it endures.

Alvarez boasts 18 first-round finishes, with 17 being submissions, while Turner has 11 first-round finishes, most of which are by knockout.

This fight may have no stakes, but it would certainly be a blast.

So, what do you think, Maniacs? Are any of these matchups appealing to you? Share your thoughts below on additional fights that UFC should consider for 2025.