As the UFC gears up for another thrilling 2025, head honcho Dana White would want the year to be as successful as the previous one. After all, 2024 was an amazing year for the company, with UFC Vegas and 309 being some of the biggest successes that the biggest MMA promotion in the world has seen. Now, Dana White would want to continue the success streak in the coming year as well.

However, there are some significant challenges that could define the promotion’s trajectory. The head honcho of the promotion must tread carefully through them all to avoid critical missteps in 2025. From resolving divisional bottlenecks to capitalizing on the star power of a megastar of the promotion, here are three pressing issues that demand the immediate attention of the UFC boss.

Keeping the heavyweight division on hold for long

The heavyweight category, traditionally regarded as the pinnacle of combat sports, has remained at a standstill since Jon Jones’ return. Over the last two years, fans have seen only two undisputed title bouts. While Jones’ dominating victory over Ciryl Gane was historic, to say the least, it also signaled the start of a slowdown in the division, leaving title contenders waiting in limbo and spectators demanding some action in the category that is known for high-adrenaline fights. The division is filled to the brim with potential contenders, such as Tom Aspinall, the UFC interim heavyweight champion, who is a hungry fan favorite, and has time and again requested a chance at glory.

However, there is a lack of consistent scheduling and matchmaking at the top level that is stopping the action from actually taking place. With ‘Bones’ often sidelined due to injuries, the division risks losing momentum at a time when it should be thriving this year. As a result, Dana White should make the heavyweight division his top priority in 2025. A logical starting point that everybody had been waiting for would be to book the fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Aspinall, with his bursting speed and one-shot ability, provides a serious challenge to the reigning UFC heavyweight champion and guarantees a thrilling fight.

This clash would not only rekindle interest in the division but would also shed light on its future trajectory. However, a single fight will not solve the situation. The promotion’s head honcho must also ensure a consistent heavyweight fight schedule and a road map for top contenders. Fighters like Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes are frequently inactive, with interim titles and eliminator fights filling the void. If this trend continues, the UFC risks losing fans and degrading one of its most prestigious divisions.

Not keeping champ vs. champ fights exclusive

Champ vs. champ contests are definitely one of the biggest attractions that the Dana White-led promotion can have. After all, it directly sends the winner to legendary status. However, the increased frequency of these fights taking place also poses a significant challenge to the UFC’s divisional balance. In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of champions declare their desire to move up or down in weight to win a second title. Many fighters, like Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev, and Dricus Du Plessis, are looking for champ vs. champ bouts.

While their goals aren’t far-fetched and is something that should be possible for every champ in the biggest MMA promotion in the world, this trend also creates major challenges. When a champion seeks a second title, their own division comes to a halt. Contenders are left waiting indefinitely for a title shot, and the division loses the competitive edge that it once had before its champion went for double champion status. Alexander Volkanovski is one of the perfect examples of how we can fight for such situations. While his quest to become a two-division champion was something that excited fans, it is worth noting that it also temporarily left the featherweight division hanging.

Similarly, Islam Makhachev’s desire to compete against champions from other weight classes raises concerns for the lightweight division as well. Dana White must establish clear criteria to ensure who can get into champion vs. champion title bouts. These fights should be limited to megastars with proven drawing power that can surely shatter the previous gate records set by the promotion. Fighters such as Conor McGregor, who brought major global attention to the UFC with his champion vs. champion fight against Eddie Alvarez, is one clear example of this.

‘The Notorious’ established the benchmark for such contests. So, by limiting the chances given to every champion in the promotion, the UFC can keep the divisions as thrilling and competitive as they should be. Furthermore, Dana White must also take the UFC’s growth into his perspective. While champion vs. champion fights will bring in a lot of money, it is equally important for him to build new contenders by scheduling regular title defenses. A champion vs. champion contest should only be considered when a bout has the ability to bring in the major money that shatters gate records or when the champion in question has run out of challengers in his division.

Delaying Conor McGregor’s return

Few names in combat sports carry the weight and influence of Conor McGregor. The Irishman had been the face of the UFC for nearly a decade, almost becoming synonymous with the sport itself. However, ‘The Notorious’ has been missing action for a long time now, and it is becoming a point of growing concern for the Dana White-led promotion. Ever since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021, the former UFC double champion has hinted at potential matchups, with his bout against Michael Chandler almost coming to fruition before ‘The Notorious’ had to pull out of the fight due to an injury.

Now, Conor McGregor is making more news due to his conviction in the civil case against Nikita Hand, and the UFC cannot afford to let this saga drag on indefinitely. Two major risks come with the postponement of the Irishman’s return. First and definitely the biggest risk is that the hype around his return could fade away. After all, there is only a limited amount of time before fans lose interest in him. Something that has already started happening, with many even turning their backs on him after the legal escapade.

Secondly, from a financial standpoint, Conor McGregor’s return is a golden opportunity for the UFC. His fights have been consistently known for generating massive pay-per-view revenue for Dana White while also bringing global attention to the promotion. Whether it’s a grudge match or another high-profile fight, the UFC would want McGregor to step back into the Octagon as soon as possible. However, that would need clear communication with the Irishman, keeping him focused on MMA and creating storylines with other fighters.

The UFC head honcho will also have to make sure that fans are always kept in the loop to keep the anticipation running. If he manages to do that, ‘The Notorious’ can simply just return and reignite the lightweight division again. But what do you think? Will Dana White be able to navigate through all these issues to find success in 2025? Let us know in the comments.