UFC 311 has wrapped up but fans are still talking about the stunning moments that the first numbered event of 2025 delivered. From jaw-dropping finishes to dominant performances, the night has left fans hungry to see what the next big fight that the biggest MMA promotion in the world would offer. With so much momentum following the event, UFC CEO Dana White has an excellent opportunity to schedule some blockbuster fights that might define the future of many divisions.

But who will be the ones in the big bouts, and will there be titles on the line? Well, that’s a question that will be plaguing fight fans. So fret not, as we will tell you five fights that surely must be in the mind of Dana White after 2025’s first PPV.

Reinier de Ridder vs. Paulo Costa

Reinier de Ridder announced himself to the world on his UFC PPV debut with a stunning submission victory over Kevin Holland last week. In the bout that kicked off the show’s main card, de Ridder went up to 2-0 inside the Octagon, submitting Holland in the first round without breaking a sweat. The Dutchman, a former two-division champion in ONE Championship, has effortlessly transitioned to the UFC, confirming that his grappling abilities are exceptional regardless of the MMA promotion.

With his promotional debut victory over Gerald Meerschaert during the co-main event of UFC Vegas 99, the Dutchman has achieved thirteen of his victories by way of submission. As a result, de Ridder wasted no time calling out top names like Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev during his post-fight press conference. While such matchups sound appealing, it may be too early for ‘The Dutch Knight’ to make such a significant jump up the rankings. A fight versus Paulo Costa would be a more natural next step while still offering an interesting challenge for the Dutchman.

Costa’s explosive striking and raw physicality make him one of the top opponents to go against in the middleweight division. However, de Ridder’s world-class grappling would challenge the Brazilian to dig deep and put his takedown defense to the test. A fight between these two fighters would be more than just a typical striker-versus-grappler battle, as the winner would surely establish themselves as a serious contender at 185lbs.

Jailton Almeida vs. Ciryl Gane

Jailton Almeida continued his rise in the heavyweight division of the Dana White-led promotion with a fight worth remembering. Defeating Serghei Spivac in the opening round, Almeida’s unusual combination of speed, athleticism, and grappling was on full display for all to see, proving why he is one of the most dangerous heavyweights on the roster.

To make things even more exciting for fight fans, following his victory, Almeida expressed his desire to face former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. Trust us when we tell you that this fight makes complete sense! Almeida’s grappling-heavy style would be an exciting challenge for ‘Bon Gamin,’ whose exceptional hitting and movement have already perplexed opponents. Gane’s weakness against wrestlers was exposed in his title fight versus Jon Jones, making Almeida yet another major challenge.

For ‘Malhadinho’, this fight would be an opportunity to prove he’s ready to fight for the heavyweight throne. As for the French fighter, it would be a chance to prove that his ground game is no longer as weak as others would like to believe. With both fighters aiming for a title shot, this fight can be no less than a title eliminator.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

Umar Nurmagomedov may have fallen short against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311, but there is no way that he can be taken lightly in the bantamweight division. After all, it was just his first MMA loss, and Nurmagomedov possesses all the necessary attributes to become a future champion. But who would be his next challenge? Well, a fight against former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo would be an excellent opportunity to determine his future plans.

Figueiredo, who recently moved to bantamweight, is keen on proving himself in his new weight class. The Brazilian fighter is known for his relentless striking and submission techniques. So, he can be a formidable challenge to ‘Young Eagle’. However, The Dagestani’s wrestling skills and ability to control the tempo of a fight may cancel out Figueiredo’s explosiveness. But despite this, it is a clash of styles that will surely excite fight fans.

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2

Merab Dvalishvili confirmed his dominance over the bantamweight division by defending his throne against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. With no clear fighters remaining in the division, a rematch with Sean O’Malley could be the most important fight of all. After all, the two had previously competed in a fight that received a lot of flak. So, maybe it is time to make things right.

While the Georgian’s relentless pace and grappling outmatched O’Malley the last time, the same cannot be said about the rematch. This time around, ‘Suga’ would be expected to be much stronger and better with his takedown defense. Add to that his elite striking, and we have the perfect combination to challenge someone like ‘The Machine.’

So, a second fight between these two would not only settle the score but also answer the doubts fans and critics have about O’Malley’s ability to handle elite wrestlers. As for the Georgian, it’s a chance to prove once again that he is invincible and there is no stopping him now.

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria

The lightweight kingpin maintained his dominance at UFC 311, leaving fans wondering who would challenge him next. With Arman Tsarukyan not yet in contention for a title chance, Ilia Topuria has emerged as an intriguing option to go one-on-one against Islam Makhachev. ‘El Matador,’ the reigning featherweight champion, has consistently expressed his desire to move up to 155lbs to meet Makhachev.

The Spanish-Georgian is known for his brute strength and fight IQ. So, he brings a distinct skill set to the table. As a result, he is confident that he can offer a genuine challenge to the Dagestani. For Makhachev, this fight would be an opportunity to silence critics and prove that he can handle a new crop of competitors. For Ilia Topuria, it’s an opportunity to solidify his reputation as one of the most adaptable fighters in the UFC. A champion-versus-champion showdown typically gets a lot of interest, and this one would be no exception.

However, Khabib Nurmagomedov made it clear on the ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast that the featherweight champion needs to prove himself against at least one of the top names in the upper division before fighting for the belt against Makhachev. The former champion even mentioned two competitors who could welcome Ilia to the lightweight division: Dustin Poirier and Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira. However, it would be interesting to see what Dana White decides. But for now, Topuria vs. Makhachev remains the big fight. What do you think? Is there any other fight in your mind? Let us know in the comments.