7 Gifts Fight Fans Received in 2025
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2025 was a wild year for combat sports. It was packed with surprises, breakout stars, and changes that shook up the UFC landscape.
With Christmas around the corner and the gift-giving season in full swing, there was plenty to celebrate. Especially with The Scrap marking 7 years, we decided to give in to some second-to-none gifts for fight fans.
From historic announcements to rising contenders and new ways to watch fights, fans were spoiled this year. Here are seven gifts that fight fans received this year:
The Death of UFC PPVs
Fight fans received one of the biggest gifts of the year in the form of a major shift in how they watch UFC events. Paramount+ and the UFC announced a seven-year deal starting in 2026. It’ll be the exclusive home for all numbered UFC events and Fight Nights in the U.S. and Latin America.
This move ends the long-standing ESPN partnership and effectively signals the death of traditional pay-per-views for many events. Subscribers will now have access to all UFC events at no extra cost. New seasons of Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter will also stream on the platform.
The first event under this deal, UFC 324, is set for January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas. It will feature an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison will defend her title against Amanda Nunes. For fans, this change makes premium UFC content more accessible than ever and represents a huge win for the audience.
No More Double Champions
One of the overlooked gifts fight fans received this year was the UFC putting an end to the double champion era. The promotion began requiring champions to vacate their belts before receiving an immediate title shot in a new division.
This led to confusion at first, since many assumed fighters were becoming double champs again. In reality, those belts had already been claimed by new champions before the former titleholder competed for a new weight class.
As a result, fighters are now recognized as champions in multiple divisions. Not simultaneous double champions. It is still an incredible accomplishment, but it comes with a healthier structure for the sport.
This change benefits fight fans because it prevents divisions from being stuck in limbo while a champion pursues a second title. In previous years, divisions were held up for long stretches with no movement and no clarity. Now, contenders can keep fighting, divisions can stay active, and champions can still chase greatness without slowing everything down.
Dakota Ditcheva Becoming the Face of the PFL
Another gift fight fans received this year was watching Dakota Ditcheva fully step into her role as the new face of the PFL. Even though most of her breakout success came in 2024, she continued proving in 2025 that there are levels to this shit.
She remains undefeated, and with her contract expiring, fans wondered if she would finally make the jump to the UFC. Many were frustrated when she chose to stay with the PFL. But, financially it was the smartest move she could have made. With Kayla Harrison leaving for the UFC, the promotion needed a new star to carry the brand, and Ditcheva became that person.
With her contract secured and her status elevated, she heads into 2026 as one of the most dominant forces in the sport. She has injected new life into a flyweight division that has been short on star power. While a matchup with Valentina Shevchenko is unlikely anytime soon, the hope is that more high-level talent will come to the PFL. So far, she has made every opponent look like light work.
Welterweight Became the New Lightweight Division
Another gift fight fans received this year was watching the welterweight division explode into the most exciting weight class in the sport. It felt like we blinked and suddenly 170 pounds turned into the new lightweight division. It was loaded with chaos, storylines, and talent all peaking at the same time.
In 2025 alone, the division saw title changes, knockout highlights, and a wave of undefeated fighters climbing into contention. Belal Muhammad briefly held the belt after beating Jack Della Maddalena in May, only for Islam Makhachev to move up and take the title in November.
The same night, Michael Morales delivered a breakout knockout win, and Carlos Prates shocked everyone by stopping Leon Edwards. Add in wins from Ian Machado Garry and a rebound victory from Kamaru Usman, and the division never stopped moving.
What makes welterweight feel so electric is the depth. Shavkat Rakhmonov and Michael Morales remain undefeated. Garry continues to rise. Prates has real momentum. Jack Della Maddalena is still a threat. And now there is a new champion in a new weight class with a target on his back.
The division is stacked, unpredictable, and filled with contenders who can beat anyone on the right night. For fight fans, watching welterweight turn into the most competitive division in the UFC was one of the best gifts of the year.
Merab Dvalishvili’s Bantamweight Title Reign
Another gift fight fans received this year was witnessing Merab Dvalishvili make history in the UFC bantamweight division. In 2025, Dvalishvili successfully defended his title three times. He attempted a record-breaking fourth defense, becoming the first champion in UFC history to fight for a belt four times in a single calendar year.
His title run began by defeating Sean O’Malley for the vacant championship in September 2024. Throughout 2025 he faced top competition, including Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen.
Dvalishvili’s reign was defined by dominance and activity. His UFC win streak reached 14 fights, including victories over four former champions: José Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, and Sean O’Malley. His attempt at a fourth defense ended when Petr Yan reclaimed the belt at UFC 323. But, the UFC has already guaranteed Dvalishvili an immediate rematch.
Fighting five title fights in just 449 days and challenging for a record fourth defense in one year, Dvalishvili gave fans a historic and unforgettable 2025. Dude really is “The Machine” and deserves so much respect.
The UFC White House Announcement
One of the biggest surprises fight fans received this year came directly from the White House. In early July, President Donald Trump revealed that the UFC will host an event on the White House grounds on June 14, 2026, as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
The announcement was later expanded in December. Trump shared that the card is expected to feature eight or nine championship fights, making it one of the most stacked lineups in UFC history. He also noted that Dana White is holding back major matchups specifically for this event.
Plans include building a temporary arena in front of the White House that will seat between 5,000 and 6,000 people. There will be room for up to 100,000 more on the lawn behind it, where several large screens will be set up.
Regardless of political views, the scale of this event is massive. It’s a milestone that no one ever expected to see in combat sports. While the announcement alone felt like a gift for fans this year, the card itself could end up being the biggest moment of 2026.
More Big Names From Other Promotions Sign to the UFC
Fight fans were also gifted some of the most exciting cross-promotion moves in years as top talent from other organizations joined the UFC. In 2025, stars like Aaron Pico, Patchy Mix, and Patricio Pitbull made the jump.
For years, the notion lingered that not all the best fighters were in the UFC. While that remains somewhat true, 2025 showed the promotion continuing to make strides to bring in elite talent from outside. None of the three had a successful debut, but their presence promises intriguing matchups in 2026.
These signings expanded the talent pool and added depth, giving fans the chance to see truly high-level competition collide.
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