Mark your calendars because Dana White and Co. have announced the dates for International Fight Week 2025. The festivities will commence on 26 June in Las Vegas with the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and end with UFC 317 on 28 June at the T-Mobile Arena. Well, the UFC also announced that it would be a 2-day immersive experience for the fans. However, the fighting community is excited for one thing. And that is the action we’d get to see in the Octagon. 

However, official announcements regarding the fights have yet to be made. Nevertheless, there are three possible matchups that have been raising the entropy of the fight fans for quite a while now. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?

1. Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall 

Talking to The Mac Life on January 31, 2025, the UFC head honcho weighed in on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall and revealed, “It’s the biggest fight we can make.” And what’s the better time if not the International Fight Week? With the Las Vegas vibe chiming in with stacked cards and massive bonuses, Jones might not steer away from Aspinall this time around. The fighting community, along with ‘Honey Badger’ have been asking for the matchup ever since the Britisher became the interim heavyweight champion. And it’s high time to unite the belts. 

The famed UFC play-by-play commentator, Jon Anik, was also in favor of making Jon Jones fight Tom Aspinall at the International Fight Week. During a conversation with MMA Junkie, the UFC commentator said, “I feel like the company is in a great position to make this fight, and I think you’ve got to do Las Vegas. You’ve got to do International Fight Week 2025.” Michael Bisping was also of a similar belief, although he didn’t base it on any insider information. 

Of course, the heavyweight champion has agreed to fight for the union of the belts, and Dana White has already given his 100% guarantee to make the fight in 2025. However, the UFC CEO was also ready to ‘move on’ from the matchup and look at other fights to make. All we need to do is wait and watch.

2. Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler 

Following his loss at UFC 309, Michael Chandler stayed optimistic regarding a bout against Conor McGregor, to finally conclude TUF 31. During his appearance on Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, ‘Iron’ said, “I think me and Conor International Fight Week is the next fight. That’s what I’m throwing out there. I think June, July.” It’s not an oblivious fact for the fight fans that Chandler has been waiting for McGregor for a pretty long time. But ‘The Notorious’ previously broke his pinky toe and had to pull out of their fight at UFC 303, the last International Fight Week. So will Dana White trust him again this time? When he asked for the fight to go down in December 2024, White put a pin in the discussions and declared that the fight would happen in 2025.

McGregor’s star factor has the potential to attract a humongous crowd to the arena. He knows how to sell the fights. If he gets to fight at UFC 317, things would certainly keep the excitement high. And that would ensure a massive influx of capital for the organization. Maybe that’s the reason why White previously hoped to get McGregor vs. Chandler done in mid-2025. It’s indeed one of the fights that could garner attention like nothing else, and scheduling it for IFW 2025 would be the cherry on top.

3. Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria

Another fight that the entire fighting realm has been anticipating is Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev. The featherweight champion has let his intention to move up to the lightweight division and fight Makhachev known to the public. However, the Dagestani champion has averted his eyes, claiming that ‘El Matador’ still needed to prove himself worthy of an LW title shot. However, after Topuria’s repetitive pestering, Makhachev finally agreed to take on the fight. 

Needless to say, the matchup has excited the fighting world. Joe Rogan has also joined the charades and claimed that he wanted to see Topuria fight Makhachev. And this matchup being the co-main event at International Fight Week, leading the way to either Jones vs. Aspinall, or McGregor vs. Chandler for the main event, would be nothing short of an electrifying card. If that happens, we might also get to see Makhachev face off against ‘The Notorious’ for Ireland vs. Dagestan 3. Wouldn’t that be epic?

Which fight are you excited for the most? Is there any other matchup that you would love to watch? Drop down to the debate section and keep the conversation flowing.