Excitement is abuzz about the heavyweight division as the UFC head honcho Dana White has given a surefire guarantee that a fan-favorite matchup is bound to happen in 2025. What exactly did Dana White say though? Well, that’s what we’re here to answer in the latest episode of MMA Roundup where we bring the latest bite-sized information happening in the MMA world from the last 24 hours.

From the much anticipated heavyweight clash, we will move on to Joaquin Buckley who despite beating Colby Covington after a three-round beatdown at the UFC Tampa main event, wasn’t happy with the doctor’s stoppage finish. Then, we will move on forward to Dana White, who laid bare his honest thoughts on Dustin Poirier’s retirement match. Finally, we will conclude our segment information about Kamaru Usman’s next fight. So, without any further ado let’s get started.

Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones banger is on the cards for 2025

Most people thought Jon Jones would retire after defending his heavyweight belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 but he unexpectedly announced that he would rather stay than hang his gloves up. This put the UFC CEO Dana White in a dilemma considering the fact that Tom Aspinall needs a title unification fight, especially since Jones put the condition of fighting Alex Pereira next or walking off into the sunset. After many weeks of deliberation since and after UFC 309, it appears that the promotion is certain that the MMA community can expect an action-packed Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight in the future.

While having a conversation with the media at the UFC Tampa post-fight press conference, Dana White was asked point-blank about the fate of the heavyweight division. The UFC CEO answered with a stern belief that the Jones vs. Aspinall fight will be “the biggest fight in heavyweight history” and it will happen “100%”.

“It’s a massive fight in the history of the company,” White said at UFC Tampa’s post-fight press conference. He further added, “Let me tell you what’s weird about that. So usually those guys say that sh*t [about not wanting the fight] behind the scenes and not publicly. Jon says that sh*t publicly but not behind the scenes. Jon is a very unique individual to deal with. From day one, I’ve been confident that Jon Jones would do that fight, right? Even before the fight, I said if he won, there’s no way Jon doesn’t do this fight.” 

With UFC 311 and UFC 312 already announced, 2025 is already looking promising enough and we just have to wait for what the UFC will throw at us. Now, let us move on to Joaquin Buckley’s comments on Colby Covington following the last UFC fight of 2024.

Joaquin Buckley is not happy with the doctor’s stoppage against Colby Covington

People asked why ‘New Mansa’ was silent all week leading up to UFC Tampa and now they got their answer. Joaquin Buckley was waiting to eradicate Colby Covington from the day they met and he did his job in spectacular fashion. Buckley’s power alongside his technique helped him get his sixth welterweight victory in his MMA career as he defeated Covington by way of doctor stoppage/technical knockout in the third round. The St. Louise native’s incredible power cut through Covington, who had to be treated by the ring-side doctor as blood flowed from his eye to his cheeks. However, despite his victory, it appears that ‘New Mansa’ is not happy with it.

While having a conversation with the media, Joaquin Buckley stated, “I feel like my fight shouldn’t have been stopped, but it is what it is. You gotta protect the fighters. But I feel 2025, man, is definitely my year, and we’re definitely taking over. With this being said, I’m on a six-fight winning streak. You know, I have got eight knockouts within the UFC. I feel like I really haven’t done enough to put myself in the position, you know, yet again, to fight for the title.”

Joaquin Buckley might have expected some more action considering the fact that Covington is one of the best welterweight in the division but it appears that his thirst for a contest was not quenched. Regardless, let us move on forward to Dana White who has something to say about Dustin Poirier’s retirement.

Dana White gives clarification about Dustin Poirier’s retirement request

Dustin Poirier wanted to bid adieu to the fighting world on a high note by clinching the lightweight belt from Islam Makhachev but his train had to be stopped by the reigning champion at UFC 302 and his dreams of becoming a champion were completely shattered. Ahead of the UFC 302 clash, Poirier asserted that he doesn’t want to fight for much longer as he is considering retirement. However, retirement is still on the horizon for ‘The Diamond’, as he’s looking for a matchup to define his MMA swan song, and it seems like Dana White acknowledges this about the Louisiana native.

When asked about Dustin Poirier and his possible retirement fight at the UFC Tampa post-fight press conference, Dana White asserted that the promotion is already looking into it, “We’re in the middle of talks for him with something that he wants to do for the end of his career.” The former interim lightweight champion took to his X handle to announce that he has something for his fans with an excited furor, and we can already assume that his possible retirement fight is closer than expected and will be announced soon.

Well, as Dustin Poirier inches toward retirement, another legend within this sport is looking to get back into title contention. That person is none other than former UFC welterweight king Kamaru Usman. Let’s see what Usman has planned for 2025.

Kamaru Usman may have something planned next year

The former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has yet to step inside the Octagon after his last endeavor against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in 2023. While ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was one of the names added to the mix of replacements for Belal Muhammad at UFC 310, the promotion has other plans for the Nigerian-American fighter. It seems like the rumors of Kamaru Usman and Jack Della Maddalena fighting are true, as the two have been booked for UFC 312 on February 8th. The winner of this fight could be elevated to a title contender.

Welterweight fighter, Sean Brady emphasized that he heard rumors about Kamaru Usman vs. Jack Della Maddalena in February, “I’m hearing it Jack and Usman in Australia in February.” Well, he is not the only one who has hinted at a clash for ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’ Laura Sanko, in her latest statement at the UFC, claimed that Usman may or may not have a fight already scheduled. She further mentioned that she has no idea if it has been announced yet.

Even Alan Jouban has emphasized that the promotion might have already booked a fight for Kamaru Usman. Well, all of these indicate only one thing and that is the fact that ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ might be finally coming back to the Octagon after a layoff of more than a year and a half. Regardless, what’s your take on the hubbub? State your thoughts in the comments below.