UFC 2025 Must-Haves
The UFC, the gold standard of mixed martial arts, has stood as a dynamic catalyst in the sports world for over three decades. Each year, Dana White & Co. find thrilling new ways to keep us glued to our screens and furiously debating in group chats. But as the octagon barrels toward 2025, some undeniable opportunities are hanging ripe for the sport’s taking. Let’s not be satisfied with the “same old” anymore. The evolution of the UFC has been nothing short of breathtaking, but it’s time to address the agenda for the not-so-distant future. Here are three absolute must-haves that the UFCand we fansdeserve by 2025.
#1: A Women’s Featherweight Roster… Or Let the Division Go
The women’s featherweight division has lingered in a baffling state of limbo since its inception. Sure, Amanda Nunes dominated the weight class before her retirement, but let’s be honest, the competition was so sparse that most of her title defenses felt more like formality than a clash of titans. It’s essentially a division without a roster. As of now, it’s hardly a division at all.
The UFC needs to make a choice: Either fully commit to this group of exceptional athletes or cut it loose entirely. A half-measured approach isn’t just confusing for fans; it’s disrespectful to the fighters too. The potential, however, is there. This weight class could provide a platform for larger women fighters to showcase their skills without the drastic weight cuts we see in smaller divisions.
“We’ve got women out there who could become true stars if given opportunities to perform. The future is only bright if we let it be,” a long-time UFC coach recently commented.
If Dana White is serious about developing women’s MMA across all divisions, giving featherweights actual contracts and match-ups in 2025 isn’t optionalit’s mandatory. Alternatively, putting it on ice might also be the cold, necessary truth.
#2: A 165-Pound Weight Class to End the “Tweener” Turmoil
It’s probably the most heavily debated topic in MMA organizational circles: the creation of a 165-pound weight class. Let’s face it, the gap between lightweight (155 lbs) and welterweight (170 lbs) is far too wide, resulting in legitimate “tweener” talent being forced to either cut enormous amounts of weight or face bigger and naturally heavier opponents. Just look at guys like Kevin Lee back in the day or perennial “tweener” Dustin Poirier teetering on what the ideal fit should be.
- How many potential superfights are we missing because there isn’t a middle ground?
- How uncomfortable are these current weight cuts for fighters operating just outside their natural frame?
- And finally, how many future stars aren’t being properly showcased due to illogical divisions?
Creating this weight class wouldn’t just make sense; it fits seamlessly into UFC’s larger business model. A 165-pound belt provides yet another marquee title to market, another target for budding superstars, and a fresh playground for veteran contenders stuck bouncing between existing divisions. With a stacked talent pool across 155 and 170, having a middle child weight class by 2025 feels less like an ambitious wish and more like overdue housekeeping.
The fans are asking for it. The fighters are demanding it. It’s time to make it happen.
#3: A Cross-Promotion Superfight That Shakes the Sport
Let’s throw out the “we keep everything in-house” attitude and dare to dream big. The NFL doesn’t play against CFL teams. The Premier League doesn’t mix with Serie A rosters. And yet, in combat sports, cross-promotion fights are the stuff of legend. The 2021 Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder trilogy spotlighted the monumental success of co-promoted events in boxing. Why not bring some of that energy into MMA?
Imagine this: UFC vs. Bellator. Or even bolder: UFC sending one of its elites to clash against a top dog in ONE Championship in a bid to secure international supremacy. By 2025, we could get superfights that redefine what MMA can befor fans, fighters, and promoters alike. Sure, it would take massive egos and even bigger contracts to pull off, but it’s not impossible.
“A one-off superfight between champions? That could break records,” said an insider close to the UFC hierarchy recently.
Here are the potential outcomes of such a cross-promotion:
- UFC solidifies its dominance over the MMA industry.
- Fans finally get answers to “what if?” matchups that have haunted them for years.
- Fighters reap the financial rewards that come with marquee billing on unprecedented fight nights.
The only thing standing in the way of this dream is the UFC’s notorious wariness of sharing its spotlight. But the truth is, no amount of pride should outweigh the star power generated by a lights-out superfight. By 2025, let’s hope Dana White is willing to shoot for the moon.
Final Bell: Time to Level Up
The UFC has always been at the forefront of combat sports, constantly pushing boundaries and setting benchmarks. But in the high-stakes arena of global athletics, complacency is a killer. From beefing up women’s featherweight, to establishing a new, much-needed weight class, to organizing game-changing cross-promotion fights, the moves aren’t just about improving the brand or pleasing fansthey’re about evolving the sport itself to its highest potential.
If 2025 is to be a banner year for the UFC, these must-haves should go from ideas to reality. The octagon has always been a stage for the bold and daring. Now it’s time for the organization to follow suit. Because good isn’t enough anymorewe’re all here for spectacular.
