At the close of 2024, UFC CEO Dana White set the MMA world abuzz with excitement when he hinted at a game-changing surprise for 2025 during the final UFC event of the year in Tampa. “I got something in the works that you will never (expletive) see coming for 2025,” he revealed. This cryptic message sparked a frenzy of speculation among fans and analysts alike. Could it be the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall? Or perhaps UFC superstar Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon after a four-year hiatus?

Among the most intriguing rumors was a potential clash between middleweight Khamzat Chimaev and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. With a massive 20-pound difference in their weight classes, this matchup still seemed like a tantalizing prospect. The rumor mill picked up steam after ‘Poatan’ removed Magomed Ankalaev’s name from the list of potential opponents, further stoking speculation. Additionally, in October, Khamzat Chimaev voiced his readiness to fight the LHW king, adding even more fuel to the fire.

Despite all the excitement, neither Dana White, ‘Borz’, nor Pereira has confirmed any details, leaving fans to wonder if this fight will be one of the biggest bouts of 2025. However, we believe the fight is unlikely to happen. Let’s see why!

1. Alex Pereira or Khamzat Chimaev, one UFC star’s legacy will weaken!

With the absence of UFC megastar Conor McGregor, the promotion has undergone a noticeable shift. While the promotion’s popularity remains strong, the mainstream buzz is not at the level it used to be during McGregor’s peak years. However, the rise of Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira has brought fresh excitement, positioning them as valuable assets for the UFC boss. Both fighters have built strong reputations, winning over fans with their distinct fighting styles and memorable taglines—“Smash” and “Chama”—which have become enough of a draw to attract viewers to the events.

Yet, a potential clash between the two could damage the loser’s reputation, even if it happens at any stage. Khamzat Chimaev is on the brink of securing the middleweight title, while Alex Pereira has successfully defended his light heavyweight title three times. Given their dominance in their respective divisions, it’s likely why UFC matchmakers Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby are exercising caution in booking this fight.

2. Dana White doesn’t want to do champ vs. champ fights

This second reason holds weight. Khamzat Chimaev is just one step away from the middleweight title, and everyone knows Dana White’s stance on “champ vs. champ” fights. Earlier this year, after Jones successfully defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, he asked White to set up a fight with someone “dangerous and established” like ‘Poatan’. However, the head honcho vehemently shut down the potential matchup between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones, making his stance clear.

White dismissed this idea, saying, “f-cking no way,” citing the significant size difference and contrasting fight styles. This stance was once again evident back in October during UFC 308 when he rejected the potential bout between the featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and lightweight champ Islam Makhachev after ‘El Matador’ expressed interest in moving to the 155-pound division. Once again, the head honcho rejected the idea of a “champ vs. champ” fight. So, how could White possibly allow a showdown between ‘Borz’ and ‘Poatan’?

3. The middleweight or the light heavyweight division goes on a hold

This point underscores Conor McGregor‘s actions during his ‘golden run‘ in the UFC. In 2016, McGregor made history as the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously. However, he put them on hold to pursue his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather. Upon his return, McGregor was neither able to clinch the 155lbs nor the featherweight titles. This situation raises the question: Can Dana White afford to “hold” another division?

Meanwhile, if Khamzat Chimaev secures the title against Alex Pereira while being the middleweight king, he will become a double champion, which could place the 185lbs division on hold as well. Similar to a “logjam in a river,” this could tarnish the division’s reputation with an inactive champion and potentially push ‘Poatan’ toward the heavyweight division. We’ve already seen how a loss in one middleweight division led Pereira to move to 205 lbs, so further setbacks might push him to the heavier weight class, a move Dana White would likely prefer to avoid.

With all the factors in mind, do you agree with our reasoning as to why a fight between Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev is unlikely in 2025? While the list isn’t exhaustive, what’s your take on why this matchup won’t happen next year? While 2026 could present a potential opportunity, given ‘Poatan’s’ age, this fight may never materialize. Share your thoughts below.