UFC Analysis: Best and Worst MMA Divisions Mid-2025

In-Depth Analysis: Evaluating UFC Divisions Mid-2025

We’ve reached the first week of July 2025, marking the midpoint of the year. The UFC has presented seven pay-per-view events and fifteen Fight Night cards in eight US states and seven international countries. We have witnessed six new champions crowned (one without needing to fight), six title defenses, and countless knockouts, submissions, and decisions. However, alongside the big fights, there have also been less exciting bouts, especially in some divisions considered reliable. It is undeniable that some UFC divisions are more attractive than others. We analyze each category to assess its quality and the activity of the fighters.

Heavyweight: Qualification F

Best fight so far: Jailton Almeida defeats Serghei Spivac by knockout in the first round.Best fight to come: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane (unofficial). Inactivity in this division is attributed to Jon Jones, who, after his retirement, has stagnated the category. The title fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic was more of an exhibition. Aspinall seeks to stay active, which generates hope for the future.

Light Heavyweight: Grade B+

Best fight so far: Magomed Ankalaev defeats Alex Pereira by unanimous decision.

Best fight to come: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 (unofficial).

Surprisingly, the 205-pound division has performed well in 2025. The change of champion, with Ankalaev dethroning Pereira, was a key event. The resurgence of Dominick Reyes and the performance of Carlos Ulberg have been notable. The category is booming.

Middleweight: Grade C

Best fight so far: Roman Kopylov defeats Chris Curtis by knockout in the third round.

Best fight to come: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev (UFC 319 on August 16). The title fight at UFC 312 between Du Plessis and Sean Strickland negatively affected the rating. A different fight is expected at UFC 319, with the match between Du Plessis and Chimaev. Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker, as well as Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, also promise action.

Welterweight: Grade A

Best fight so far: Jack Della Maddalena defeats Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision.Best fight to come: Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev (unofficial). The welterweight category has been very entertaining in 2025. Despite the age of some contenders, the important fights have been exciting. The title fight between JDM and Muhammad was excellent. With Makhachev challenging for the title, the division could be the most attractive at the end of the year.

Lightweight: C- Rating

Best fight so far: Rongzhu defeats Kody Steele by unanimous decision.

Best fight to come: Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett (unofficial). The division has room for improvement. The first fight card of the year was disappointing. Improvements are expected with the return of Poirier and Holloway, as well as Topuria’s title defense.

Peso Pluma: Grade B

Best fight so far: Alexander Volkanovski defeats Diego Lopes by unanimous decision.Best fight to come: Lopes vs. Jean Silva (UFC Night on September 13th). The first semester was solid. Volkanovski regained the throne and Patricio Pitbull debuted in the UFC. The emergence of new talents is promising. The debuts of Aaron Pico and Brian Ortega are expected, in addition to the Silva vs. Lopes fight.

Men’s Bantamweight: B-Class Ranking

Best fight so far: Merab Dvalishvili defeats Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision.Best fight to come: Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen (unofficial). Dvalishvili has been the key figure in the division. The rest of the category has been less exciting. Dvalishvili is expected to fight two more times this year, with Sandhagen as a possible rival.

Men’s Flyweight: B Ranking

Best fight so far: Joshua Van defeats Brandon Royval by unanimous decision.Best fight to come: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Van (unofficial). Joshua Van has stood out. Pantoja is consolidating as a great. Moreno also deserves mention. Van will have the opportunity to become UFC champion.

UFC Analysis: Best and Worst MMA Divisions Mid-2025

Joshua Van, on the left, should be the next challenger for Alexandre Pantoja, on the right, for his flyweight title.Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Women’s Bantamweight: Ranking F

Best fight so far: Kayla Harrison defeats Julianna Peña by submission in the second round.

Best fight to come: Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes (unofficial). The division is practically non-existent in the UFC. Harrison is outstanding. Outside of it, the situation is precarious. Several fighters haven’t fought, and the fights haven’t been exciting.

Women’s Flyweight: C Ranking

Best fight so far: Jasmine Jasudavicius defeats Jessica Andrade by submission in the first round.

Best fight to come: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Natalia Silva (unofficial). There have been ups and downs in 2025. Shevchenko continues to dominate, but with less excitement. Silva seems like a promising challenger. Erin Blanchfield’s lack of appearances affected the division.

Strawweight: Grade D+

Best fight so far: Alice Ardelean defeats Rayanne dos Santos by unanimous decision.Best fight to come: Zhang Weili vs. Virna Jandiroba (unofficial). The division has contributed few fights to pay-per-view events. Zhang’s fight against Suarez was disappointing. More input from other female fighters is needed to improve the rating.