As January 2025 reaches its halfway point, shocking news has already sent waves through the fight community. Holly Holm, the former UFC women’s 135lbs champ who famously stunned the world with her knockout victory over Ronda Rousey, has announced her departure from the UFC. Holm’s agent, Lenny Fresquez, confirmed to MMA Junkie that after over a decade with the UFC, the 43-year-old fighter has chosen to part ways with Dana White’s multi-billion-dollar promotion, despite still having fights remaining on her contract.

However, Holm requested her release from the UFC, and the promotion granted her wish. She is now exploring free agency, considering new opportunities in both MMA and boxing. After facing challenges in making a successful comeback in the UFC, the Albuquerque native is eyeing high-profile boxing bouts, a lucrative avenue for many former UFC fighters.

While her future in either sport remains uncertain, one thing is clear: she has left the door open for new possibilities in combat sports. Who else might follow in her footsteps and bid farewell to the UFC in 2025? Let’s take a look at some potential free agents for the year ahead.

1. Sean O’Malley

With Conor McGregor absent from the Octagon, Sean O’Malley has stepped up as one of the UFC’s most marketable stars. In just a few years, the former bantamweight champion has become a cornerstone of Dana White’s multi-billion-dollar promotion, proving his value as both a fighter and a brand. UFC veteran Chael Sonnen even highlighted ‘Suga’s’ meteoric rise, stating, “O’Malley is the biggest star in our sport right now… Conor’s not in the sport; he’s not even licensed. Conor could not walk in and fight tonight if he wanted to.”

Although Sean O’Malley recently lost his title, his path to reclaiming it remains open. Yet, having already tasted championship glory, his focus now seems to be shifting toward maximizing financial gains. This naturally raises the question: is the UFC doing enough to fulfill O’Malley’s growing appetite for bigger paydays? For now, the UFC appears to be meeting his expectations. In his last two appearances at UFC 299 and UFC 306, the Montana native pocketed impressive payouts of $2,317,000 and $3,000,000, respectively.

However, the allure of boxing’s lucrative paydays casts a long shadow over these figures. Consider Conor McGregor’s monumental earnings from his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather—dwarfing any UFC payout to date. This raises an intriguing possibility: could Sean O’Malley follow McGregor’s lead and explore opportunities in boxing, becoming a free agent in 2025? With potential opponents like Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis expressing interest, the path to a crossover seems ripe for exploration.

2. Dustin Poirier

“Got something planned for you. Hold on, I’m coming,” Dustin Poirier wrote on X in response to a fan’s plea for “uno mas” His follow-up, “The last dance. I promise ya,” suggested that ‘The Diamond’s remarkable 14-year run in the UFC might be approaching its finale, with possibly one or two fights remaining. Throughout his illustrious career, ‘The Diamond’ has accomplished what many MMA fighters can only dream of.

From capturing the interim lightweight title to earning iconic victories over elite opponents like Max Holloway at UFC 236 and Conor McGregor twice at UFC 257 and UFC 264, Poirier has cemented his legacy in the sport. Now, at 35 years old, with little left to prove inside the octagon, the Louisiana native may be eyeing a final opportunity to secure a significant payday before retiring—a chance to step away and savor the rewards of his hard-fought career, perhaps with a cold beer by the beach.

Outside of fighting, Poirier has already built a firm foundation for life after the UFC. His entrepreneurial ventures, such as ‘Poirier’s Louisiana Style Hot Sauce’ and Rare Stash bourbon, demonstrate his savvy business acumen. With a family to provide for and a young child to raise, the American appears focused on ensuring their future—drawing comparisons to Walter White from Breaking Bad.

A lucrative exhibition boxing match could be the perfect send-off for Dustin Poirier, similar to the high-profile bouts we’ve seen with Conor McGregor against Floyd Mayweather or Nate Diaz’s clash with Jake Paul, both of which earned monumental paydays. Even if Poirier decides to remain with the UFC rather than explore opportunities in boxing or another promotion, his future is still brimming with possibilities. Transitioning into coaching or expanding his business ventures could very well be the next chapter for ‘The Diamond.’

3. Colby Covington

Colby Covington has solidified his place as one of the most notable welterweights in MMA, not just for his skills in the Octagon but for his polarizing persona. Embracing the role of a “heel,” ‘Chaos’ has mastered the art of controversy and trash talk, which has greatly amplified his marketability and drawn fans in droves. However, this penchant for provocation has often seen him cross the line, earning him headlines for all the wrong reasons.

At 36, Colby Covington is approaching the twilight of his career and finds himself at a pivotal moment. His recent performances have left much to be desired, with just two wins in his last six UFC outings. This decline has sparked skepticism among fans and even Dana White has expressed doubts regarding Covington’s prospects going forward.

Adding to the uncertainty is the Clovis native’s interest in moving up to the middleweight division—a category brimming with elite fighters who pose significant physical challenges. Given his age and recent track record, questions loom over whether he can remain competitive against larger and more formidable opponents.

Should White decline Covington’s plea to transition to middleweight, alternative paths might await the outspoken fighter. The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) could offer a fresh platform for his combat career, while his brash personality and charisma make him a natural fit for the world of professional wrestling, be it in WWE or AEW. ‘Chaos’s credentials, including his NJCAA gold medal at Iowa Central Community College.

What are your thoughts on the list of fighters who could become free agents in 2025? Although it’s not exhaustive, do you think we’ve highlighted the top three who are most likely to part ways with the UFC? Share your opinion below!