The Champion: Dricus du Plessis
Dricus du Plessis, the first South African to win a UFC title, currently reigns as the UFC Middleweight Champion. With a professional record of 22 wins and only 2 losses, du Plessis has shown he’s a well-rounded threat in the octagon. His fighting style blends knockout power with excellent grappling, making him a versatile and dangerous competitor.
Du Plessis’s rise to the top has been marked by several high-profile wins, including a title-eliminator victory over Robert Whittaker and a dominant win over Sean Strickland to capture the title in January 2024. His first defense against Israel Adesanya in August 2024 saw him submit the former champion in the fourth round with a face crank, cementing his place at the top of the division.
Du Plessis’s ability to finish fights, whether by knockout or submission, makes him a formidable champion. His strong wrestling and relentless pace, combined with his striking power, give him the tools to remain a dominant force in the division for the foreseeable future. While there are several challengers coming up the ranks, du Plessis is expected to remain the champion as we close out 2025 unless a challenger emerges who can overcome his versatile skill set.
The Favorite: Khamzat Chimaev (#3)
Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most exciting and feared fighters in the UFC today. With a perfect 14-0 record as of October 2024, Chimaev’s combination of explosive striking, dominant grappling, and relentless pace has made him a nightmare for opponents. He is currently ranked #3 in the UFC Middleweight division and has been rising through the ranks with a string of dominant performances, including his submission victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October 2024.
Chimaev’s wrestling background is one of the key factors in his success. A three-time Swedish national champion in freestyle wrestling, Chimaev’s grappling has been instrumental in his rapid rise to the top of the UFC. His striking is just as dangerous, and he has shown an ability to finish opponents quickly, often overwhelming them in the early rounds.
With his versatility and undefeated record, Chimaev is the favorite to challenge for the middleweight title in 2025. His aggressive style and ability to finish fights in multiple ways make him a dangerous threat to du Plessis’s reign. If Chimaev can continue his dominant performances and secure a title shot, he could very well end 2025 as the UFC Middleweight Champion.
The Underdog: Anthony Hernandez (#13)
Anthony Hernandez is a fighter who has steadily risen through the UFC’s Middleweight division, showing impressive growth and resilience along the way. With a professional record of 13 wins and 2 losses, Hernandez has demonstrated his versatility, earning victories via submission, knockout, and decision. He is known for his aggressive fighting style, particularly on the ground, where he has secured several submissions, including a notable guillotine choke victory over Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258.
Hernandez’s win over Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night in October 2024, where he earned a Performance of the Night bonus with a TKO finish in the fifth round, showcased his ability to hang with elite competition. His aggressive approach and well-rounded skill set make him a dangerous competitor, especially when he is on top of his game.
Despite his promising career, Hernandez is considered an underdog to become the Middleweight Champion by the end of 2025. His path to a title shot will require continued improvements, particularly in his striking defense and consistency against top-tier fighters. However, his growth and potential make him a dangerous challenger in the future.
