UFC Year in Review: The Best of 2025

In a sport as exciting as MMA, there will always be fantastic moments, and 2025 was no exception. Looking back over what was a rollercoaster

year for the UFC, let’s dig deep into the best fight, fighters, and finishes of 2025.

Best Fight: Brandon Royval vs. Joshua Van

No. 1-ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval was set to face Manel Kape at UFC 317 in June, but after Kape pulled out with an injury, Joshua Van stepped in.

He made the most of the opportunity.

Over three furiously paced rounds, Van went straight at Royval, who was the 24-year-old’s best opponent to date. But Royal gave nearly just as good in return, and by the end of the fight, the two combatants had landed a record-breaking 419 significant strikes. The action was enough to leave UFC fans’ jaws on the floor.

Each man rode momentum swings at various points, adding to the intrigue and excitement. Heading into the bout’s final minute, the outcome appeared in doubt. Then came a knockdown by Van in the final seconds that sealed the victory for the Burmese combatant.

Van followed up the unforgettable win by taking the UFC flyweight belt off of Alexandre Pantoja in December. For Van, becoming champion was a capstone on a remarkable 2025.

Best Men’s Fighter: Merab Dvalishvili

Some observers have criticized this Georgian grappler for having a boring style. After Dvalishvili’s unprecedented 2025, it’s fair to say those critiques have been silenced.

Not only did “The Machine” make a record-breaking four title defenses in 2025. He delivered a captivating performance each time.

Dvalishvili opened the year with a Fight of the Year contender in which he handled previously undefeated Russian contender Umar Nurmagomedov. In June, he was responsible for Sean O’Malley’s first submission loss, delivering it via a rarely attempted north-south choke that was a contender for the year’s best submission. And at UFC 320 in October, he took apart perennial contender Cory Sandhagen for the Georgian’s third successful defense in 10 months.

Unfortunately for Dvalishvili, he couldn’t keep the streak going in his December bout against rival Petr Yan. Whether the loss was due to fatigue or Yan having a better gameplan will have to be sorted out in a third contest between the two men. However, given what the 34-year-old achieved over the first 10 months of the year, no UFC fan would hold the decision loss against him. Indeed, The Machine’s boldly scheduled 2025 has only won him more fans, as well as strengthened his status as perhaps the best bantamweight ever.

Best Women’s Fighter: Valentina Shevchenko

While the UFC women’s division went largely dark over 2025, with fewest fights since 2018, Valentina Shevchenko was a notable bright spot. The flyweight champion fought twice, each time taking on a high-level opponent and each time delivering a statement win.

In May, Shevchenko stepped into the cage with Manon “The Beast” Fiorot, who was on a 12-fight win streak. Fiorot acquitted herself well, but in the championship rounds, “Bullet” pulled away to score a unanimous victory.

What some observers believed would be an even greater challenge came in Shevchenko’s next bout, against former strawweight champion Zhang Weili. Zhang was moving up in weight to challenge Shevchenko for her title, and with oddsmakers having the challenger at even money, many believed Zhang would take the title.

Shevchenko had other ideas. Removing all doubt that she’s pound-for-pound the best women’s fighter today, Bullet dominated Zhang, who never even looked competitive. After a quiet couple of years, 2025 was the year that saw Shevchenko reestablish her greatness.

Best Knockout: Mauricio Ruffy on King Green

King Green never saw it coming.

Midway through the first round of this UFC 313 content, “Fighting Nerds” member Mauricio Ruffy executed a picture-perfect spinning wheel-kick that separated Green from his senses. The kick itself was a masterfully delivered, but the way Ruffy cleverly and deceptively feinted himself into position made the execution all the more impressive.

Once the kick landed, Green fell back onto the fence, then slid along it before slumping onto the mat. Ruffy stood over him, admiring his work. The moment, as UFC often is, was brutal and beautiful all at once.

Best Submission: Jean Silva on Bryce Mitchell

Another member of the Fighting Nerds team turned in the best submission of the year—one that was executed on an opponent in Bryce Mitchell who some UFC observers wanted to see pay after he made controversial comments on a podcast episode.

They certainly got their wish.

While standing near the fence, Silva, one of the sport’s most aggressive fighters, locked in an incredibly clean chokehold, then twisted the American to the ground. Mitchell tapped out, but the choke was so tight that he went to sleep before the referee could bring an end to the contest. The Fighting Nerds started the year off poorly, suffering their first losses, but with Silva’s performance, it’s clear the São Paulo team still has plenty to say.