UFC CEO Dana White is finally willing to admit Islam Makhachev is the best in the world.  After M...

<p>UFC CEO Dana White is finally willing to admit Islam Makhachev is the best in the world.</p><p>After Makhachev <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3194492" href="https://thescore.com/news/3194492">submitted</a> Renato Moicano in his fourth lightweight title defense Saturday at UFC 311 in Los Angeles, White said he believes the Russian has surpassed heavyweight champion Jon Jones as the promotion's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.</p><p>"Yeah, yeah. I'll give it to him," White said at the postfight press conference. "Are you happy? Is everybody happy now he's the pound-for-pound (No. 1)?"</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Makhachev made quick work of Moicano, tapping him out with a D'Arce choke in the first round of the main event. Moicano stepped in on one day's notice for Arman Tsarukyan, who withdrew Friday due to a back injury. Moicano, ranked No. 10 in the division, was originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on the card.</p><p>White said he decided to promote Makhachev to No. 1 on his personal pound-for-pound list because the champion had no problem with facing a new opponent and performed well.</p><p>"Islam was willing to fight anybody," White said. "He stayed active. And he went out tonight and performed the way a guy should on a short-notice fight when you are the best in the world and you're the champion."</p><p>Makhachev's fourth title defense surpassed his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov and three other former champs for most in UFC lightweight history. White said he "100%" considers Makhachev the greatest 155-pound fighter of all time.</p><p>"There's no doubt about it," White said. "He's the pound-for-pound best in the world right now, and he's definitely the best to ever do it in that division."</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: UFC CEO Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 311 press conference at Intuit Dome on January 16, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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White: Makhachev now pound-for-pound No. 1 over Jones

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev made his latest title defense look easy.  Makhachev subm...

<p>UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev made his latest title defense look easy.</p><p>Makhachev submitted Renato Moicano with a D'Arce choke at the 4:05 mark of the first round in the UFC 311 main event Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.</p><p>"I'm always looking for the finish. ... If my opponent gives me a small chance, I will close the night," Makhachev said in his postfight interview.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Makhachev now holds the record for most lightweight title defenses in UFC history (four), breaking a tie with his coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and three others. Makhachev is also now tied with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest winning streak in UFC history (15), behind only Anderson Silva (16).</p><p>Makhachev took Moicano down midway through the first round and controlled him from on top. With just over a minute left, Moicano created space and tried to stand up, but Makhachev grabbed hold of a D'Arce choke and forced the tap in mere seconds.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">IT'S OVER IN ROUND ONE 😱 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC311?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC311</a><br><br>ISLAM MAKHACHEV SUBMITS RENATO MOICANO! <a href="https://t.co/mbe53Ymezj">pic.twitter.com/mbe53Ymezj</a></p>— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) <a href="https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/1880857923452055919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Moicano stepped in on a day's notice after Makhachev's original opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, pulled out of the UFC 311 main event due to a back injury. Moicano, the No. 10-ranked lightweight, was originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on the card.</p><p>Moicano reflected on the last-minute opportunity to challenge for the title and ultimately coming up short.</p><p>"That was not one day's notice. That was a life's notice," Moicano said. "I'm very sad. I spent my whole life for this moment, and I tapped in the first round. Islam was much better than I today.</p><p>"I have so much to say, but (this isn't) the right time. I'm not done. I will - I don't know if I will ever get a chance like that again, but I will try my best."</p><p>UFC CEO Dana White said he doesn't plan to give Tsarukyan the next title shot following his withdrawal.</p><p>"He's going back to the drawing board," White said of Tsarukyan. "I don't want anybody to ever fight hurt ever. We've been in these positions before. Went down there with a doctor, went down there with Heather from the PI - who is, you can ask any fighter or anybody else, she's the best in the world - and you miss opportunities sometimes. And he did. So we'll see how this plays out for him next year."</p><p>Makhachev earned his third consecutive stoppage win and his seventh in eight fights. The 33-year-old, who hasn't lost since his second UFC appearance in 2015, now holds a 27-1 pro record.</p><p>Makhachev captured the title with a submission of Charles Oliveira in October 2022 and has since defended it against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier, and now Moicano.</p><p>Moicano's four-fight winning streak ended. He was coming off a dominant TKO victory over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC Paris last September in which he emerged as a potential title contender. The 35-year-old Brazilian suffered his first loss since March 2022 and his first stoppage defeat since December 2020.</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after a submission victory against Renato Moicano of Brazil in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 311 event at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Makhachev submits Moicano in Round 1 to retain UFC lightweight title

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili went into his first title defense as a 2-1 underdog. ...

<p>UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili went into his first title defense as a 2-1 underdog. And for the first 10 minutes of the fight, it looked like Umar Nurmagomedov had his number.</p><p>But as the fight progressed, Dvalishvili got stronger and, slowly but surely, became the first man to solve the puzzle of the most successful family in MMA.</p><p>Dvalishvili defeated Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain his title in the UFC 311 co-main event Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"The whole world was against me," Dvalishvili said in his postfight interview. "I was the underdog. But you think what I was thinking, 'I don't give a shit.' I believe in myself. I believe in my hard work."</p><p>Nurmagomedov suffered his first career loss against Dvalishvili, falling to 18-1 as a professional. The combined record between Nurmagomedov, his brother, Bellator lightweight champion Usman, and his cousin, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib, is now 65-1 (1 NC).</p><p>Nurmagomedov outworked Dvalishvili in the first 10 minutes of Saturday's title fight, landing cleaner strikes on the feet and displaying excellent takedown defense. Nurmagomedov was ahead 20-18 on two of three judges' scorecards going into the third round.</p><p>But Dvalishvili rallied in the second half of the fight to keep the title. He upped his aggression, pushed Nurmagomedov against the fence, and outlasted the challenger, who grew tired in the fifth round, with his supreme cardiovascular endurance.</p><p>Dvalishvili completed seven of 30 takedown attempts overall - surpassing former UFC two-division champion Georges St-Pierre for the most takedowns in UFC history (91) - and edged Nurmagomedov 111-104 in significant strikes.</p><p>Nurmagomedov said he felt like he won but that he needed to watch the fight back.</p><p>"I think first two rounds I won, others were close," Nurmagomedov said. "I don't think I lose this fight. ... I'm not arguing with the judges. I need to rewatch. I need to see the full rounds."</p><p>Dvalishvili revealed afterward that he wasn't at 100% during much of his training camp for the fight: He had to overcome <a href="https://x.com/afeldMMA/status/1880871699651981605">a serious staph infection</a> on his leg.</p><p>"You know I train all the time," Dvalishvili said. "I am 'The Machine.' But when I took this fight, it was six weeks' notice, and I was injured. I had a big cut on my leg, and I had an infection. But I know the UFC needed me. I heard from somebody that they really needed me."</p><p>Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov suffered an injury <em>during </em>the fight. The challenger broke his hand in the first round, his management confirmed to <a href="https://x.com/DamonMartin/status/1880857114492711320">MMA Fighting's Damon Martin</a>.</p><p>Dvalishvili is riding a 12-fight winning streak following his first title defense. "The Machine" captured the 135-pound belt with a lopsided decision victory over Sean O'Malley at UFC 306 last September at the promotion's debut at Sphere in Las Vegas. Dvalishvili hasn't suffered a loss in the Octagon since 2018.</p><p>Nurmagomedov, who debuted in the UFC in 2021, falls to 6-1 in the promotion. The Dagestani fighter earned a title shot by defeating top contender Cory Sandhagen last August.</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia reacts after the second round in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Dvalishvili outlasts Nurmagomedov to retain UFC bantamweight title

Jiri Prochazka came out victorious in a back-and-forth fight with fellow ex-UFC light heavyweight...

<p>Jiri Prochazka came out victorious in a back-and-forth fight with fellow ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill.</p><p>Prochazka defeated Hill via TKO at the 3:01 mark of the third round at UFC 311 on Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.</p><p>Prochazka landed a left hand and then floored Hill with a devastating right hook. Hill momentarily returned to his feet but fell back to the ground after absorbing more shots. Prochazka got on top of Hill again and fired off a flurry of ground-and-pound, forcing referee Mike Beltran to step in.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="ro" dir="ltr">Jiri Prochazka IS A MONSTER! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC311?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC311</a> <a href="https://t.co/zu4E2oiie2">pic.twitter.com/zu4E2oiie2</a></p>— TakeruCigarra (@TakeruCigarra) <a href="https://twitter.com/TakeruCigarra/status/1880834951714910459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The highly anticipated matchup was competitive from start to finish. Prochazka had a great start in Round 1, dropping Hill with a straight left and outstriking him. But Hill rallied in the second round, staying busier than Prochazka on the feet. Hill damaged Prochazka with punches to the body and landed a solid uppercut. All three judges scored the fight 19-19 heading into the third round.</p><p>Prochazka is back in the win column after suffering a knockout loss to 205-pound champion Alex Pereira at UFC 303 last June. The 32-year-old has alternated wins and losses in his past five Octagon appearances.</p><p>Hill was also coming off a knockout defeat to Pereira - at UFC 300 last April - and is now riding a two-fight skid.</p><p>Prochazka claimed the light heavyweight title with a submission of Glover Teixeira in June 2022 but relinquished the belt later that year after suffering an injury. Hill captured the vacant championship in January 2023 and then also gave it up due to an injury.</p><p>Pereira knocked out Prochazka in a November 2023 vacant title bout and has since defended the championship three times.</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: (L-R) Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic kicks Jamahal Hill in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 311 event at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Prochazka TKOs Hill in battle of former UFC champions

Former UFC stars Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen will serve as the coaches on "The Ultimate Fight...

<p>Former UFC stars Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen will serve as the coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 33" later this year, the promotion announced Saturday.</p><p>The season will premiere May 27. Weight classes are yet to be announced.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Good Guy vs The Bad Guy 👊<a href="https://twitter.com/dc_mma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DC_MMA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ChaelSonnen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChaelSonnen</a> will coach Season 33 of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TUF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TUF</a>! <a href="https://t.co/x2Lo53ycx9">pic.twitter.com/x2Lo53ycx9</a></p>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1880822147502981274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Cormier is a former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion. He retired from mixed martial arts in 2020 and was inducted into the promotion's Hall of Fame in 2022. He now works as a color commentator for the UFC.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Sonnen is a former UFC middleweight title challenger and was one of his era's most popular fighters. His final Octagon appearance came in 2013, and the final fight of his career took place under the Bellator banner in 2019. Sonnen serves as an analyst for ESPN, appearing on some UFC and PFL broadcasts.</p><p>Cormier and Sonnen currently host a podcast on ESPN together called "Good Guy / Bad Guy."</p><p>The two have been coaches on "TUF" before: Cormier starred on "TUF 27" opposite Stipe Miocic in 2018 and Sonnen was on "TUF: Brazil 3" opposite Wanderlei Silva in 2014.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Daniel Cormier announces the fights during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Cormier, Sonnen to coach 'TUF 33'

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev in the...

<p>UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the promotion announced Saturday.</p><p>Justin Gaethje will face Dan Hooker in a five-round lightweight bout in the co-main event.</p><p>Pereira defended the belt three times in 2024, stopping Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and, most recently, Khalil Rountree Jr. in a back-and-forth thriller at UFC 307 in October. Pereira, a former middleweight champ, captured the 205-pound throne in late 2023.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ankalaev has been the most deserving title contender for a while and will finally get a second chance to claim the strap. The Russian is coming off a unanimous decision win over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in October. He's riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak and hasn't lost since his UFC debut in 2018.</p><p>Ankalaev's first title shot came against Jan Blachowicz in 2022, but the fight ended in a split draw.</p><p>Gaethje, a former interim lightweight and BMF champion, is looking to rebound from a shocking knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April. Hooker, meanwhile, is coming off an upset win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 last August.</p>

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 05: (L-R) Alex Pereira of Brazil punches Khalil Rountree Jr. in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 307 event at Delta Center on October 05, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Pereira-Ankalaev, Gaethje-Hooker set for UFC 313

Bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott left UFC 311 with the first loss of his career, falling to R...

<p>Bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott left UFC 311 with the first loss of his career, falling to Raoni Barcelos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) on Saturday night in Los Angeles.</p><p>Talbott entered the fight as a -1050 betting favorite, making Barcelos' victory the sixth biggest upset - based on odds - in UFC history, according to Tapology.</p><p>Talbott now holds a 3-1 record in the Octagon and a 9-1 record as a professional. Many viewed the 26-year-old as one of the most promising up-and-comers at 135 pounds over the last year after he began his UFC career with three straight finishes, including a 19-second knockout of Yanis Ghemmouri last June.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Barcelos dominated Talbott from start to finish in the grappling department, completing eight of 15 takedown attempts and amassing over nine minutes of control time.</p><p>Barcelos, a 37-year-old Brazilian who's been in the UFC since 2018, is now 19-5 as a pro.</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Payton Talbott reacts after suffering his first career defeat against Raoni Barcelos of Brazil in a bantamweight fight during the UFC 311 event at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Talbott suffers 1st loss in huge upset at UFC 311

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez believes Jon Jones would get the better of Tom Asp...

<p>Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez believes Jon Jones would get the better of Tom Aspinall if they faced off in the Octagon.</p><p>"No, I don't think (Aspinall beats Jones)," Velasquez told "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYUTm9gv2b4">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>" on Tuesday. "Even just watching him, I kind of see his pattern a little bit - in his striking, the way he comes in and strikes. I think Jon sees it, too. Jon studies, man, he does his homework. He's a master at this. He analyzes things, he studies you over and over again. I think just for that reason, he's gonna know what to do. So I don't think (Aspinall) beats Jon, no."</p><p>A unification bout between Jones, the heavyweight champ, and Aspinall, the interim titleholder, is one of the biggest matchups the UFC can put together right now. However, there's no guarantee it'll come to fruition. UFC CEO Dana White has said he believes Jones-Aspinall will happen in 2025, though Jones has threatened to retire from MMA if the promotion doesn't give him a superfight against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira next.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Velasquez, now retired from MMA, was once linked to a matchup against Jones himself. Many wanted to see Jones - the light heavyweight champ at the time - move up in weight to challenge Velasquez for a second title. Velasquez held the heavyweight belt from 2010-11 and then again from 2012-15.</p><p>Velasquez, 42, went into further detail why he thinks Jones would beat Aspinall, pointing to Aspinall's aggressiveness on the feet as something Jones would capitalize on.</p><p>"When (Aspinall) comes in and attacks, he comes in and attacks. It's 100%, full go," Velasquez said. "He comes in, glides in, lunges in, and does his attack. Not that it's not effective; it is. He's done great things with it. ... But I think the type of guy that Jon Jones is, I think he studies him and he beats him because of that."</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 13: Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is seen in the corner of Gabriel Benitez of Mexico during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on January 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Velasquez favors Jones against Aspinall: 'He's a master at this'

As 2025 gets underway, many fighters have a common New Year's resolution: win a UFC championship....

<p><em>As 2025 gets underway, many fighters have a common New Year's resolution: win a UFC championship. Of course, that dream will come true for only a select few.</em></p><p><em>Below, theScore's Nick Baldwin predicts who the 11 UFC champions will be at the end of the year.</em></p><h3>Flyweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Alexandre Pantoja<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Alexandre Pantoja</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759642/cropped_GettyImages-2188814531.jpg?ts=1733696054" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759642/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188814531.jpg?ts=1733696054 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759642/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188814531.jpg?ts=1733696054 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759642/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188814531.jpg?ts=1733696054 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759642/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188814531.jpg?ts=1733696054 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759642/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188814531.jpg?ts=1733696054 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It seems as if, at least for now, there's no stopping Pantoja. He eked out a win over Steve Erceg and cruised past Kai Asakura in his two title defenses in 2024. Looking at the next few contenders in line, no one has a particularly good chance of seizing the throne. Pantoja will make it another full calendar year with the 125-pound belt around his waist.</p><h3>Bantamweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Merab Dvalishvili<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Umar Nurmagomedov</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/739677/cropped_GettyImages-2165152707.jpg?ts=1722723171" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/739677/w220xh124_GettyImages-2165152707.jpg?ts=1722723171 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/739677/w320xh180_GettyImages-2165152707.jpg?ts=1722723171 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/739677/w640xh360_GettyImages-2165152707.jpg?ts=1722723171 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/739677/w768xh432_GettyImages-2165152707.jpg?ts=1722723171 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/739677/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2165152707.jpg?ts=1722723171 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Josh Hedges / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Dvalishvili dominated Sean O'Malley to win the bantamweight title in September, but his first defense is a much bigger challenge - at least on paper. Nurmagomedov has looked like a future champion since his 2021 UFC debut, and stylistically, he should have the upper hand Jan. 18 when he faces Dvalishvili at UFC 311. Whoever wins that fight will be the front-runner to end 2025 as champion (which, yes, means Dvalishvili <em>could</em> ruin my prediction less than three weeks into the year).</p><h3>Featherweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Ilia Topuria<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Ilia Topuria</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761723/cropped_GettyImages-2181233344.jpg?ts=1734814953" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761723/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181233344.jpg?ts=1734814953 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761723/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181233344.jpg?ts=1734814953 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761723/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181233344.jpg?ts=1734814953 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761723/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181233344.jpg?ts=1734814953 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761723/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181233344.jpg?ts=1734814953 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The only thing that could prevent Topuria from making it through 2025 with the featherweight title is himself. The champion recently said he wanted to move up to lightweight for his next fight, but a lot of what's said in this sport doesn't end up coming to fruition. The safe bet is Topuria decides to stay at 145 pounds and not vacate the belt - because I believe most would argue that's the smart call for his career - and has no problem beating Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes or whoever the UFC puts in front of him.</p><h3>Lightweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Islam Makhachev<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Islam Makhachev</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631189/cropped_GettyImages-2155672472.jpg?ts=1717308902" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631189/w220xh124_GettyImages-2155672472.jpg?ts=1717308902 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631189/w320xh180_GettyImages-2155672472.jpg?ts=1717308902 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631189/w640xh360_GettyImages-2155672472.jpg?ts=1717308902 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631189/w768xh432_GettyImages-2155672472.jpg?ts=1717308902 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631189/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2155672472.jpg?ts=1717308902 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Luke Hales / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Makhachev has the biggest test of his title reign coming up at UFC 311 - a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan - but it's still not enough for me to hop off the bandwagon. Makhachev is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion for a reason and will still be sitting on the 155-pound throne in December.</p><h3>Welterweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Belal Muhammad<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Shavkat Rakhmonov</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759303/cropped_GettyImages-2188615424.jpg?ts=1733535387" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759303/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188615424.jpg?ts=1733535387 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759303/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188615424.jpg?ts=1733535387 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759303/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188615424.jpg?ts=1733535387 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759303/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188615424.jpg?ts=1733535387 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759303/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188615424.jpg?ts=1733535387 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>I picked Rakhmonov to end 2024 as welterweight champion, and I'm going back to the well. Truth be told, I could've been right had Muhammad not pulled out of his December title defense against Rakhmonov because of an infection in his foot. But that's OK; Rakhmonov's coronation will just come a year later than expected. His less-dominant-than-usual performance against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 did make me question whether Muhammad could in fact beat him, but the guy is 19-0 for a reason. I can't pick against him.</p><h3>Middleweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Dricus Du Plessis<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Khamzat Chimaev</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751883/cropped_GettyImages-2181229394.jpg?ts=1729987762" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751883/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181229394.jpg?ts=1729987762 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751883/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181229394.jpg?ts=1729987762 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751883/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181229394.jpg?ts=1729987762 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751883/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181229394.jpg?ts=1729987762 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751883/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181229394.jpg?ts=1729987762 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>This time last year, Sean Strickland was scheduled to defend the middleweight title against Du Plessis, and I picked Chimaev to end the year as champion. Now, Du Plessis is scheduled to defend the belt in a rematch with Strickland, and I'm still picking Chimaev to end the year as champion. Maybe I'll learn my lesson, but if you throw something at the wall enough times, eventually it'll stick, right?</p><p>On a serious note, this year just seems like a perfect setup for Chimaev to finally win UFC gold. Last year, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker were in the mix, too. But now, nothing is standing in the way of Chimaev facing the Du Plessis-Strickland winner. And for my money, he beats them both.</p><h3>Light heavyweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Alex Pereira<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Alex Pereira</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/cropped_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The only other person I'd consider picking to hold the light heavyweight title at the end of 2025 is Magomed Ankalaev. In fact, I thought that was the direction I would go in. But something just tells me Pereira will fend off Ankalaev and make it through yet another year with the 205-pound strap. He's 37 years old and putting on spectacular performances. None of it makes sense, but this is a wacky sport. Chama?</p><h3>Heavyweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Jon Jones<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Tom Aspinall</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738633/cropped_GettyImages-2163997451.jpg?ts=1722140964" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738633/w220xh124_GettyImages-2163997451.jpg?ts=1722140964 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738633/w320xh180_GettyImages-2163997451.jpg?ts=1722140964 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738633/w640xh360_GettyImages-2163997451.jpg?ts=1722140964 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738633/w768xh432_GettyImages-2163997451.jpg?ts=1722140964 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738633/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2163997451.jpg?ts=1722140964 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The only two ways Jones could end 2025 as the heavyweight champion are if he does a complete 180 on retirement (i.e., decides to fight a few more times) or if he agrees to fight Aspinall, wins, and slow rolls his eventual departure. Otherwise, this year will be Aspinall's crowning moment - finally.</p><p>My official prediction is the UFC promotes Aspinall to undisputed champion after Jones relinquishes the title, then the Englishman defends the throne against Ciryl Gane.</p><h3>Strawweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Zhang Weili<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Tatiana Suarez</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/562184/cropped_GettyImages-1469609784.jpg?ts=1677373127" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/562184/w220xh124_GettyImages-1469609784.jpg?ts=1677373127 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/562184/w320xh180_GettyImages-1469609784.jpg?ts=1677373127 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/562184/w640xh360_GettyImages-1469609784.jpg?ts=1677373127 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/562184/w768xh432_GettyImages-1469609784.jpg?ts=1677373127 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/562184/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1469609784.jpg?ts=1677373127 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Strawweight feels like a two-horse race between Zhang and Suarez this year. And they just happen to be scheduled to fight Feb. 8 at UFC 312. Convenient, right? I'm leaning toward Suarez to win the title and keep it through the end of 2025, but this matchup could easily go the other way. It might not be the only time these two square off in the Octagon.</p><h3>Women's flyweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Valentina Shevchenko<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Valentina Shevchenko</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/cropped_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Shevchenko's second title reign could last awhile based on her performance against Alexa Grasso last fall. Her next opponent, Manon Fiorot, won't be an easy out, but Shevchenko's high-level grappling will likely come in handy in that matchup. Beyond Fiorot, it's hard to see anyone giving Shevchenko much trouble. Up-and-coming flyweight Natalia Silva will be in the mix sooner rather than later, but that feels like a 2026 problem.</p><h3>Women's bantamweight</h3><p><strong>Current champion: </strong>Julianna Pena<br><strong>Champion at end of 2025: </strong>Kayla Harrison</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748651/cropped_GettyImages-2177010267.jpg?ts=1728182300" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748651/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177010267.jpg?ts=1728182300 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748651/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177010267.jpg?ts=1728182300 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748651/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177010267.jpg?ts=1728182300 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748651/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177010267.jpg?ts=1728182300 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748651/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177010267.jpg?ts=1728182300 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>This is the most confident I am that a title will change hands in 2025. Harrison had high expectations when she signed with UFC a year ago, and she's delivered so far with wins over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Harrison will defeat Pena and hold onto the belt for quite a while.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: A general view of a UFC championship belt prior to the UFC 247 press conference at T-Mobile Arena on December 13, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Predicting UFC champions at end of 2025

As the UFC, PFL, and other top MMA promotions get ready for their 2025 campaigns, it's time to la...

<p>As the UFC, PFL, and other top MMA promotions get ready for their 2025 campaigns, it's time to lay out some of our wishes for the new year.</p><p>Here are 10 realistic matchups we hope come to fruition sometime in the next 12 months.</p><h3>Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755359/cropped_GettyImages-2163377119.jpg?ts=1731608804" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755359/w220xh124_GettyImages-2163377119.jpg?ts=1731608804 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755359/w320xh180_GettyImages-2163377119.jpg?ts=1731608804 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755359/w640xh360_GettyImages-2163377119.jpg?ts=1731608804 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755359/w768xh432_GettyImages-2163377119.jpg?ts=1731608804 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755359/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2163377119.jpg?ts=1731608804 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Richard Sellers - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>For the second year in a row, Jones-Aspinall is at the top of our list. (And, for the two years before that, it was Jones against Francis Ngannou ... you're probably starting to notice a trend.) There's no fight in MMA right now more intriguing than this one. Jones is, of course, the UFC heavyweight champion and arguably the greatest fighter of all time. Aspinall is the interim champ and the man virtually everyone believes will reign over the division once Jones is retired. Some already rank Aspinall above Jones, even though Jones holds the real title. They need to square off in the Octagon to truly crown the top heavyweight in the UFC.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Unfortunately, Jones doesn't seem too interested in fighting Aspinall. Here's hoping the UFC makes Jones an offer he can't refuse - the sport will be worse off if it doesn't happen.</p><h3>Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev</h3><p>Talk about an immovable object versus an unstoppable force. Du Plessis can't seem to lose (no matter how hard he might try), and Chimaev practically only ever wins in dominant fashion. That's what makes this matchup so great; no outcome would be too shocking. If Du Plessis retains the UFC middleweight title in his Feb. 8 rematch with Sean Strickland, a fight against Chimaev is a must for the second half of 2025.</p><h3>Sean O'Malley vs. Umar Nurmagomedov</h3><p>Many thought this fight was inevitable going into O'Malley's UFC bantamweight title defense against Merab Dvalishvili in September. As fate had it, Dvalishvilii dominated O'Malley and will face Nurmagomedov himself at UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. But there are still multiple ways for the UFC to make O'Malley-Nurmagomedov happen this year. If Nurmagomedov loses to Dvalishvili, it'd make sense straight away. Or, if Nurmagomedov captures the title and O'Malley wins a fight in the meantime, they could square off with the belt on the line.</p><h3>Alexandre Pantoja vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 2</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/cropped_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759641/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188815571.jpg?ts=1733695983 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Pantoja is cleaning out the flyweight division at a surprisingly fast pace. The Brazilian has the fourth-longest active title reign and is tied with Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev for the most defenses among current champions (three). There aren't many intriguing options for him out of the current crop of 125-pound contenders, so why not run it back with Figueiredo? The latter is a former flyweight champion who holds a 2019 win over Pantoja. Figueiredo is 3-1 since moving up to bantamweight in 2023, but he said he'd be open to going back down for a rematch with Pantoja.</p><h3>Max Holloway vs. Michael Chandler</h3><p>Holloway has a ton of options now that he's permanently moving to lightweight following a knockout loss to UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. A rematch with Charles Oliveira could be a Fight of the Year candidate, a third meeting with Dustin Poirier is always there, and even Dan Hooker would be a fun opponent. But as a measuring stick to see exactly where Holloway is at (up a weight class and after a brutal loss), a BMF title defense against Chandler makes the most sense.</p><h3>Francis Ngannou vs. Vadim Nemkov</h3><p>When Ngannou signed with the PFL in 2023, the biggest problem was the lack of top heavyweights available for him to fight - and that remains true. Renan Ferreira ended up being a worthy B-side for Ngannou's return to MMA, but then Ngannou ground-and-pounded him into smithereens in October. The one guy who could be competitive with Ngannou is former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov, who now competes at heavyweight. If Ngannou decides to fight in MMA in 2025 (as opposed to boxing), this is his best option.</p><h3>Leon Edwards vs. Ian Machado Garry</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/763446/cropped_GettyImages-2163385646.jpg?ts=1735926213" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/763446/w220xh124_GettyImages-2163385646.jpg?ts=1735926213 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/763446/w320xh180_GettyImages-2163385646.jpg?ts=1735926213 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/763446/w640xh360_GettyImages-2163385646.jpg?ts=1735926213 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/763446/w768xh432_GettyImages-2163385646.jpg?ts=1735926213 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/763446/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2163385646.jpg?ts=1735926213 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Richard Sellers - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Garry proved he's one of the top welterweights in the UFC by narrowly losing to heavy favorite and impending title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December. The Irishman deserves another top-five opponent, and a matchup with Edwards - who has yet to step into the Octagon since losing the title to Belal Muhammad last summer - could be very entertaining.</p><h3>Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker</h3><p>Gaethje and Hooker are two of the most exciting lightweights in the UFC. And who doesn't love a fresh matchup in the sport's deepest division? Gaethje + Hooker = fireworks.</p><h3>Diego Lopes vs. Movsar Evloev 2</h3><p>Evloev beat Lopes in the latter's UFC debut in May 2023, but this is a far different matchup than it was then. These days, Evloev and Lopes are two of the best featherweights in the world. Whether they run it back now in a No. 1 contender bout or wait until later in the year, this rematch is a must for 2025.</p><h3>Joaquin Buckley vs. Carlos Prates</h3><p>Buckley and Prates both had incredible, career-altering campaigns in 2024. Prates made his UFC debut in February and rattled off four straight knockout wins, including a main-event victory over Neil Magny in November. Buckley also won four fights, beating the likes of Colby Covington and Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. Buckley and Prates are two of the most promising welterweight contenders heading into 2025, and a fight between the two would be thrilling and would move the winner further up the ladder.</p>

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10 MMA fights we want to see in 2025

Anthony Joshua wants to finally step into the ring for a long-awaited showdown against Tyson Fury...

<p>Anthony Joshua wants to finally step into the ring for a long-awaited showdown against Tyson Fury.</p><p>"That's my target: 2025, I'm targeting Tyson Fury," Joshua told <a href="https://x.com/NTANewsNow/status/1874829334260625760">NTA News</a>.</p><p>The former two-time heavyweight champion is looking to rebound from a stunning knockout loss to IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois in September.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The timing of a matchup against Fury makes sense, with Fury coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in a unified title rematch in December.</p><p>Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, who promoted Dubois-Joshua and Usyk-Fury 2, said last month he could see Fury facing Joshua next.</p><p>A fight between Fury and Joshua has been talked about for years. They were expected to meet for the undisputed heavyweight title in 2021, but the matchup fizzled out after a judge in a U.S. court ruled that Deontay Wilder had the right to exercise a clause for a trilogy bout with Fury. There's been continued talk of a Fury-Joshua fight since then, but it's never come to fruition.</p><p>Joshua added that he hopes to become a three-time champion in addition to facing Fury this year.</p><p>The Englishman also reflected on his fifth-round loss to Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London.</p><p>"It makes me more hungry," Joshua said. "It makes me want to work harder. Because time is of the essence. Time is limited. So I just want to put in more work. 2024, when I look back, I believe I could've done more. And now I have another chance in 2025 to do more. I'm gonna make sure that I take every opportunity that comes my way."</p>

Anthony Joshua (left) and Daniel Dubois in the IBF World Heavy weight bout at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 21, 2024.

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Joshua eyeing Fury fight in 2025: 'That's my target'

Mixed martial arts provided many memorable moments in 2024, but now it's time to look ahead to th...

<p>Mixed martial arts provided many memorable moments in 2024, but now it's time to look ahead to the new year. Here are five predictions for 2025.</p><h3>Jones retires without fighting Aspinall</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755820/cropped_GettyImages-2185189787.jpg?ts=1731826850" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755820/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185189787.jpg?ts=1731826850 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755820/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185189787.jpg?ts=1731826850 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755820/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185189787.jpg?ts=1731826850 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755820/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185189787.jpg?ts=1731826850 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755820/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185189787.jpg?ts=1731826850 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Sarah Stier / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It's been two months since Jon Jones' UFC heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden, and the division is at a standstill, as many fans expected.</p><p>Jones, an all-time great nearing the end of his career, has said he'll retire if the UFC doesn't give him a superfight against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira next. Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White - and almost the entire MMA community - wants Jones to face interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall in a long-awaited unification bout.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>As big of a blockbuster as Jones-Pereira would be, it's not the right fight to make when Magomed Ankalaev should be next in line for a shot at Pereira's 205-pound title and Aspinall has held the interim heavyweight belt for over a year. Neither the UFC nor Jones will budge on what they want, and the heavyweight champ will announce his retirement with the possibility of returning for one last dance in 2026. Because, let's be honest, MMA retirements rarely stick.</p><h3>Nunes announces return, books Harrison fight</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/526189/cropped_GettyImages-1411922912.jpg?ts=1659242016" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/526189/w220xh124_GettyImages-1411922912.jpg?ts=1659242016 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/526189/w320xh180_GettyImages-1411922912.jpg?ts=1659242016 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/526189/w640xh360_GettyImages-1411922912.jpg?ts=1659242016 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/526189/w768xh432_GettyImages-1411922912.jpg?ts=1659242016 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/526189/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1411922912.jpg?ts=1659242016 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Josh Hedges / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Many fans expect Kayla Harrison to become the UFC women's bantamweight champion in 2025. Harrison is next in line to challenge Julianna Pena for the title and will be heavily favored to win that fight. But the 135-pound division is arguably the weakest in the promotion. So, even if Harrison wins and becomes a star, then what?</p><p>Enter Amanda Nunes.</p><p>The GOAT of women's MMA walked away from the sport as the champion in 2023, but the idea of a megafight against her former American Top Team teammate has always loomed. Nunes appeared to tease a comeback after Pena regained the title in October, and UFC CEO Dana White said he'd love to see "The Lioness" back in the Octagon.</p><p>Nunes has nothing to prove as a former two-time champion and future Hall of Famer. But at the same time, it feels like Harrison is the one person missing from her resume. That could be tempting enough for Nunes to announce she's coming out of retirement for a massive showdown against Harrison in early 2026.</p><h3>UFC signs TV rights deals with ESPN and a streaming service</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754847/cropped_GettyImages-1246675379.jpg?ts=1731358933" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754847/w220xh124_GettyImages-1246675379.jpg?ts=1731358933 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754847/w320xh180_GettyImages-1246675379.jpg?ts=1731358933 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754847/w640xh360_GettyImages-1246675379.jpg?ts=1731358933 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754847/w768xh432_GettyImages-1246675379.jpg?ts=1731358933 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754847/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1246675379.jpg?ts=1731358933 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The UFC's media rights deal with ESPN expires in 2025, and the world is eager to see who lands the next multi-billion dollar contract.</p><p>The broadcasting landscape is changing rapidly, with streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix acquiring rights for major sports like the NFL, NBA, and NHL in an attempt to break into the market. Traditionally, TV networks have held a stronghold on the industry, but this could be the start of a major shift in how fans consume live sports. The UFC would be wise to follow suit.</p><p>The UFC will stick with ESPN as its primary U.S. broadcast partner, and pay-per-view events will remain exclusive to ESPN+. However, the promotion will also sign a deal with a streaming company and divvy up Fight Night cards between that platform and ESPN. Netflix seems to make the most sense, with the WWE - owned by the UFC's parent company, TKO - striking a huge deal with Netflix in 2024.</p><h3>UFC pencils in Makhachev-Holloway lightweight title bout</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631237/cropped_GettyImages-2155672065.jpg?ts=1717358171" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631237/w220xh124_GettyImages-2155672065.jpg?ts=1717358171 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631237/w320xh180_GettyImages-2155672065.jpg?ts=1717358171 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631237/w640xh360_GettyImages-2155672065.jpg?ts=1717358171 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631237/w768xh432_GettyImages-2155672065.jpg?ts=1717358171 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631237/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2155672065.jpg?ts=1717358171 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway said after losing to Ilia Topuria in October that he planned to compete at lightweight moving forward. Holloway owns a win over the UFC's No. 3-ranked lightweight, Justin Gaethje (and not just any win, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3172274" href="https://thescore.com/news/3172274">theScore's Knockout of the Year</a> and one of the most shocking moments in UFC history), so he's already well on his way to title contention.</p><p>After lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defends his belt against Arman Tsarukyan later in January at UFC 311, Charles Oliveira will be the only contender left who deserves a title shot. If Holloway can get back in the win column in the meantime, a fight between him and Makhachev will be what everyone wants to see by the end of 2025.</p><h3>'Pitbull' challenges for UFC featherweight title</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621648/cropped_GettyImages-2097712838.jpg?ts=1711147354" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621648/w220xh124_GettyImages-2097712838.jpg?ts=1711147354 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621648/w320xh180_GettyImages-2097712838.jpg?ts=1711147354 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621648/w640xh360_GettyImages-2097712838.jpg?ts=1711147354 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621648/w768xh432_GettyImages-2097712838.jpg?ts=1711147354 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/621648/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2097712838.jpg?ts=1711147354 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">David Fitzgerald / Sportsfile / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Wait a second. That "Pitbull"? The current Bellator featherweight champion? Challenging for a ... UFC title?</p><p>You got it.</p><p>Patricio Freire is one of several fighters to have spoken out in recent weeks against the PFL, which owns Bellator, over a lack of fights. Freire, who stepped into the cage just once in 2024, even requested his release from the promotion and said he wants to continue building his legacy in the UFC.</p><p>The PFL doesn't seem interested in letting Freire go, but it'll eventually realize it's the best thing for both parties. There's no point in keeping a disgruntled fighter under contract, especially if you can hardly afford him.</p><p>Once Freire inks a deal with the UFC, Dana White and Co. will give the Brazilian an immediate title shot just like they did with former Rizin FF star Kai Asakura. For one, Topuria will have likely defended his belt already in 2025 against either Alexander Volkanovski or Diego Lopes, and he'll be well on his way to clearing out the division. And second, is anyone really saying no to a Topuria-Freire fight? Didn't think so.</p>

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5 MMA predictions for 2025

A featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal is in the works for UFC Fight Night ...

<p>A featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal is in the works for UFC Fight Night on Feb. 15 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, sources told <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/12/ufc-news-calvin-kattar-vs-youssef-zalal">MMA Junkie's Nolan King</a>.</p><p>Kattar is looking to get back on track from a three-fight skid. The No. 10-ranked featherweight contender is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300 in April. Kattar's last win came against Giga Chikadze in January 2022.</p><p>Zalal has been on a tear since beginning his second stint in the UFC earlier in 2024, winning three straight fights inside the distance. The 28-year-old's impressive campaign was highlighted by submissions of Jack Shore and Billy Quarantillo.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The UFC initially released Zalal in 2022 after he went 3-3-1. He put together a 3-0 record outside the promotion to earn a call back to the Octagon.</p><p>A middleweight bout between Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues will headline the UFC's Feb. 15 event.</p><p> </p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 15: Calvin Kattar prepares to fight Giga Chikadze of Georgia in their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on January 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Report: Kattar-Zalal targeted for UFC's Feb. 15 event

Fighters across the UFC, PFL, and beyond treated MMA fans to many knockouts throughout 2024, but ...

<p>Fighters across the UFC, PFL, and beyond treated MMA fans to many knockouts throughout 2024, but - as always - some stood out from the rest.</p><p>Here are theScore's top five knockouts of the year.</p><h3>5. Shara Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC 308<br><strong>Date: </strong>Oct. 26</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It's not often we see something new in a sport that's been around for 31 years. Shara "Bullet" Magomedov's double spinning backfist, though? Yeah, that was a new one.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">UFC 308 is currently delivering. The incredible double backfist KO of Armen Petrosyan by Shara Bullet Magomedov deserves a bonus. Beautiful thing. <a href="https://t.co/mqtSOjfIrw">pic.twitter.com/mqtSOjfIrw</a></p>— PAM (@ParamPam1990) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParamPam1990/status/1850247787671130147?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>4. Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC Paris<br><strong>Date: </strong>Sept. 28</p><p>This was the perfect example of things escalating quickly in a fight. To the average viewer, Ziam was simply controlling Frevola in the clinch, content to ride out the final minutes of a fight he was dominating. But then, boom, perfectly timed knee to the noggin, and suddenly Frevola was taking a nap on the ground. This was - without hesitation - one of the most shocking, creative, and underrated knockouts of the year.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">OH MY GOD FARES ZIAM PUT FREVOLA OUT COLD WITH THE KNEE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCParis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCParis</a> <a href="https://t.co/jHjUOCYiAU">pic.twitter.com/jHjUOCYiAU</a></p>— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpinninBackfist/status/1840114585136742548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>3. Ilia Topuria def. Max Holloway</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC 308<br><strong>Date: </strong>Oct. 26</p><p>Two months after Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the UFC featherweight title, he vowed to also knock out Holloway, another former champ. It sounded like a lofty goal considering Holloway had never been knocked out and had one of the best chins in the sport's history. But, uh, maybe Topuria is a prophet or something, because he did exactly what he promised.</p><p>Topuria's speed in the pocket proved to be too much for Holloway when they met for the 145-pound title at UFC 308, with a devastating left hand putting him down for good.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC308?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC308</a> TOPURIA BECOMES THE FIRST MAN TO KNOCK OUT MAX HOLLOWAY AAAAAAHHHH <a href="https://t.co/KMSkoNnorP">pic.twitter.com/KMSkoNnorP</a></p>— Eldragonair (@elmanity) <a href="https://twitter.com/elmanity/status/1850278661460733987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>2. Vinicius Oliveira def. Benardo Sopaj</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev<br><strong>Date: </strong>March 2</p><p>Style points, style points, style points. That's what Knockout of the Year is all about, right? Because Oliveira deserves them all. He literally ran across the Octagon, jumped up, and drilled Sopaj in the face with a knee, sending him to the land of wind and ghosts. If that isn't vicious, then nothing is.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Albanian debutant Benardo Sopaj gets his memories forcibly removed from his skull by Vinicius Oliveira. <a href="https://t.co/87HimEt48f">pic.twitter.com/87HimEt48f</a></p>— SlavTrapgod (@PUNISHEDSTG) <a href="https://twitter.com/PUNISHEDSTG/status/1764040119798186166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>1. Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC 300<br><strong>Date: </strong>April 13</p><p>Holloway locked up Knockout of the Year honors eight months ago, and there was nothing anybody could do about it.</p><p>His buzzer-beating, last-second finish of Gaethje on the biggest card of the year wasn't just the best knockout of 2024; it was one of the most shocking, legendary, and memorable moments in UFC history.</p><p>Dana White called it "the ultimate holy shit moment of all time."</p><p>With 10 seconds left in the fight, Holloway was comfortably ahead of Gaethje on the scorecards and could have gotten on his bicycle for a decision win. Instead, he took the riskiest path to victory: Holloway pointed at the ground, welcoming Gaethje to the center of the Octagon, and all hell broke loose. Holloway got the better of the wild exchange, capturing the BMF title and delivering a highlight that'll stand the test of time.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Is This The Greatest Knockout Of All Time?!<br><br>Max proved he was the BMF, he pointed at the middle of the octagon with everything to lose and threw down! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC300?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC300</a> <a href="https://t.co/UmqStn535Z">pic.twitter.com/UmqStn535Z</a></p>— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufcontnt/status/1779509920179630521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: (R-L) Max Holloway punches Justin Gaethje in the BMF championship fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Top 5 MMA knockouts of 2024

Fighters across the UFC, PFL, and beyond treated MMA fans to entertaining matchups in 2024, but -...

<p>Fighters across the UFC, PFL, and beyond treated MMA fans to entertaining matchups in 2024, but - as always - some were better than the rest.</p><p>Here are theScore's top five fights of the year.</p><h3>5. Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC 302<br><strong>Date: </strong>June 1</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Few thought Poirier had much chance of dethroning Makhachev in their lightweight title bout, but "The Diamond" gave the Dagestani a run for his money: He kept the fight on the feet for long stretches and stopped 11 of Makhachev's 16 takedown attempts. He landed hard punches and opened up a cut above Makhachev's left eyebrow in the fourth round of the fairly competitive fight.</p><p>But Makhachev - the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC - was still too much for Poirier. He put a stamp on yet another impressive performance by tapping out the former interim champion with a D'Arce choke in the fifth round.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Submission of the Year:<br>Makhachev vs Poirier<br><br>After an extremely competitive battle between the two, Islam Makhachev finally finds a D’arce choke on Dustin Poirier and cements himself as a true champion. Pushing through the adversity and showing the world what he is made of🇷🇺 <a href="https://t.co/Vvera7M11f">pic.twitter.com/Vvera7M11f</a></p>— SockxMMA🇦🇺 (@SockxFN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SockxFN/status/1868687978941534323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>4. Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC 299<br><strong>Date: </strong>March 9</p><p>Less than three months before Poirier challenged Makhachev for the 155-pound title, he delivered another Fight of the Year candidate against Saint Denis - but, that time, he finished in the winner's circle.</p><p>Saint Denis nearly claimed the victory, putting the pressure on Poirier and tagging him with hard punches in Round 1 before smothering him on the ground in Round 2.</p><p>But Poirier rallied like the durable and tough fighter he is. He escaped the dangerous position on the mat and then floored Saint Denis with a right hook to cap the back-and-forth fight and earn one of the most devastating knockouts of his career. It served as a reminder of Poirier's status as one of the sport's top lightweights.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dustin Poirier lands a ridiculous right hook for the second-round KO! Benoit Saint Denis is a marvel offensively but he's got serious defensive gaps. It bit him tonight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC299?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC299</a> <a href="https://t.co/goZ0EbRsGz">pic.twitter.com/goZ0EbRsGz</a></p>— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shak_Fu/status/1766697552035098649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>3. Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC 308<br><strong>Date: </strong>Oct. 26</p><p>No one will ever question Rebecki's and Orolbai's hearts after they delivered one of the bloodiest, most gruesome fights of the year.</p><p>Orolbai had a massive hematoma on his face for much of the fight after taking some early punishment from Rebecki, but the Kyrgyzstan native returned the favor by opening up a cut on Rebecki's face that was gushing blood by the end of the second round.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762097/cropped_GettyImages-2181207380.jpg?ts=1735062565" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762097/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181207380.jpg?ts=1735062565 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762097/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181207380.jpg?ts=1735062565 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762097/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181207380.jpg?ts=1735062565 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762097/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181207380.jpg?ts=1735062565 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762097/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181207380.jpg?ts=1735062565 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Rebecki dropped Orolbai with a left hand less than a minute into the third, and UFC color commentator Paul Felder was convinced the fight was over.</p><p>"That's it!" he said.</p><p>Nope. Orolbai survived and even got on top of Rebecki in the final two minutes. But in the end, the judges awarded Rebecki a split-decision victory.</p><h3>2. Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira<br><strong>Date: </strong>Oct. 12</p><p>The main-event flyweight bout between Royval and Taira had a bit of everything.</p><p>Royval dominated the striking, Taira dominated the grappling and, as a result, the fans got a competitive fight that had a bunch of momentum shifts and was way more entertaining than it should've been.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762098/cropped_GettyImages-2178155830.jpg?ts=1735062702" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762098/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178155830.jpg?ts=1735062702 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762098/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178155830.jpg?ts=1735062702 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762098/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178155830.jpg?ts=1735062702 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762098/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178155830.jpg?ts=1735062702 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762098/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178155830.jpg?ts=1735062702 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>In the third round alone, Royval rocked Taira with a big left hand and Taira wrapped up a rear-naked choke that might've finished the fight had time not expired.</p><p>Royval secured a decision victory by outworking Taira in a winner-takes-all fifth round, handing the 24-year-old Japanese prospect his first career loss and capping an impressive 2024 campaign.</p><h3>1. Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber</h3><p><strong>Event: </strong>UFC 306<br><strong>Date: </strong>Sept. 14</p><p>This was the definition of a good ol' fashioned slugfest.</p><p>Ribovics and Zellhuber aren't huge names and the stakes weren't particularly high (this matchup, like many others, was overshadowed by its location, Sphere in Las Vegas). But the pair put everything and then some into this fight - you'd think they were fighting for $10 million and a gold belt.</p><p>Ribovics and Zellhuber set a high pace and put on a striking clinic in the first 10 minutes, but Round 3 - arguably the best of the year - is when this fight came alive.</p><p>Both men came out guns blazing, and Zellhuber dropped Ribovics with an elbow in its first minute. Moments later, though, Ribovics wobbled Zellhuber with an overhand right and nearly finished him with a flurry of punches. Zellhuber did everything he could to survive and managed to stay upright, but UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik seemed to doubt he could claw his way back into the fight.</p><p>"I'm not sure Zellhuber knows exactly where he is," Anik said.</p><p>Against all odds, Zellhuber landed some heavy punches with his back against the wall - literally and figuratively - to hang on. The two traded blows until the final horn and received a standing ovation, prompting Anik to exclaim "The Sphere is alive!"</p><p>It sure was.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fight of the Year?!<br><br>Esteban Ribovics vs Daniel Zellhuber was INSANE 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/mnznWiIXVh">pic.twitter.com/mnznWiIXVh</a></p>— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) <a href="https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/1871600906598220192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Esteban Ribovics of Argentina punches Daniel Zellhuber of Mexico during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Top 5 MMA fights of 2024

Another year has come and gone, and so have tons of fights in the UFC, PFL, and beyond.  Below, w...

<p>Another year has come and gone, and so have tons of fights in the UFC, PFL, and beyond.</p><p>Below, we rank the five mixed martial artists who made the biggest splash in 2024.</p><h3>5. Diego Lopes</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/cropped_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w220xh124_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w320xh180_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w640xh360_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w768xh432_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Lopes was arguably the newcomer of 2023, and he's now arguably the breakthrough fighter of 2024. The surging featherweight started this year unranked and will finish it as the No. 3 contender, no more than one victory away from a title shot. Lopes impressed with a first-round TKO of Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300 and then earned decisions over Dan Ige and Brian Ortega, the latter of whom is a former title challenger, to cement himself as one of the best in the world at 145 pounds.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>4. Merab Dvalishvili</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756908/cropped_GettyImages-2172059475.jpg?ts=1732383369" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756908/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172059475.jpg?ts=1732383369 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756908/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172059475.jpg?ts=1732383369 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756908/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172059475.jpg?ts=1732383369 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756908/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172059475.jpg?ts=1732383369 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756908/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172059475.jpg?ts=1732383369 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Long considered the dark horse of the bantamweight division, Dvalishvili had to patiently wait for his turn to fight for the title as he knocked off contender after contender. He had to win 10 in a row and sit through Marlon Vera's disaster of a performance against Sean O'Malley before getting his hands on a title shot. But an opportunity eventually came, with the promotion unable to deny the Georgian any longer. After taking out Henry Cejudo in February, Dvalishvili dominated O'Malley in the UFC's debut at Sphere in September, flattening him with takedowns and ending the "Suga" era. It took a while, but Dvalishvili finally got to prove he was the best 135-pound fighter on the planet.</p><h3>3. Dricus Du Plessis</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741652/cropped_GettyImages-2167223197.jpg?ts=1724013614" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741652/w220xh124_GettyImages-2167223197.jpg?ts=1724013614 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741652/w320xh180_GettyImages-2167223197.jpg?ts=1724013614 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741652/w640xh360_GettyImages-2167223197.jpg?ts=1724013614 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741652/w768xh432_GettyImages-2167223197.jpg?ts=1724013614 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741652/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2167223197.jpg?ts=1724013614 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Paul Kane / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Du Plessis didn't enter the UFC as a surefire future champion, but he's well on his way to becoming one of the greatest middleweights of this generation after two massive victories in 2024. Du Plessis took the 185-pound throne away from Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January, eking out a split decision to remain undefeated in the Octagon at 7-0. The South African followed that up with a hard-fought submission win over former two-time champ Israel Adesanya in September, leaving no doubt he's the guy to beat at 185 pounds.</p><h3>2. Alex Pereira</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/cropped_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748781/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177025982.jpg?ts=1728247541 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Fighter of the Year has been a two-man race since October - and it's Pereira who finishes just shy of the trophy at No. 2. However, the UFC light heavyweight champion's 2024 campaign will indeed be remembered for years to come - and he was the biggest story of the year by a mile. Pereira defended his title three times in seven months, knocking out Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. Two of those wins were over former champions. "Poatan" also saved multiple cards, headlining UFC 300 on relatively short notice and stepping in on two weeks' notice for UFC 303. Pereira is one of the biggest stars in MMA, and that's largely thanks to these last 12 months.</p><h3>1. Ilia Topuria</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/cropped_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751845/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181234156.jpg?ts=1729977028 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Topuria's wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway is one of the most impressive one-two punches we've seen, and it'll go unmatched for a long time. Topuria not only beat two of the three greatest featherweights of all time, but he knocked them out in decisive fashion (while both were still in their prime or at least close). Topuria ended Volkanovski's four-year reign and became the new UFC featherweight champion in February, and then he became the first to knock out Holloway in October. Volkanovski and Holloway had been the two best fighters at 145 pounds since 2019, and Topuria beat them both in nine months. The magnitude of those victories is almost incomprehensible, making the Georgian-Spaniard the right choice for Fighter of the Year.</p><p><em>Honorable mentions: Joaquin Buckley, Dakota Ditcheva, Carlos Prates</em></p>

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26:Ilia Topuria of Spain prepares to face Max Holloway in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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Top 5 MMA fighters of 2024

Oleksandr Usyk cemented himself as boxing's top heavyweight as he beat Tyson Fury for the second ...

<p>Oleksandr Usyk cemented himself as boxing's top heavyweight as he beat Tyson Fury for the second time.</p><p>Usyk defeated Fury via unanimous decision in their highly anticipated rematch to retain the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</p><p>All three judges scored the fight 116-112 in Usyk's favor.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Usyk was too quick and sharp for Fury as the Ukrainian defended his unified crown for the first time since a split-decision victory over "The Gypsy King" in a May undisputed title bout. Usyk won the rematch more decisively than the first fight, thriving in the second half of the match and outstriking Fury 179-144 in total punches.</p><p>"It's a great fighter. It's a great opponent," Usyk said of Fury afterward. "It's a great 24 rounds. Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much."</p><p>Fury left the ring and did not conduct a postfight interview, though he <a href="https://x.com/SkySportsBoxing/status/1870617647790141924">said</a> backstage he thought he won "by at least three rounds." Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, called the scoring "nuts" and said he was "really disappointed."</p><p>"I don't get it," Warren said. "But is what it is, and we'll have to see what happens in the future for Tyson."</p><p>IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois went into the ring to confront Usyk after the fight. Dubois, who's scheduled to defend his title against Joseph Parker on Feb. 22 in Riyadh, said he wants a rematch with Usyk after he faces Parker. Dubois suffered a ninth-round knockout loss to Usyk in August 2023 in a fight for the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles.</p><p>"I want my revenge, Usyk," Dubois said to him. "Well done tonight. ... Let's go. Make it happen."</p><p>Usyk asked Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, to book a rematch with Dubois.</p><p>"Next fight, no problem," Usyk said of potentially facing Dubois again if he beats Parker. "Now, I'm gonna go home and have a rest. But I'm ready."</p><p>Usyk and Fury were very competitive in the first half of the rematch. In fact, Fury was ahead 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47 after five rounds. But Usyk took six of the last seven rounds on two judges' scorecards - and all seven on the third judge's scorecard - to secure the decision.</p><p>Usyk stayed busier and landed the more impactful punches throughout the bout. He snapped Fury's head back in the fourth round and landed several hard lefts in the 12th. Usyk connected with solid shots to the body and did a good job of pushing Fury back against the ropes to land offense.</p><p>With the win, Usyk's professional boxing record now sits at 23-0 with 14 knockouts. The 37-year-old has been the heavyweight champion since beating Anthony Joshua in 2021; this was his fourth title defense - counting the first Fury fight - overall. Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000 by beating Fury in May but was forced to vacate the IBF title after that victory.</p><p>Fury, who suffered the first loss of his career in the first Usyk fight, falls to 34-2-1 with 24 knockouts. Fury, who forfeited the WBC belt in May, is a former two-time heavyweight champion.</p>

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 21: Oleksandr Usyk punches Tyson Fury during the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles' fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Usyk beats Fury again to retain unified heavyweight title

A pivotal flyweight fight between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape is in the works to headline UFC F...

<p>A pivotal flyweight fight between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape is in the works to headline UFC Fight Night on March 1 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, sources told <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/12/21/24326668/brandon-royval-vs-manel-kape-targeted-for-ufc-fight-night-main-event-on-march-1">MMA Fighting's Damon Martin</a>.</p><p>Contracts have reportedly not yet been issued.</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DD2ZkccP5qp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=8737ee69-1f35-4a17-b59d-26e4f55fbe81">Royval</a> and <a href="https://x.com/ManelKape/status/1870293223719219221">Kape</a> acknowledged the matchup on social media. They're ranked No. 1 and No. 6, respectively, in the 125-pound division.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Royval is coming off split-decision victories over Tatsuro Taira and former champion Brandon Moreno in back-to-back main events earlier this year. The 32-year-old is 5-1 in his past six Octagon appearances dating back to 2022, with his lone loss in that stretch coming in a December 2023 title fight with current champ Alexandre Pantoja.</p><p>Kape put on a show at the final UFC event of the year last Saturday in Tampa, dominating Bruno Silva en route to a third-round TKO. The 31-year-old got back on track after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Muhammad Mokaev in July. Kape is also 5-1 in his past six fights.</p><p>With Royval and Kape expected to meet in March, that leaves Kai Kara-France as the likely next challenger for Pantoja, who defended his belt against Kai Asakura at UFC 310 earlier in December.</p>

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 14: Manel Kape of Angola prepares to face Bruno Silva of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on December 14, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

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Report: UFC targeting Royval-Kape for March 1 main event

One of the biggest rematches in boxing is good to go for Saturday.  Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury...

<p>One of the biggest rematches in boxing is good to go for Saturday.</p><p>Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury made weight Friday before they square off for Usyk's WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</p><p>Usyk and Fury weighed in at 226 and 281 pounds, respectively. Both fighters wore full clothing on the scales, with Fury donning a thick leather jacket.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE GYPSY KING HITS THE SCALE ⚖️<a href="https://twitter.com/Tyson_Fury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tyson_Fury</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UsykFury2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UsykFury2</a> <a href="https://t.co/bxHWmbouD7">pic.twitter.com/bxHWmbouD7</a></p>— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/trboxing/status/1870188226058592434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Usyk defeated Fury by split decision in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000. The rematch was made official less than a month later. Usyk was later stripped of the IBF title, but the Ukrainian still holds three of the four major belts and is one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world.</p><p>Fury returns to the ring following the first loss of his decorated career. "The Gypsy King" will enter with a 34-1-1 record, while Usyk is a perfect 22-0 as a professional.</p>

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 20: Tyson Fury 2 weighs in during the weigh-in as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 on December 20, 2024 in Riyadh, .

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Usyk, Fury make weight ahead of rematch

Colby Covington disagrees with the doctor's stoppage in his loss to Joaquin Buckley last weekend ...

<p>Colby Covington disagrees with the doctor's stoppage in his loss to Joaquin Buckley last weekend at UFC Tampa.</p><p>The former interim welterweight champion lost the main-event bout via third-round TKO after the cageside doctor recommended that referee Dan Miragliotta end the fight due to a cut on Covington's right eyelid.</p><p>"Dude, that was a bullshit stoppage," Covington said Wednesday on his Twitch channel, according to <a href="https://x.com/HappyPunch/status/1869519932192673835/video/1">Happy Punch</a>. "Let's be honest. I was still in the fight. I was getting takedowns. (Buckley) was getting slower. None of his punches did any significant damage like drop me or hurt me."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>He added: "Let me go out on my shield, though. It's a bullshit stoppage. Fake stoppage. Another f-----g cheat job."</p><p>Covington stepped in slightly less than a month's notice for UFC Tampa, replacing Ian Machado Garry, who was removed from a matchup against Buckley to compete at UFC 310 a week earlier. It was Covington's first fight since December 2023 and his second straight loss.</p><p>Covington, 36, has fallen out of the title picture at 170 pounds, now sitting at No. 9 in the rankings. A former three-time title challenger, Covington is 1-3 in his last four Octagon appearances and holds just one victory in the past four years.</p><p>"Chaos," however, remains confident that he'll turn his career around.</p><p>"I want to prove people wrong," Covington said.</p>

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 14: Colby Covington looks on against Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on December 14, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

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Covington contests UFC Tampa stoppage: 'Let me go out on my shield'

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