The second half of 2025 is officially here, and while the UFC is currently on break, its matchmakers are busy filling out events with fights. While some are very sensible, like Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev, others, like Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva, are less so.

Where Can The UFC Go Next?

Nevertheless, there are some fights that, while still unannounced, deserve to happen this year. Here are the three biggest ones that the promotion should book soon.

3) Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van

Alexandre Pantoja has been quietly carving out a reputation for himself as one of the most dominant champions in the current decade. Ever since he dethroned Brandon Moreno nearly two years ago, he has been turning away challengers in decisive fashion. Last Saturday, he completely shut down Kai Kara-France in their rematch before submitting him with a rear-naked choke.

Joshua Van, meanwhile, is something that Pantoja’s previous challengers are not: young and on a hot streak. He seized the No.1 contendership after outscoring Brandon Royval in an epic war one fight before the champion.

A fight between them is a lock to happen; the only question is when. Here is hoping that the answer to the question is this year.

2) Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Lately, Arman Tsarukyan has been the reason for the confusion surrounding the lightweight title picture. By all rights, he should be the no. 1 contender, but his highly documented weight-related withdrawal from UFC 311 has put him on Dana White’s bad side.

After claiming the title against Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria had a heated confrontation with Paddy Pimblett. With all respect to the Liverpudlian, however, he sits too low in the rankings to warrant a title shot. Granted, Dan Henderson and Steve Erceg each got a title shot despite not being in the Top 5, but it should not happen all the time.

It is time for Tsarukya to receive his due. Making weight as a backup counts as “a step in the right direction” towards rehabilitating his case, according to White. No one else is more deserving, not even Justin Gaethje.

1) Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane

During the UFC Baku post-fight presser, Dana White revealed that Jon Jones had retired and was vacating the heavyweight championship. Thus, the “interim” tag finally came off of Aspinall’s title, and the division can now look forward to a new era.

To usher in this new era, Ciryl Gane should rightfully be the first to have a crack at the throne. The Frenchman, while being on a modest two-win streak, is ranked no. 1 and presents an intriguing stylistic matchup thanks to his sharp kickboxing.

Aspinall has vowed to be an active and fighting UFC champion unlike his predecessor, and this fight will be the first step towards fulfilling that mission.