The Must-Watch UFC Fights For 2025 – Plus A Few We’d Like To See

2025 looks set to be another great year for UFC with many mouth-watering bouts to look forward to, including Pereira vs Ankalaev in March.

If we have any of the action we enjoyed in 2024 it surely will be a vintage year for the sport. After all, anyone who witnessed Dan Hooker vs Mateusz Gamrot will remember the big upset that looked to be on the cards until Hooker got the upper hand.

Or there was the sheer brutality of Esteban Ribovics vs Daniel Zellhuber which was eventually decided in Ribovics’ favour by a split decision.

If we have just one fight that’s as epic as either of these we’ll be very fortunate indeed.

The nature of the UFC schedule means that fights are only announced a couple of months in advance. And, as we’ll soon see, even announced fights can be called off without warning.

That said, here are some tantalising encounters to look forward to in March, as well as a couple of match-ups we’d dearly like to see a little later in the year.

The Must-Watch UFC Fights Including Pereira vs Ankalaev

Nasrat Haqparast vs Esteban Ribovics, UFC Fight Night 253, March 1

The Highlight of UFC Fight Night 253 was going to be the long-awaited flyweight meeting between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape. Five rounds of hectic action were anticipated, but it’s not to be. With a month to go Royval pulled out of the fight citing an unspecified injury that would have prevented him from training. It’s hoped an alternative opponent can be found for a fired-up Kape, so watch this space.

There is still a very tasty encounter between Nasrat Haqparast and Esteban Ribovics to anticipate.

The Lightweight three-round fight will see Haqparast try to add to his record of 17 wins and ten knockouts. It will also be his 13th fight in the UFC compared with the fourth for Ribovics. The stats, not to mention the UFC betting, suggest that Haqparast has the edge in this one if it comes to a knockout with a 59% record compared with 50%.

However, if it goes to the ground, the tables could be turned as Ribovics has a 36% submission rate compared with a sorry 0% for his opponent.

Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev, UFC 313, March 8

A week later we have the even more exciting prospect of a light-heavyweight title fight with Pereira vs Ankalaev. The 37-year-old Brazilian will be making his fourth defence of his title since clinching it in November 2023 by achieving a TKO over the Czech fighter Jiří Procházka. Since then he has also held off challenges from Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.

A victory here would also elevate the Brazilian fighter to No.2 in terms of all-time fight wins in the 205lb category withfive in total.

Ankalaev earned his shot at the title thanks to a victory over Aleksandar Rakić by a unanimous decision. This was his 13th successive victory, a run which included defeats of Johnny Walker, Anthony Smith and Ion Cutelaba.

Another very appealing match-up on the Pereira vs Ankalaev card is the pairing of Justin Gaethie and Dan Hooker. The former is looking to return after a disappointing loss last April to Max Holloway. The latter is on a winning streak with the already-mentioned victory over Mateusz Gamrot in addition to victories over Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles.

Molly McCann vs Istela Nunes, UFC Fight Night 255, March 22

On March 22, we will see Britain’s Molly McCann take on Brazils Istela Nunes at London’s O2 Arena in a Strawweight bout that promises to be a barnstormer. Previously fighting in the Flyweight division, this will be the third time McCann has taken on an opponent in the Strawweight category. She’s a fairly heavily backed favourite to win, but it would be a

mistake for her to underestimate Nunes who will be looking to make a point by defeating an opponent who, on paper, is a far stronger prospect.

The Wish List

We’ve also got our fingers crossed that these two fights might possibly be arranged before the year is out.

Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall would make for a fantastic swansong for Jones – although he has made noises to suggest that retirement’s still quite a way away. Aspinall would make for more than a worthy opponent as well as one who would love to have a crack at the legend.

Then there’s Ilia Topuria vs Diego Lopes which could make for the featherweight battle of all time. Topuria already has wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway behind him. Lopes would be the perfect next target.

Whether or not these take place, there’s plenty to look forward to over the coming months. So if you’re a fan of UFC, buckle up and get ready for some action that’s going to keep you on the edge of your seat.