Fight Club: The top fights to watch out for in the first quarter of 2025

Fight Club: The top fights to watch out for in the first quarter of 2025

From Islam Makhachev’s rematch against Arman Tsarukyan to India’s Puja Tomar’s next fight, here are four bouts to watch out for in the first three months of the UFC calendar.  

The first numbered event of the new year boasts a stacked main card, headlined by the lightweight title fight between reigning champion Islam Makhachev of Russia and Georgia’s Arman Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan, who made his UFC debut in April 2019, has become one of the most talked about grapplers, with an impressive record of nine wins in 10 fights, including four finishes. Interestingly, life comes full circle for the surging fighter as he takes on a familiar foe. Tsarukyan’s introduction to the UFC world did not go as he would have liked. The reason? His next opponent, Makhachev.

The 28-year-old has lost just twice in his UFC career, and the first of those losses was to the very same Makhachev, who is currently on a 14-fight win streak.

It ended in a unanimous decision in favour of Makhachev, but Tsarukyan did not go down without a fight. The 15-minute contest was one of the most technical displays from both fighters. Tsarukyan had a response to every takedown that Makhachev threw at him, but it came down to the officials’ discretion, who ruled it in the Russian’s favour.

But that’s the beauty of time — it changes things. Tsarukyan has evolved by leaps and bounds to become the monster he is today. If statistics are to be taken seriously, then Makhachev might actually have a worthy opponent in Tsarukyan.  

Umar Nurmagomedov will finally get his much-deserved chance at the belt this January. Last November, he expressed his frustration with fighters not stepping forward to face him. “I’ll fight anyone the UFC offers me because I want to be the best,” he posted on X.

Fast-forward to January 2025, and not only will he step into the octagon, but he will also have a shot at the bantamweight title when he faces Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311.

Dvalishvili claimed UFC gold last September, dethroning Sean O’Malley at UFC 306. The Georgian currently rides an 11-fight win streak, with standout performances against numerous former champions, including Henry Cejudo, Jose Aldo, and Petr Yan.

The Machine faces one of his toughest tests in Nurmagomedov, who boasts an 18-0 record as a professional. Nurmagomedov is coming off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen.

The first weekend of February will feature another rematch when middleweight champion ‘Stillknocks’ Dricus du Plessis takes on former champ Sean Strickland.

Du Plessis became the division’s champion after just six fights, outlasting Strickland to clinch the title. Stillknocks started on the back foot as Strickland found his rhythm with superior range and relentless jabs.

But as the rounds progressed, du Plessis found his footing, mixing heavy jabs with occasional takedowns. Eventually, the judges were tasked with determining the final verdict, and when their scorecards were tabulated, du Plessis became the first athlete from South Africa to claim UFC gold.

Du Plessis will look to replicate his success in February and become one of the few fighters to defend the belt multiple times, while Strickland will be out for revenge to reclaim what he lost.  

After her successful foray into the UFC, India’s Puja Tomar (right) will travel to London to face fellow newcomer Shauna Bannon of Ireland.

Puja became the first Indian to win a bout in the UFC when she secured a split decision victory over Brazil’s Rayanne dos Santos in June last year. She has built a five-fight win streak, including a title defence in the Matrix Fight Night promotion.

Bannon, on the other hand, is 1-1 in her UFC journey so far. The Irishwoman was unbeaten in her career before joining the UFC, with stints in Cage Legacy and Invicta FC.

She suffered her first loss in her UFC debut against Bruna Brasil in July 2023. However, she bounced back at UFC 304 after a year’s gap, defeating Alice Ardelean for her first UFC win.