Top 10 UFC Fights in 2025; Year in Review

2025 is officially over for the UFC, as there are no cards left on the calendar. 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for fights, as several fighters have already showcased their skills. This past year, fans were treated to highlight reel KOs, epic comebacks, and impressive submissions. With that in mind, here is our list of the best fights of 2025.

1. Joshua Van vs. Brandon Royval

MMA fans will likely agree this may have been the best fight of the year, no question. 

Joshua Van and Brandon Royval met at UFC 317, with Royval ranked as the No. 1 flyweight contender.   He was scheduled to fight Manel Kape, but when Kape was injured and pulled out, Van agreed to step in on short notice. While Van was fighting well leading up to this fight, it was the toughest opponent he’s faced.  In the end, what ensued was a dramatic, wild, three-round brawl that left fans in awe.  Van would go on to win this fight by decision and would take the flyweight title from Alexandre Pantoja in his next fight, albeit after the defending champion was injured in the opening round.  Still, his fight vs. Royval set the stage for a title and a bright 2026 for Van.

2.  Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

You know when Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. step into the octagon, you’re in for a great fight.  And these two didn’t disappoint at UFC 320 in October.  The highly anticipated fight lived up to the hype as the two knockout specialists began throwing bombs off the hop.  Roundtree looked like he may have the edge early as he landed some powerful shots on Prochazka. But Prochazka survived and was able to earn the victory with a KO in the third round, a vicious left hook.  

3.  Jack Della Maddalena vs. Belal Muhammad

When this fight was made for UFC 315, many expected either Jack Della Maddalena to win by KO or Belal Muhammad to outwrestle his way to the win.  Instead, fans were treated to a five-round, blood bath fight, with a majority of it with both fighters on their feet.  Essentially, the opposite of what many experts expected.  When it was over, Della Maddalena was crowned the new welterweight champ in a fight that immediately became a contender for Fight of the Year honors.

4. Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili II

2025 ended with a bang as the final card featured one of the best fights of the year.  Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili II lived up to the bill as Yan got revenge against Dvalishvili, who had a ridiculous four title fights in the calendar year. Yan would lose in the first fight by decision, but flipped the script in the rematch, keeping the fight standing up, and then beating Dvalishvili with punishing kickboxing skills.  But the Georgian was game, fighting back, which turned this into an exciting fight.   Don’t be surprised to see the trilogy match in 2026.

5. Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

It’s no surprise Dvalishvili makes the list again; this time, it was his first fight of 2025.  Dvalishvili was taking on a fierce fight, undefeated Russian Umar Nurmagomedov, who was a prodigy of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov. This was definitely Dvalishvili’s toughest fight, and it was but the champion outclassed the Russian, and his grappling skills were just too much.  An entertaining fight as Dvalishvili proved he can entertain fans and moved away from the moniker of a ‘boring fighter.’

6. Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier III

As soon as Dana White announced there would be a Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier III, fans knew the trilogy would be a classic.   Both fighters are considered two of the best fighters in MMA history, and this bout delivered, as everyone expected.  The two future Hall of Fame fighters went toe-to-toe in an instant five-round thriller, with both fighters landing some big strikes.

In the end, Holloway finally avenged two previous losses to Poirier, who would announce that it was his last fight ever, the perfect send-off for one of the UFC’s greats.

7. Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili

It was one of the highest-profile women’s fights of 2025, as two of the greats faced off at Madison Square Garden. Valentina Shevchenko (already a multi-division great) defended her flyweight title against former strawweight champ Zhang Weili. While Shevchenko dominated essentially start-to-finish and won a unanimous decision, the bout was significant because of the fighters’ elite resumes and the rivalry between two former champions moving weight.

8. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

Alexander Volkanovski will go down as one of the greats in UFC history.  After losing his featherweight title to Ilia Topuria, many expected him to be on the decline. And at UFC 313, the Australian took on a dangerous Diego Lopes, who had a five-fight win streak going, for the vacant title (Topuria moved to lightweight).  But that’s where Volkanovski showed he’s not over the hill just yet, showcasing what he does best.  It was one of the best fights of his career, putting the title back where it belongs, around his waist.

9. Melquizael Costa vs. Julian Erosa

When Melquizael Costa and Julian Erosa met at UFC Fight Night in May, no one expected this could be the fight of the night. But that’s exactly what happened as these two put on a show in Nevada with big punches, kicks, and elbows with a takedown thrown in.  Erosa fell behind after two rounds but tried a valiant rally in the third with knees and elbows. But in the end, Costa was able to hang on for a tight unanimous decision. Both men were sent to the hospital for a routine check-up, a trip made much easier with a $50K “Fight of the Night” bonus in hand. 

10. Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva

After his loss to Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes bounced back in a big way.  Lopes faced knockout specialist Jean Silva, who had 12 KOs in 16 wins.  Lopes could have tried to win on the mat, but instead slugged it out with the Brazilian, which led to an entertaining scrap.  He was finally able to put Silva away with a beautiful, spinning elbow KO in the second round.  This bout earned “Fight of the Night,” and Diego was also named Performer of the Night.