The final bell of 2025 rang in a period of unprecedented upheaval for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The past year witnessed a dramatic changing of the guard across every weight class, with a record number of new titleholders, stunning milestones, and the rapid decline of former kings and queens of the octagon.
The New Kings and Queens: Stories of Dominance
Three fighters stood above the rest in defining the year's narrative of success. Joshua Van authored one of the most remarkable underdog stories in recent memory. Starting the year ranked outside the flyweight division's Top 15, Van used a blistering high-volume striking attack and significantly improved defensive wrestling to climb the ranks and ultimately dethrone champion Alexandre Pantoja. This victory crowned him the second-youngest champion in the storied history of the UFC.
Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev further cemented his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats. After another dominant defence of his lightweight title, he moved up a weight class to challenge the formidable Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight strap. Makhachev's victory made him a rare two-division simultaneous champion, showcasing a level of skill and versatility that places him among the most complete fighters the promotion has ever seen.
Proving that veteran savvy remains invaluable, Valentina Shevchenko enjoyed a triumphant return to the top. 'The Bullet' successfully defended her flyweight championship twice, including a tactically masterful decision victory over the dangerous Zhang Weili. These wins extended her legendary championship resume, reinforcing her status as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.
The Sharp Decline of Former Champions
In stark contrast to these ascents, 2025 was a year of severe struggle for other recent titleholders. Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards found himself in a prolonged slump after losing his belt. Plagued by persistent grappling deficiencies, Edwards suffered multiple losses, creating a significant roadblock in his path back to title contention and leaving his future at the elite level in question.
A similar fate befell Dricus du Plessis in the middleweight division. Hailed as a top contender at the start of the season, du Plessis suffered a devastating and one-sided title fight loss to Khamzat Chimaev. 'Borz' completely neutralised the South African's unorthodox style through relentless wrestling control, handing du Plessis a setback that halted his momentum entirely.
Swift Turnarounds and the 2026 Landscape
The year also highlighted how quickly fortunes can reverse in the fight game. Alex Pereira stormed back to the summit of the light heavyweight division with a thunderous knockout victory over Magomed Ankalaev in their highly anticipated rematch. This instant resurgence reshaped the entire 205-pound landscape and re-established 'Poatan' as the man to beat.
As we step into 2026, the results from the previous year continue to cast a long shadow. The performances of Joshua Van, Valentina Shevchenko, and Leon Edwards will directly influence their divisions' immediate futures and the next generation of challengers. The overarching lesson of the 2025 UFC season is clear: continuous adaptation is non-negotiable for sustained success. Fighters like Van, Makhachev, and Pereira exemplified this, while the declines of Edwards and du Plessis served as a stark reminder that past glory offers no protection against a rapidly evolving sport.
