Double Champ UFC Fights in 2025

[BOTTICELLI]

Which one/ones will it be ?

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Possible Champ v Champ fights

DDP vs Pereira
Pereira vs Jones / Aspinall
Islam vs Shavkat
Islam vs Topuria
Topuria vs Merab
Merab vs Pantoja
Valentina vs Weili

The few I would love to watch

1. Pereira vs Jones / Aspinall
2. Islam vs Shavkat
3. Islam vs Topuria

 

[JustOnce]

I feel like all of these are going to be a squash match for the bigger guy.

In the history of MMA, to date, the only guy in my opinion who went up a weight class and beat the legitimate number 1 guy in a weight class above, so far is BJ Penn.

BJ in his prime was a special, special fighter. There's a reason why it hasn't been done again in 20 plus years, and looking at the guys potentially going up a weight class, as good as they may be, I don't think they will pull it off.

The only potential match up would be Islam moving up a weight class to fight Belal or Shavkat. But if Belal wins, it won't happen, and if Shavkat wins, I think Shavkat will run him over. If he struggled against Poirier, imagine against Shavkat? I can see him beating Belal but he won't fight the guy.

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

I think merab vs pantoja and Islam vs Shavkat/Belal winner is most likely to happen, DDP has to fight khamzat and imavov before fighting alex if he beats ank

 

[KO Shotz]

The most likely ones would be Islam vs Ilia & Pantoja vs Merab

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

Which one/ones will it be ?

Merab is too strong for 125 and 135, he should go up to 145, his run is good enough for a second TS.

 

[agibmxmma]

Pantoja vs Merab is realistic. Illia would have to lose the belt and go to 145 for Merab to move up.. along with Sterling being nowhere near a title shot. But Merab vs Volk could be interesting. Though I'd like to see Umar move up to 145 and fight Volk.

Illia vs Islam is realistic. Belal would have to lose the belt or move up 185, for Islam to move up and fight for the 170 belt. But Islam vs Shavkat, Leon, JDM, Brady, Usman and Covington are interesting. Though I'd like to see Usman vs Whittaker and Covington vs Strickland, both at 185. I do not think Shavkat beats Belal, and I don't see Islam getting an immediate title shot at 185, coming direct from 155.. but there is a rumored Whittaker vs Islam matchup, which would be very interesting if true. I do not think Illia beats Islam, and he has 2 fights on deck at 145 currently, along with the UFC possibly signing AJ McKee, Aaron Pico and/or Mix.. who all could fight at 145 for various reasons if signed.

DDP vs Alex isn't realistic in 2025. DDP still has 3 more fights at least at 185, which if 2 of the 3 happen this year, then that's 3 fights for him in one year as a Champ. Alex has Anakalaev next, plus the possible winner of Jan vs Olberg after, and then the possibility the UFC signs Nemkov who returns to 205.. which would be Alex's next possible three fights. Not to mention a possible Alex vs Aspinal or Alex vs Jones, at HW fight. Though I don't think Alex gets past Ankalaev in March, and I don't think DDP beats Khamzat next.

 

[Mmmmmmma1234]

If Alex takes care of business next month they've gotta do Pereira vs Jones.

 

[Ginja_Ninja]

Can we get back to champs moving up to fight contenders.

If you want to be a double champ you should first have to prove you can fight 3-4 times in a year and in both divisions.

 

[RockyLockridge]

honestly I only see illa vs islam as competitive

 

[fedorthegoat777]

Alex vs Jon is the most interesting to Mr. Jon says he wants it.

 

[kellier]

I feel like all of these are going to be a squash match for the bigger guy.

In the history of MMA, to date, the only guy in my opinion who went up a weight class and beat the legitimate number 1 guy in a weight class above, so far is BJ Penn.

BJ in his prime was a special, special fighter. There's a reason why it hasn't been done again in 20 plus years, and looking at the guys potentially going up a weight class, as good as they may be, I don't think they will pull it off.

The only potential match up would be Islam moving up a weight class to fight Belal or Shavkat. But if Belal wins, it won't happen, and if Shavkat wins, I think Shavkat will run him over. If he struggled against Poirier, imagine against Shavkat? I can see him beating Belal but he won't fight the guy.

DC moved up and beat Stipe. Now he wasn't the lineal LHW champ, but he beat the #1 HW

 

[JustOnce]

DC moved up and beat Stipe. Now he wasn't the lineal LHW champ, but he beat the #1 HW

Cormier fought a lot more in HW. He's a guy who moved DOWN then went back up.

Nobody including Cormier knew if he could cut to LHW. He did though.

Also personally think he's a better HW than at LHW.