Predicting the UFC Champions for 2025

Usman v Chimaev//Zuffa LLC

Flyweight (125): Alexandre Pantoja

• After a statement victory over the dangerous Kai Asakura, Alexandre Pantoja cements himself as the best flyweight in the world. You can also make the claim that he is the 2nd greatest flyweight to ever compete in MMA history. Depending on matchups and how things go next year for the flyweight division, I can’t see him losing his title in 2025.

Bantamweight (135): Umar Nurmagomedov

• Umar Nurmagomedov is the most diverse fighter in the bantamweight division right now. He faces off against a wrestling heavy style opponent in Merab Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili is a very dangerous opponent because of his relentless wrestling. This is also his downfall in this fight. Due to his wrestling heavy style he doesn’t have the striking of Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov also has phenomenal takedown defense and great wrestling.

Featherweight (145): Ilia Topuria

• After coming off the greatest back to back wins in UFC history, I see nothing but great things for “El Matador.” Although he has hinted at a move to lightweight, I highly doubt he goes up after the success he has obtained at Featherweight.

Lightweight (155): Islam Makhachev

• The most skilled champion that we have in the UFC is named Islam Makhachev and there is nobody in the lightweight division that can replicate what he does. Makhachev however faces a highly skilled opponent in Arman Tsarukyan next month. It will definitely be a test for Islam but nothing Islam hasn’t seen.

Welterweight (170): Shavkat Rakhmonov 

• One of the changes that I can see happening is Shavkat Rakhmonov dethroning current Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. I can see this happening because of how many ways Rakhmonov can win. He can do nearly anything you ask of him and has finished 18/19 fights he has been in. Against a guy like Rakhmonov, just hearing the final bell feels like a moral victory.

Middleweight (185): Khamzat Chimaev

• The most controversial change of champions so far is the infamous Khamzat Chimaev. After the first round submission of Robert Whittaker, it left no question for me that nobody can mess with the ground game of Chimaev. I believe that he will take the throne from current Middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis or even the contending Sean Strickland due to his pace and wrestling.

Light-Heavyweight (205): Magomed Ankalaev

• Alex Pereira’s worst stylistic matchup will finally come to place in 2025. There is no other matchup to make besides this one and if we don’t see this next year a lot of fans will have something to say. I believe wrestling will prevail against a guy like Alex Pereira and this is due to the fact that he has not faced an opponent with any wrestling experience. When Pereira has faced an opponent who tries to take them down, they have been extremely successful in that field. This is why I believe he will beat Alex Pereira.

Heavyweight (265): Tom Aspinall:

• The most important fight that will happen next year will be Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones. There is not a single fight that makes more sense than this one. This fight should’ve happened last year but Jon Jones wanted to face off against Stipe Miocic. I believe that when these two faceoff Tom Aspinall will get it done quite fast. There has not been an opponent that Jon Jones has faced that resembles the fighter Tom Aspinall is. A natural heavyweight, with lightning quick hands, and hammers for hands. A lot of questions will be answered when these two face off.