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On To the Next One | 2025 Predictions Recap Dec 28, 2025

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With 2025 being such a crazy year in the world of mixed martial arts, we felt it was important to look back at the predictions that were made heading into a memorable year for the sport.

In part one of our two-part predictions extravaganza, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look back on some of the responses they had to listener questions in regards to what 2025 was going to bring. Topics include Khamzat Chimaev's championship hopes, whether or not Nate Diaz would return to the UFC, if Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal would compete in a rematch, the UFC's TV deal, if PFL fighters and champions would find homes elsewhere, if the GFL would host any events, UFC champ-champ fights, and much more.

In addition, we will need you help for part two: Our 2026 predictions extravaganza episode. Submit your "buy or sell" questions the same way you send your matchmaking suggestions to Mike or AK on Twitter, Instagram, or email by Friday, Jan. 2 — and, please, be as creative as you'd like.

The On To the Next One 2026 Predictions Extravaganza goes live on the MMA Fighting YouTube channel on Jan. 4 at Noon ET / 9 a.m. PT.

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2025 Year-End MMA Awards Spectacular | Knockout of the Year, Submission, More; Plus, WILD Controversy Dec 25, 2025

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The MMA world will remember 2025 for a number of crazy moments and breakout stars — as well as one of the most controversial voting moments in MMA awards history.

Join the MMA Fighting staff as we look back at the biggest highs, surprises, and most unbelievable moments of 2025 in a special year-end retrospective. We’re honoring all the nights that defined a rollercoaster of a year this sport has seen in quite some time — and handing out plenty of hardware in celebration of the knockouts, submissions, fights, fighters, and breakthrough competitors who made sure 2025 was a year that will be remembered.

This year, the categories seemed tougher than ever in regards to determining a winner, along with figuring out who belonged in the top-five overall. We invite you to stick around for the final award, which features controversy like never before in the history of MMA Fighting award shows.

Check out MMA Fighting’s 2025 year-end award show above, hosted by our own Mike Heck and featuring a panel of Alexander K. Lee and Jed Meshew.

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BTL's 2025 Promotional Festivus: Grading the Best & Worst From UFC, PFL, More Dec 24, 2025

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With just a couple of days left in the year, it’s almost time to say goodbye to 2025, and hello to 2026. In the sport of MMA, there was certainly a lot to like this past year — and a lot that needs to be improved upon, from the UFC, to PFL, and beyond.

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew bring you the fourth annual BTL Promotional Festivus — where they grade the UFC for their 2025 performance, both in and out of the octagon, along with their airing of grievances for things that happened negatively throughout the course of the year.

Additionally, the duo do the same for PFL, BKFC, and give their thoughts on things they did better from the year prior, other ideas to bring into 2026, and what could be the breakout promotion in the space for the upcoming year.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Jake Paul Getting Knocked Out by Anthony Joshua Dec 23, 2025

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to Jake Paul losing to Anthony Joshua and what it means for his future. Does Paul deserve respect for just stepping into that ring to face a former heavyweight champion? What do we make of his performance? Will Paul fight again? We’ll discuss this and more on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer!

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Paul vs. Joshua Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Anthony Joshua's Jaw-Breaking Knockout Of Jake Paul Dec 20, 2025

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Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the main event of Friday's Paul vs. Joshua fight card in Miami — a result that seemed to be as close to a unanimous prediction as you'll see in combat sports. However, Paul was able to make it to the sixth round before the eventual finish that left Paul's jaw broken, and with Joshua's hand raised. Despite the win, does Joshua's legacy take any kind of hit with the fight lasting as long as it did?

Following the boxing event that streamed on Netflix, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to the card, Joshua's finish of Paul and where their stocks go, and what could be next for both fighters moving forward. Additionally, topics include grading the entire event as a whole, Anderson Silva ending the night as the star of the event with a knockout of fellow former UFC champ Tyron Woodley, and much more.

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BTL | Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, Ilia Topuria Update, Alex Pereira's UFC White House Comments Dec 18, 2025

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The UFC has wrapped things up for 2025, and now the combat sports world turns their attention to Miami and the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua heavyweight matchup in the boxing ring. With Joshua heavily favored to get the victory, what would be the result to make the event and matchmaking as successful as it can be?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses the Paul vs. Joshua matchup and event, Anderson Silva vs. Tyron Woodley, and other storylines ahead of Friday night's Netflix card. Additionally, topics may include Manel Kape's big knockout of Brandon Royval in the main event of UFC Vegas 113, UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria providing more details as to why he's taking time off from competition, Alex Pereira's latest comments on competing at the UFC White House card, Terence Crawford announcing his retirement from boxing, and much more.

Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long for the final live edition of the program for 2025.

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Fighter vs. Writer: Matt Brown Reacts to Francis Ngannou’s Comments, If Jake Paul Has Any Chance Against Anthony Joshua Dec 16, 2025

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On the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, UFC legend Matt Brown and Damon Martin react to the latest comments from Francis Ngannou addressing his future and saying he would like to fight Jon Jones on the UFC White House card. Is Ngannou regretting his decision to leave UFC or is something else at work? Plus, we’ll break down Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, a few fighters suddenly picking Paul for the upset and if the former YouTuber actually has any chance in the upcoming fight plus much more on the latest episode!

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On To the Next One: Matches to make after UFC Vegas 112 Dec 14, 2025

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Manel Kape had the chance to muscle his way into the flyweight title picture at UFC Vegas 112 and he more than took advantage of the opportunity.

It took a little over three minutes for Kape to remind everyone he’s the most dangerous knockout threat at 125 pounds as he took out Brandon Royval. Now, riding a three-fight win streak, he has his sights set on newly crowned champion Joshua Van. With a card in Van’s hometown of Houston around the corner, does it make sense to throw that together ASAP? And where does that leave presumptive No. 1 contender Tatsuro Taira?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss who Van is most likely to defend against first, who stole the show on the last UFC card of 2025, and who embarrassed themselves on the microphone. Additionally, we make future matchups for main card winners Kevin Vallejos, Cezary Olekziejczuk, Melquizael Costa, and King Green, and take matchup suggestions from the listeners.

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UFC Vegas 112 Post-Fight Show | Reaction To Manel Kape Destroying Brandon Royval, Wild Post-Fight Interview Dec 14, 2025

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Manel Kape did everything he needed to do in order to earn a UFC flyweight title shot against Joshua Van, both in the fight and on the microphone inside the octagon. But did the incredible first-round knockout victory for "Starboy" against Brandon Royval clinch his first opportunity at UFC gold, or is Tatsuro Taira ahead of him while Alexandre Pantoja heals up?

Following the final event for the UFC in 2025, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew react to UFC Vegas 112, Kape's sensational performance against a tough out in Royval, his wild post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, and his title hopes. Additionally, they discuss Kevin Vallejos' spinning back fist knockout of Giga Chikadze, Melquizael Costa's stoppage win to improve to 4-0 in 2025, the good, and the very bad heavyweight action throughout the card, and much more.

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UFC Vegas 112 Preview Show | Can Manel Kape Jump Line To Title Shot With Main Event Win? Dec 12, 2025

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The UFC's flyweight division has become even more interesting over the past week following Joshua Van's championship win over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. One week after the surprising title change, Brandon Royval faces Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 112. With Van already holding a victory over Royval this year, could Kape leapfrog his way towards a title shot if he gets the win on Saturday?

Ahead of the UFC's final card of the year, and of the ESPN era, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee preview the event, the headliner between Royval and Kape, and the stakes attached to it. Additionally, they discuss the co-main event between Giga Chikadze and Kevin Vallejos, Gillian Robertson looking to earn a title shot at 115 when she meets Amanda Lemos, the octagon debut of Yaroslav Amosov as he faces Neil Magny, and much more.