UFC 2025: the definitive title recap — every “AND NEW”, every “AND STILL”, and the championship fights already set for 2026

UFC 2025: the definitive title recap — every “AND NEW”, every “AND STILL”, and the championship fights already set for 2026

With all UFC events of 2025 officially completed, the organization closes one of the most transformative championship years in modern MMA history. Multiple divisions saw belts change hands, dominant reigns end, and new stars rise to the top.

This article delivers a verified, division-by-division retrospective, covering:

  • Who started 2025 as champion

  • Who ended the year holding the belt

  • Where we heard “and new”

  • Where champions stood firm with “and still”

  • And which title fights are already confirmed for 2026

🏆 UFC Championship Recap — 2025 (Division by Division)

Heavyweight (120 kg) — AND NEW (by transition)

Champion at the start of 2025: Jon Jones
End-of-year champion: Tom Aspinall

After Jon Jones officially stepped away from competition, Tom Aspinall was elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion, closing the long interim era and resetting the division.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • First undisputed title defense already expected

  • Heavyweight division fully reopened

Light Heavyweight (93 kg) — AND NEW

Champion at the start of 2025: Magomed Ankalaev
End-of-year champion: Alex Pereira

In one of the year’s biggest moments, Alex Pereira reclaimed the light heavyweight title, reinforcing his status as one of the UFC’s most dangerous champions across divisions.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • Immediate rematch highly likely

  • Title picture stacked with elite contenders

Middleweight (84 kg) — AND NEW

Champion at the start of 2025: Dricus Du Plessis
End-of-year champion: Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev fulfilled years of hype by capturing UFC gold, overpowering Du Plessis and ushering in a new era at 185 lbs.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • First title defense already targeted

  • Possible superfight discussions ongoing

Welterweight (77 kg) — AND NEW

Champion at the start of 2025: Leon Edwards
End-of-year champion: Islam Makhachev

At UFC 322, Islam Makhachev became a two-division champion, defeating Jack Della Maddalena and redefining the welterweight hierarchy.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • First welterweight defense expected early in the year

  • Potential legacy-defining matchups ahead

Lightweight (70 kg) — AND NEW

Champion at the start of 2025: Islam Makhachev
End-of-year champion: Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria continued his meteoric rise by capturing the lightweight title, becoming one of the youngest champions in division history.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • High-profile first defense expected

  • Massive PPV potential

Featherweight (66 kg) — AND NEW

Champion at the start of 2025: Ilia Topuria
End-of-year champion: Alexander Volkanovski

In a historic comeback, Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed the featherweight belt, proving that experience and adaptation still matter at the elite level.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • Championship rematch already discussed

  • New contenders emerging fast

Bantamweight (61 kg) — AND NEW

Champion at the start of 2025: Merab Dvalishvili
End-of-year champion: Petr Yan

Petr Yan regained the bantamweight title, marking one of the most technical championship runs of the year.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • High-level striker vs wrestler matchups ahead

  • Division remains ultra-competitive

Flyweight (57 kg) — AND NEW

Champion at the start of 2025: Alexandre Pantoja
End-of-year champion: Joshua Van

The youngest champion on the roster, Joshua Van shocked the division, ending Pantoja’s reign and redefining the flyweight landscape.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • First title defense already locked

  • New generation taking over

👑 Women’s Divisions — 2025 Recap

Women’s Bantamweight — AND NEW

End-of-year champion: Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison dominated her path to gold, capturing the bantamweight title and instantly becoming one of the UFC’s biggest stars.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • Mega fight vs Amanda Nunes officially scheduled

Women’s Flyweight — AND STILL

Champion: Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina closed 2025 as champion once again, reinforcing her place among the greatest female fighters in MMA history.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • Title defense already announced

  • Legacy-defining stretch continues

Women’s Strawweight — AND NEW

End-of-year champion: Mackenzie Dern

In a historic all-Brazilian title fight, Mackenzie Dern captured the vacant strawweight belt, completing a long-awaited championship journey.

🔮 2026 outlook:

  • First defense scheduled early in the year

  • Division wide open

✅ UFC Champions at the End of 2025 (Official List)

  • Heavyweight: Tom Aspinall

  • Light Heavyweight: Alex Pereira

  • Middleweight: Khamzat Chimaev

  • Welterweight: Islam Makhachev

  • Lightweight: Ilia Topuria

  • Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski

  • Bantamweight: Petr Yan

  • Flyweight: Joshua Van

  • Women’s Bantamweight: Kayla Harrison

  • Women’s Flyweight: Valentina Shevchenko

  • Women’s Strawweight: Mackenzie Dern

🔮 Confirmed UFC Title Fights for 2026

UFC 324 (January 2026)

  • Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett — Interim Lightweight Title

  • Kayla Harrison (c) vs Amanda Nunes — Women’s Bantamweight Title

UFC 325 (January 2026)

  • Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs Diego Lopes II — Featherweight Title

Only officially announced title fights are listed above.

What 2025 told us about modern MMA

  • Championships change hands faster than ever

  • Complete fighters dominate specialists

  • Wrestling, cage control, and cardio decide belts

  • Youth and adaptability are now essential

UFC 2025 was a true reset year. Champions fell, new rulers emerged, and divisions reshaped overnight. With multiple title fights already locked for early 2026, the next season is set to begin at full throttle.

In modern MMA, one truth remains:

The belt never belongs to anyone — it only waits for the next mistake.

💬 Which “AND NEW” moment shocked you the most in 2025?
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