Overview
- Multi-part retrospectives from several outlets distilled one defining moment from each of the UFC’s 42 events in 2025 and compiled consensus lists for the year’s top submissions and knockouts.
- Major championships changed hands as Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed featherweight at UFC 314, Ilia Topuria added a second divisional title at UFC 317, and Khamzat Chimaev captured middleweight gold at UFC 319, with Petr Yan regaining bantamweight and Joshua Van taking flyweight at UFC 323.
- Standout finishes repeatedly cited included Anthony Hernandez’s rear-naked choke of Roman Dolidze, Valter Walker’s record heel-hook streak, Jean Silva’s ninja choke of Bryce Mitchell, and Lerone Murphy’s spinning-elbow knockout of Aaron Pico.
- Operational twists shaped several cards, from Arman Tsarukyan’s late withdrawal that led Islam Makhachev to submit Renato Moicano at UFC 311 to fighter complaints about paint fumes in Riyadh, a last-minute seizure that canceled Barber–Blanchfield, and an NSAC replay restart preceding a sudden KO at UFC Vegas 110.
- The UFC closed its U.S. ESPN pay-per-view run in December and is finalizing its Paramount+ launch on January 24, 2026 at UFC 324, which features an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett due to Ilia Topuria’s hiatus.