Sidekick Ranks: Top 5 UFC Fights Booked So Far

UFC is set to end its three-week hiatus and the wait is worth it. The promotion has lined up several impressive cards in January and February. There will be two pay-per-views, UFC 311 and UFC 312 each feature two title fights, plus Israel Adesanya competes in his first non-title fight in six years.

The first pay-per-view of the year already has a case for being one of the best cards of 2025. The promotion debuts at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California with an itinerary worthy of having every main card bout on this list. That said, let’s take a look at the best 5 fights announced so far for 2025. (Not in any particular order)

#5 Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 (UFC 311)

Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan is the best lightweight fight you can make. Makhachev can set a new record for most lightweight title defenses, breaking the record he shares with his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov and others. Tsarukyan earned his title shot with a workhorse mentality, winning nine of his 10 fights after losing a competitive decision to Makhachev in his UFC debut. You won’t find better quality matchup than this.

#4 Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (UFC 311)

UFC 311’s co-main event is nearly as good as the headliner. Merab Dvalishvili and Unar Nurmagomedov are two of the most dominant bantamweight forces. There is curiosity about how Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure pairs with Nurmagomedov’s well-roundness. It’s a tough first title defense for Dvalishvili, but the outcome could forecast who will be the bantamweight champion for several years.

#3 Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill (UFC 311)

Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill cannot be boring in any way. The former light heavyweight champions lost shine after being knocked out by Alex Pereira, but they are still among the promotion’s top light heavyweight athletes. All but one of Prochazka’s 36 fights have ended via stoppage. Hill’s avoided the judges in six of his last seven fights. You should be on high alert for a knockout when the bell rings.

#2 Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano (UFC 311)

Rounding out the promotion’s 311 celebration is Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano. It’s an interesting clash of two late-stage lightweights trending in opposite directions. Moicano, 35, is on the best winning streak of his UFC career. Dariush, also 35, reinvented himself with eight wins in four years but let a title shot slip out of his hands after two KO losses in 2023. This fight’s winner could be within striking distance of their first title shot.

#1 Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov (Fight Night)

Israel Adesanya will compete on a UFC Fight Night card for the first time since 2018. It’s jarring to see the former middleweight champion in this position. Adesanya tests the rising contender Imavov after Adesanya’s consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. It’s the perfect chance for Adesanya to find his footing or for a new title challenger to emerge.