2024 had some big fights and big moments. But what about 2025? What dream matchup would be a PPV sweep-stake and win over fans like no other? Is it Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall? Or is it Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev that ticks the boxes? Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman have opposing views on it.
Aspinall has been adamant about title unification ever since and made a rare defense of his strap. The lure of unbeaten GOAT “Bones” meeting his possible match makes it the biggest fight. Dana White says so; as does Usman. However, Ilia Topuria chasing dual-champ status against the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Islam Makhachev is just another kind of high.
I personally believe that [Makhachev vs. Topuria] could potentially be bigger than Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, …Competitively, of course, man. It’s not just that – it’s the simple fact that Ilia Topuria has a chance to become champ-champ…The heavyweight division, we’ll just know who’s the real undisputed champion. But in this position, if Ilia does win, that puts him in a category of, f*ck, you beat the former pound-for-pound and current…
Henry Cejudo via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
Henry Cejudo promotes that Jones is already a double champion. But if Ilia Topuria could take on reigning UFC 155-pound champ Makhachev, it’s more than just that. “El Matador” would’ve then boasted domination over a past top UFC pound-for-pound (Alexander Volkanovski) and the current best.
There’s also the fact that skill-to-skill, Islam Makhchev showcases true P4P worth. He knocked out Volk with a shin kick to the temple. He submitted submissions specialist Charles Oliveria and outboxed boxer Dustin Poirier. Ilia Topuria is a crisp boxer and also touts BJJ prowess; so it’d be a highly technical showing. “Triple C” also got some recent advice on his own run in 2025.
Khabib Nurmagomedov chalks out 125-pound title run for former champ Henry Cejudo in 2025
Former UFC double-champion Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is on a bad bender against wrestlers at bantamweight. “Triple C” has been teasing a move down to 125, but it’d be a rigorous and disciplinary journey. Luckily, Khabib Nurmagomedov has some pointers.
Henry Cejudo gets 2025 advice food himself as well (Source: express.co.uk)The big issue in his eyes? The expiry date on the 37-year-old Cejudo’s career run. Henry Cejudo is eyeing that Alexandre Pantoja fight at flyweight in 2025. Brandon Royval is also open to welcoming him back to the division.
Both Royval and Pantoja think that Cejudo is too advanced of an age to make the weight again. Nurmagomedov cautions him for it but also states it’d be a good opportunity since Pantoja has cleared the division and there’s no other option.
We have to recognize real things, …Like if I talk about yourself, I think you’re old for this sport. But if I’m promoter, I try to make Pantoja fight with you because there is nobody else. There is nobody else. Cejudo vs. Pantoja is gonna be big name. Bring somebody old with big name, make them fight…But people underestimate Olympic champions
Khabib Nurmagomedov pre-fight camp FULL SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW with Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudoTripleC)
Henry Cejudo recently lost to now-champ Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298. Nurmagomedov points out that other contenders often underestimate the rigor Olympians can go through and bounce back. He advised him to keep a frequent lineup of fights incoming. The ‘Eagle’ also teased International Fight Week at 125 for the title as the next hurdle.
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