Man, 2025 has been one of those years where the UFC matchmakers basically decided to stop playing it safe. If you’ve been following the octagon lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The schedule for upcoming UFC fights 2025 didn't just fill out—it exploded. We’re currently looking at a landscape where the old guard is desperately trying to keep their spots while a group of absolute savages is kicking the door down.
Honestly, it's a bit chaotic.
We saw Alex Pereira—the man who seemingly never sleeps—headlining massive cards in the first half of the year, while the lightweight division turned into a total shark tank. Remember when everyone thought the Makhachev era was untouchable? That narrative got way more complicated as the months rolled on.
The Big Ones: Upcoming UFC Fights 2025 We Can't Stop Talking About
If you’re looking for the absolute "must-watch" stuff, the back half of this year is where things get real. The UFC is leaning heavily into these massive international cards.
Take UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25. That’s been the date circled on everyone’s calendar for months. Tom Aspinall is set to defend that heavyweight status against Ciryl Gane, and let’s be real, that’s a legacy fight. Aspinall has been moving like a middleweight with the power of a semi-truck, and Gane is... well, he's the most technical puzzle in the division.
Then you’ve got UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden on November 15. The Garden always feels different. This time, we’re looking at Jack Della Maddalena finally getting his crack at the welterweight throne against Islam Makhachev, who’s been hunting for that second belt after cleaning out 155.
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- UFC 323 (Dec 6): Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2. This is personal. Merab's cardio is basically a glitch in the simulation, and Yan is looking for revenge after their first lopsided meeting.
- UFC Fight Night (Nov 22): Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker in Qatar. This is a classic "gatekeeper vs. elite contender" matchup that usually ends in a bloody mess.
It’s not just the title fights, though. It’s the weird, unpredictable ones. Like when Diego Lopes decided to become the busiest man in the featherweight division. The guy is fighting everyone, everywhere.
The McGregor vs. Chandler Ghost
I can’t write about upcoming UFC fights 2025 without mentioning the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Irishman who isn't in the room. Conor McGregor.
Michael Chandler has the patience of a saint. Seriously. He’s been waiting since the middle of 2023 for this fight. Every time we think it’s happening, there’s a new delay. A broken toe, a film premiere, a random Twitter rant—it’s always something.
But here’s the latest: there’s a massive rumor circulating about a June 2026 card on the White House lawn to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. While Dana White says nothing is official until February, Chandler is already acting like it’s a done deal. He recently beat Chad Mendes in a wrestling match at Real American Freestyle 3 and didn't even bother calling Conor out. Why? Because, in his words, "The fight's already happening."
Is it, though? Most fans are skeptical. At this point, McGregor is more of a mythical creature than an active fighter.
New Blood and Changing Tides
While the veterans are talking about legacy, the younger guys are just out here collecting checks and heads. Joshua Van is the name you need to know.
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The kid from Houston started 2025 outside the top 15. By June, he had stepped in on three weeks' notice to beat Brandon Royval. That one win changed his entire trajectory. Now, he’s headlining cards and looking like the future of the flyweight division.
And then there's UFC 320, where Jiri Prochazka did the most Jiri Prochazka thing ever. He got punched in the face by Khalil Rountree Jr. for ten minutes, looked like he was about to go to sleep, and then suddenly decided he was done being hit. He finished Rountree in the third round in what many are calling the comeback of the year.
What to Watch For This Winter
As we wrap up the year, keep your eyes on the flyweight and light heavyweight divisions. They are the most volatile right now.
- Alexandre Pantoja’s dominance: He’s been a machine, taking out Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France. He’s looking to close out the year with a fifth title defense.
- The Light Heavyweight Shuffle: With Pereira moving around and Prochazka lurking, the 205-pound division is wide open. Keep an eye on Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov—it’s a classic "old lion vs. young lion" scenario.
- The Return of Amanda Nunes: Yes, the GOAT is rumored to be coming back to challenge Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight strap. If that happens, it’s easily the biggest women’s fight in the history of the sport.
Making the Most of the 2025 Schedule
If you're trying to keep up with all these upcoming UFC fights 2025, you basically need a spreadsheet. The pacing is relentless.
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The best way to stay on top of it isn't just watching the main cards. Pay attention to the early prelims on the Apex shows. That’s where the next Joshua Van or Carlos Prates is hiding.
Start looking at the betting lines early. The "young hungry contender" vs. "fading veteran" matchups are where the smart money has been all year. Also, keep an eye on the location. Elevation in Denver or the humidity in Florida changes how these guys gas out in the third round.
The UFC hasn't just filled the calendar; they’ve created a gauntlet. Whether we actually see McGregor or not, the rest of the roster is more than making up for it. 2025 is the year the "new era" stopped being a marketing slogan and became a reality.
Check the local start times for those Middle East cards—they’ll sneak up on you on a Saturday morning. Make sure your ESPN+ subscription is active for the Madison Square Garden card in November, as that will likely be the highest-selling PPV of the year. Finally, watch the post-fight press conferences; that's where the next three months of fights usually get booked in real-time.