Potential MMA superfights to set up for 2025!

With 2024 soon coming to a close, we look at the potential for some highly anticipated superfights which we think have a chance of happening in 2025.

Getty images, licensed to MMAWork.com (October 2024)

5. Israel Adesanya vs. Khamzat Chimaev (Middleweight SUPERFIGHT)

While having lost some of his recent fights, Israel Adesanya is still considered by many to be among the pound-for-pound best fighters in MMA. His extremely precise striking, and ability to manage distance, have previously frustrated the wrestlers he has faced. Khamzat Chimaev, one of the most intriguing up-and-coming fighters in the UFC, is known for his solid wrestling and would represent a highly interesting match-up for the former. Recently moving up to middleweight, Chimaev's wrestling and ground-and-pound could really test Adesanya's skillset, and would represent a final elite breakthrough for the Swede.

Embedded from the UFC (October 2024)

4. Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko III (Superfight)

Although Amanda Nunes - having already secured her position as one of the most legendary women fighters in MMA - recently retired, many fans still wish to see her face Valentina Shevchenko for a third time. Their first two fights were extremely close, and Shevchenko's dominance in the flyweight division suggests that a trilogy fight could represent the perfect finale to Nunes' career. With Nunes’ two wins over Shevchenko, she arguably still has the upper hand - but that could easily change given Shevchenko’s continued development during the course of 2024, including regaining her title against Alexa Grasso.

Embedded from the UFC (October 2024)

3. Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria (Featherweight Superfight)

This fight is actually already set up for October 26, 2024, barring any injuries - MMAWork will be covering the event. With Topuria recently acquiring the featherweight title in impressive fashion, he faces a huge challenge against Max Holloway, one of the most experienced fighters in the UFC. Topuria, arguably one of the best strikers in the featherweight division, will have to contend with Holloway's general durability and high-volume approach. This fight promises to a very fast pace, and should be extremely entertaining.

Embedded from the UFC (October 2024)

2. Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler (Lightweight SUPERFight)

This one really needs no explanation. The UFC has been trying to set up this fight for quite a while, and it may be one of the most anticipated upcoming bouts in the organization. With both fighters arguably among the best strikers in the UFC - both possessing serious knockout power - this fight all but promises a finish in the early rounds. Dana White recently commented that, unfortunately, no date has been set for the fight yet, but hopefully, we will see it — along with McGregor's comeback — during 2025.

Embedded from the UFC (October 2024)

1. Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou (Heavyweight Title Fight)

For the most anticipated superfight in MMA, we have chosen Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou. Like the previous entry, this fight needs no explanation. Francis Ngannou left the UFC at the height of his career in early 2023, leaving many to wonder if we'd ever get to see a superfight between the two greatest fighters in the division. With Ngannou's recent decision to return to MMA — albeit for the time being in the PFL — fans are hopeful that we might still witness this legendary heavyweight clash before both fighters retire!

Embedded from the UFC (October 2024)