The world of mixed martial arts often feels like a relentless carousel, spinning with the rise and fall of legends. But what happens when some of the most celebrated fighters start eyeing the exit? As UFC fans gear up for another action-packed year, whispers of potential retirements in 2025 have set the MMA community abuzz.

The old guard taking their leave for the new breed to rise and dominate has been a constant theme in the world of fighting. And next year will be no different! So, could we really be witnessing the end of an era for some of the sport’s most iconic figures? Let’s find out!

Alex Pereira has done it all; 2025 could be his final year

Alex Pereira’s arrival in the UFC in 2021 was nothing short of a storm. Few could have predicted how quickly he would rise to the top, showcasing his thunderous knockout power and becoming a two-division champion. But after achieving so much in such a short time, what’s left for ‘Poatan’ to prove?

At 37, the Brazilian powerhouse is older than his peers like Jon Jones, yet he continues to defy expectations. With three successful light heavyweight title defenses under his belt, including concussive highlight reels like that stunning head-kick KO against Jiri Prochazka in their rematch, Pereira is currently at the pinnacle of his career.

However, even legends have their limits. Pereira’s meteoric rise has been matched only by the toll it’s taken on his body. While he shows no signs of slowing down, fans are beginning to wonder if 2025 could mark his swan song. After all, fighters like Pereira rarely walk away quietly, they bow out after solidifying their immortality in the sport.

Should he decide to hang up his gloves, Pereira’s legacy would be unquestionable. From his battles with Israel Adesanya to becoming a dual-division champion, Poatan has left an indelible mark on MMA. But for now, we wait with bated breath to see if the end of an era comes sooner than we think.

Justin Gaethje has hinted about his retirement

Few fighters have embodied the spirit of combat as fiercely as Justin Gaethje. Known as ‘The Highlight’ for his relentless fighting style and spectacular knockouts, Gaethje has provided fans with some of the most memorable wars in UFC history. But after years of grueling battles, could 2025 be the year he finally hangs up his gloves?

Gaethje, now 35, has hinted in interviews that the wear and tear of his career might push him toward retirement. With his recent win over Dustin Poirier via a stunning head-kick knockout at UFC 291, Gaethje added the symbolic BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title to his already illustrious resume. However, it’s important to note that Gaethje’s last fight was not a win, it was a knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, in a fight that showed the tough road ahead for the veteran.

But even with gold and glory in his corner, Gaethje has consistently emphasized his desire to prioritize health and family. Fans have speculated that his retirement could coincide with a victory in a long-anticipated title fight or a marquee bout against a top contender. Either way, his exit would leave a significant void in the lightweight division, a weight class that Gaethje has electrified since joining the UFC.

If 2025 does mark The Highlight’s farewell, he’ll leave behind a legacy defined by resilience, heart, and unrelenting aggression, a blueprint for what a warrior in MMA should be.

No new UFC adventures for Kamaru Usman?

Kamaru Usman, the #3-ranked welterweight with a 20-4 record, recently sparked some serious chatter in the MMA community with a cryptic tweet: “Time waits for no one…”

Now, that got people talking. Could the former welterweight champion really be contemplating retirement? After all, his back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards and his recent setback against Khamzat Chimaev have left his future in the sport feeling uncertain. Usman, once the king at 170lbs and one of UFC’s most dominant champions, now needs to make a decision. Add in some growing knee issues and his recent inactivity, and it’s no wonder fans are wondering if the end is near.

Usman’s knee struggles aren’t new, they’ve been a part of his story for years, dating back to his NCAA Division II wrestling days. In 2019, Joe Rogan shared on his podcast that ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was dealing with significant pain even when walking on concrete. Filmmaker Will Harris also revealed that he witnessed Usman walking backward downstairs because of knee discomfort. The toll has been real, with surgeries over the years impacting his mobility.

Despite all that, Usman remains one of the sport’s legends. Whether he decides to keep fighting or not, there’s no denying that his place as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history is secure. So, what do you think? Is it time for Usman to hang it up, or is there more left in the tank?

Valentina Shevchenko plans to fight a ‘loser retires’ battle

At 35, Valentina Shevchenko is still dominating the UFC, proudly displaying eight rubies on her flyweight belt and solidifying her place among the greatest fighters in MMA history. But her next fight could raise the stakes even higher because this one might just have a “loser retires” clause attached to it.

After reclaiming her title in a trilogy bout against Alexa Grasso at UFC 306, ‘Bullet’ turned her attention to the undefeated Manon Fiorot, the #2 flyweight contender. Fiorot has been vocal about wanting to dethrone Shevchenko and has even taunted the champion with talk of her own retirement. Well, Shevchenko didn’t hold back in her response, “You lose – you retire, deal?!! ill-mannered first-grader.”

This could be the fight that fans have been waiting for! If it goes down, it’ll be Bullet’s first opponent other than Grasso since 2022. Fiorot with her 12-1 record and impressive victories, has certainly earned a title shot. But let’s be real, she’s got a mountain to climb against the reigning champ, whose skill and experience are second to none.

The Peruvian native, known for staying away from online drama, rarely engages in social media feuds. However, Fiorot’s taunts seem to have struck a nerve. Whether or not Shevchenko will retire shortly, her impact on women’s MMA is undeniable.

Stephen Thompson might be well past his prime

At 41 years old, Stephen Thompson is still a fan favorite, but his recent performances have some wondering if his best days are behind him. Once a top contender in the welterweight division, Wonderboy’s journey has been a bit bumpier lately, as he’s faced setbacks that have dropped him down the rankings.

His last fight? A submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 followed by a KO loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307. While he’s not talking about retirement just yet, Thompson himself has acknowledged that his career goals might be shifting. In a recent interview, he shared, “I want to beat the record of being the oldest guy in the UFC… I feel like I can do this as long as my body will let me, and my Dad says I’m done.”

So here’s the big question, Will Thompson’s dream of UFC gold still become a reality, or is his focus now more on longevity in the sport? He’s still passionate, but how long can he keep fighting at this level? As we look ahead to 2025, the prospect of losing some of the sport’s most beloved fighters is bittersweet.

From Alex Pereira’s dominant reign to Stephen Thompson’s graceful aging in the sport, each fighter brings something unique to the cage. But retirements are inevitable, and they remind us to appreciate these athletes while they’re still here. So, as these legends contemplate their futures, the only thing we can do as fans is savor every moment they give us. Who do you think will bow out in 2025? And more importantly, are you ready for it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!