On March 8, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Magomed Ankalaev pulled off the upset of the year by defeating one of the most feared men in the UFC , Alex Pereira, via unanimous decision to claim the light heavyweight strap. The scorecard was controversial as many thought that ‘Poatan’ had done enough to retain his title after doing enough in rounds 1, 3 and 5. The judges saw things the other way, and the UFC has a nwe 205lb king.
The card wasn’t just about that main event, though—Justin Gaethje’s slugfest with Rafael Fiziev, Mauricio Ruffy’s jaw-dropping KO of King Green, and Amanda Lemos’ gritty win over Iasmin Lucindo all contributed to a great card in Sin City. Now, five days later, the MMA Herd crew is still buzzing, and the question on everyone’s lips is: what fights to book next for the UFC in 2025?
We’ve cooked up five killer fights to potnetially book after the conclusion of UFC 313. Grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s break down the matchups that could define the Octagon for the rest of the year.
The Rematch Debate: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev 2
Okay, let’s talk about it—should Pereira and Ankalaev run it back? Ankalaev was suprosingly effective with his striking against Poatan, landing 137 significant strikes to Pereira’s 78 (per ESPN stats) and shutting down the KO artist’s game plan. But Pereira’s fanbase is screaming for a rematch, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s been a cash cow for the UFC—three title defenses before 313, each a highlight-reel finish—and his loss wasn’t a blowout KO that kills momentum. On the flip side, Ankalaev earned that belt fair and square—why risk it on a guy he just beat? Dana White suggested we could see a rematch with comments he made in the post-fight press conference. What do you think, will we see it later this year?
Justin Gaethje Vs. Islam Makhachev
Gaethje’s UFC run reads like a highlight reel with a side of grit. Since joining the promotion in 2017, he’s racked up a 9-5 record, but those numbers don’t tell the full story. His losses have come against elite competition—Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier—and even in defeat, he’s never been an easy out. His wins, though? Absolute barnburners. Knockouts over Tony Ferguson (to claim the interim belt), Edson Barboza, and points wins over Michael Chandler and Rafael Fiziev showcase his devastating power and unrelenting pressure.
A recent knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024 shouldn’t derail his case. Sure, it was for the ceremonial BMF title, not a lightweight contender bout, but Gaethje went out on his shield in the fifth round, trading bombs with one of the best strikers in MMA history. A single loss outside the lightweight title picture doesn’t erase years of great fights at 155.
Let’s break down the division. Makhachev sits atop the throne after defending his belt against Renato Moicano recently, and Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June 2024. Charles Oliveira, fresh off a win over to Michael Chandler, is still in the mix but probably needs another win to reclaim his spot as number one contender. Tsarukyan, who beat Oliveira, is a strong contender, but his methodical style doesn’t ignite the same excitement as Gaethje’s chaos.
At 36 years old, Gaethje isn’t getting any younger, but he’s still in his prime. His durability, cardio, and power remain elite, and waiting too long risks letting one of the division’s most exciting fighters slip through the cracks. The UFC has a chance to capitalize on his momentum now— he’s still a hot commodity. Booking him against Makhachev in late 2025 could headline a massive card, especially if paired with a stacked undercard.
Ruffy’s Rise: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Bryce Mitchell
If you slept on Mauricio Ruffy vs. King Green at UFC 313, wake up. The 26-year-old Brazilian landed a spinning wheel kick that sent Green to the shadow realm, and the clip’s still racking up views on X. Ruffy’s officially a problem, and the UFC needs to test him against a name, especially as his record is now an impressive 12-1. Bryce Mitchell—“Thug Nasty” himself—is the guy. Mitchell’s grappling is world-class, with a twister submission that’d make your grandma tap out, and his down-home charm keeps fans invested. Ruffy’s striking vs. Mitchell’s ground game is a recipe for fireworks—either Ruffy’s hype train keeps rolling, or Mitchell drags him into deep waters. Ruffy’s star is rising—can he shine against the controversial ‘Thug Nasty.’
Strawweight Showdown: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba 2
Amanda Lemos is back in the strawweight mix after outlasting Iasmin Lucindo at UFC 313. The Brazilian brawler’s power and heart put her one win away from a title shot, and Virna Jandiroba could be the perfect foil. Jandiroba’s a submission wizard—her armbar game is tighter than a drum—and she’s been quietly climbing the ranks. Lemos’ knockout threat vs. Jandiroba’s ground control sets up a classic striker-grappler showdown, and Lemos might be keen on gaining redemption for her submission loss to Jandiroba last year. With Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili still looming, this could crown the next contender by late 2025. Women’s MMA is heating up, and this fight deserves a spot on a big card—say, UFC 317 in October. Who punches (or taps) their ticket to the top?
Ankalaev’s First Test: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jiří Procházka
Magomed Ankalaev is your new light heavyweight champ, and boy, did he earn it. At UFC 313, he neutralized Pereira’s vaunted left hook with suffocating wrestling and crisp boxing, walking away with a 49-46 score on one of the judges scorecards. Critics who called him boring have to reassess—this guy’s the real deal. Now, it’s time for his first title defense, and aside from a rematch with Pereira, Jiří Procházka’s name jumps off the page. The Czech samurai’s been itching to reclaim the belt he lost to injury and Pereira’s fists in 2023-2024. Procházka’s wild, unorthodox striking—as unpredictable as a spinning backfist in traffic—could give Ankalaev fits, while Ankalaev’s grappling might ground the former champ. This is PPV gold: a clash of styles, a clash of personalities, and a chance for Ankalaev to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder.
What do you want to see after the UFC 313 fallout? Let us know in the comments.
Stay locked on MMA Herd for the latest UFC news, fight breakdowns, and spicy takes. The 2025 ride’s just beginning—buckle up.
Discussion about this post