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All sport requires an ignition to get it blazing, and in the UFC, the flame is frequently generated by a good old-fashioned rivalry. Whether it be a contentious rematch or trash talk over the line at weigh-ins, the UFC does best when tension boils over into fighting. As we enter 2025, a number of fights are already bubbling over, not just guaranteeing fireworks inside the Octagon but a narrative that lasts far longer than fight night.
These aren’t battles—these’re grudges. They’re battles of legacy where pride and checks converge. And those are the very reasons that UFC fans around the world, from Las Vegas to Lagos to Vancouver, are already circling dates on calendars.
Where Bad Blood Boils: The Rivalries to Watch
With several divisions loaded with talent and personality, the UFC universe is never lacking drama. Yet some matchups simmer on a different level—powered by past history, conflicting styles, or outright disdain. In a year that’s already looking like one of the UFC’s most volatile to date, these are the fights everyone will be buzzing about.
As viewers dissect battle statistics and replay highlight-reel knockouts, others are busy contrasting odds and outcomes. The expansion of UFC betting in Canada has tracked the popularity of the sport, with operators like Melbet offering in-depth odds, fighter comparisons, and in-play wagers. These grudges affect more than rankings—they shift the betting lines and dominate headlines.
Here are four of the hottest UFC rivalries getting hot this year:
UFC’s Hottest Rivalries in 2025
| Rivalry | Background & Fuel | What’s at Stake |
| Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan II | Their first fight was a war, and Tsarukyan’s rise makes the rematch inevitable | Lightweight crown and personal redemption |
| Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis | Verbal jabs, canceled bouts, and clashing egos have built serious tension | Middleweight supremacy and legitimacy |
| Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria II | Heated exchanges backstage and online fueled this budding rivalry | Fan favorite pride and future title shots |
| Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez | Styles make fights, and this clash of technique vs. power has fans buzzing | Women’s strawweight hierarchy |
Each of these bouts guarantees more than just action—they deliver history, stakes, and potential career turning points. Makhachev and Tsarukyan have already once fought, but both men are noticeably better now. Strickland and Du Plessis will not quit trading verbal and physical shots. Pimblett and Topuria’s contempt has flowered into outright beef. And Suarez presents the most unconventional danger Weili has seen in years.
Why UFC Rivalries Mean More Than Ever
Fights attract fans. Rivalries build them. No sporting organization knows this better than the UFC, regularly peddling emotional storylines to elevate events beyond mere bouts to global extravaganzas. That approach is taking it to new levels this year.
In an era of ever-present content, rivalries are the tale that unifies fight cards and generates hype. They offer a purpose to tune in early, watch all the rounds, and talk about for weeks to come.
Rivalries also create permanent value beyond the cage. Fighters become legends because of rivalries—Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz, and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier, for instance. The feud, whether real or manufactured, ups the ante and cement legacy.
And it doesn’t stop when the gloves come off. Post-fight interviews, press conferences, even walkout music—all become storytelling. That’s what keeps the fanbase emotionally—and financially—engaged.
As that excitement cascades online, it also spills into broader fan engagement trends. Whether fantasy picks or side wagers during a live online casino game, fans must be more engaged with the experience. On a platform like Melbet, bettors can not just bet on the victor but delve into round-by-round outcomes, methods of victory, and even single-fight props—all while being members of live communities that mirror the energy inside the Octagon.
The Ripple Effects Outside of the Cage
When rivalries flare, they don’t just shake up titles—they redefine the whole UFC landscape. Plans in the promotion change. Undercards are rearranged. New stars emerge from co-main events once headliners are injured or suspended.
And aftershocks persist long after the final bell. A good grudge fight often results in rematches, trilogies, or new grudges against teammates or sparring partners. Rivalries spread like a tree—traveling in unexpected, yet always compelling, directions.
Just ask any UFC viewer how they became a UFC fan, and chances are even it wasn’t just a knockout—it was a feud. That is what turns a fight into a memory. What turns viewers into fans?
The UFC does not need rivalries to survive. But to thrive? They are required. As the year 2025 dawned, look for the trash talk, the tension, and the talent. Because in this game, friends are the greatest stories—and the greatest fights.
Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: Rivalries, Revenge, and Reckonings: UFC’s Hottest Fights in the Works for 2025
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