Wow, picture this: 2025 was an absolute whirlwind for combat sports fans, with a staggering 42 UFC events alongside thrilling bouts from promotions like the PFL, Dirty Boxing, and BKFC. But with so much action packed into the year, it's easy to let those wild, unforgettable moments slip from memory – from jaw-dropping knockouts to hilarious cage antics, or even the quirky post-fight chats that had everyone buzzing. Whether you're a die-hard MMA enthusiast who recalls every detail or someone who just caught the highlights, we're here to jog your memory and dive deep into the highlights. And this is the part most people miss: even in a year brimming with stars, some under-the-radar gems stole the show, challenging what we think we know about the sport.
In this second installment of our 'UFC 2025 Rewind' series, we're zooming in on the events from UFC Vegas 105 on April 5, 2025, all the way to UFC 317 on June 28, 2025. We'll revisit the epic comeback of Alexander Volkanovski securing another championship and Ilia Topuria etching his name into UFC lore as a double champion. For the full picture, check out Part One, Part Three, and Part Four of this series.
Let's kick things off with UFC Vegas 105, dubbed 'Emmett vs. Murphy,' held on April 5, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event kicked off April with a series of decisions that weren't exactly crowd-pleasers, including a particularly dull match between Torrez Finney and Robert Valentin that fans might call one of the worst in recent memory. But on the prelims, Rhys McKee turned heads with his lone UFC victory, absolutely dominating Daniel Frunza. (Spoiler: McKee was later released from the UFC, and for those new to MMA, releases happen when fighters don't meet expectations or get injured, often marking the end of a brief stint.)
Moving on to UFC 314, 'Volkanovski vs. Lopes,' on April 12, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Of course, Alexander Volkanovski's triumphant return to the Featherweight title as a two-time champion is the headline grabber. But here's where it gets controversial: the moment that truly etched itself in my mind was Jean Silva's stunning submission of Bryce Mitchell with a ninja choke – a sneaky rear-naked choke that caught Mitchell off guard, putting him to sleep instantly. This was especially poignant following Silva's controversial 'Hitler fiasco' earlier in the year, where he made insensitive remarks that sparked widespread backlash. For beginners, a ninja choke is a precise grappling move where the fighter wraps their arms around the opponent's neck from behind, often leading to a quick tap-out or unconsciousness – it's like the ultimate ambush in the sport! Some argue Silva redeemed himself, while others say the incident tainted his legacy. What do you think – can one great fight erase past mistakes?
Next up, UFC Kansas City, 'Garry vs. Prates,' on April 26, 2025, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. This card had plenty of excitement, from a standout UFC debut (think of it as a fighter's big coming-out party in the octagon) to a potential Round of the Year contender – a round so thrilling it could win annual awards for its intensity. But in the co-main event, Zhang Mingyang delivered a brutal first-round thrashing to retire Anthony Smith, showcasing why experience doesn't always trump youth in MMA. And just into May, we saw one of the year's biggest upsets when Reinier de Ridder floored Bo Nickal with a vicious knee to the liver, a body shot that ended the fight swiftly and left fans questioning Nickal's toughness. For those unfamiliar, a liver shot targets a sensitive area under the ribs, causing excruciating pain and quick knockouts – it's a reminder of how one well-placed strike can change everything.
Then came UFC 315, 'Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena,' on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. This event is best remembered for Jack Della Maddalena clinching the Welterweight title, but on the prelims, Marc-Andre Barriault's elbow knockout of Bruno Silva was downright brutal – some even joked it might have cracked Silva's skull, highlighting the dangers of strikes in close quarters. To explain for newcomers: elbows are devastating weapons in MMA, often used in tight clinches to inflict heavy damage, and this one was a perfect example of raw power.
UFC Vegas 106, 'Burns vs. Morales,' on May 17, 2025, back at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, flipped the script. Michael Morales, once seen as a rising star, exploded onto the scene by demolishing Gilbert Burns in under four minutes in his debut main event – a 'coming-out party' that redefined his career trajectory. But wait, and this is the part most people miss: the event was also marred by a herpes outbreak that sidelined Rodolfo Bellato, pulling him from his co-main bout. Controversially, this incident raised questions about fighter health protocols in the UFC, sparking debates on whether the promotion prioritizes entertainment over safety. Is it fair to dock fighters for medical issues like this, or should the UFC do more to prevent such outbreaks? It's a hot topic that divides opinions.
UFC Vegas 107, 'Gamrot vs. Klein,' on May 31, 2025, at the same Apex venue, was a total disaster. The main event between Maycee Barber and Erin Blanchfield was canceled at the last minute due to Barber suffering a seizure during warm-ups – a heartbreaking turn that exposed the vulnerabilities athletes face under pressure. This low point in a challenging year for the UFC begs the question: how much can fighters endure, and when does the toll become too great? For beginners, warm-ups are crucial prep routines to get the body ready, but unexpected health scares like this remind us of the human side of combat sports.
Jumping to UFC 316, 'Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2,' on June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, Yoo Joo-sang made a flawless UFC debut by knocking out Jeka Saragih in just 28 seconds – a face-plant finish that screamed 'rookie sensation.' It's moments like these that keep fans hooked, proving that newcomers can shake up the status quo.
UFC Atlanta, 'Usman vs. Buckley,' on June 14, 2025, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, delivered what some call the biggest flop in UFC annals: Paul Craig's illegal upkick busted Rodolfo Bellato's face, leading to a dramatic 'Academy Award' reaction from Bellato as he milked the injury. But here's where it gets controversial: was this a genuine fluke, or a calculated dive to gain sympathy? Accusations of exaggerating fouls plague MMA, and this incident fueled debates on sportsmanship. Do fighters sometimes embellish to sway refs and judges, or is it all in good faith? Your thoughts could spark a lively discussion.
Over to UFC Baku, 'Hill vs. Rountree,' on June 21, 2025, at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Nazim Sadykhov and Nikolas Motta delivered a Fight of the Year nominee – a bloody, two-round war that had them beating each other senseless. For those new to the scene, these grueling slugfests show the endurance required in MMA, turning fighters into warriors in the cage.
Finally, UFC 317, 'Topuria vs. Oliveira,' on June 28, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, had multiple highlights: Ilia Topuria's ascension to two-division champion status, a potential Fight of the Year clash between Brandon Royval and Joshua Van, and Payton Talbott's comeback win. But in the prelims, Gregory Rodrigues landed a controversial extra shot after knocking out Jack Hermansson with a brutal body kick, raising eyebrows about post-KO etiquette. Controversially, some argue this was poor sportsmanship, while others say it's part of the intensity. And this is the part most people miss: such moments question the boundaries of fair play in MMA.
Stick around for Part Three of this rewind series coming soon on MMAmania.com. Meanwhile, explore UFC's upcoming events by clicking here. What was your favorite moment from these events, or do you disagree with calling some fights 'controversial'? Share your take in the comments – let's debate!
