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As 2024 winds down, the UFC is riding high on yet another record-breaking year. The company continues to cement its legacy as the premier organization in mixed martial arts, consistently innovating and evolving. Heading into 2025, Dana White has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to elevate the UFC’s profile even further. From exploring untapped markets to delivering marquee matchups, the UFC President believes the organization is poised for its biggest year yet.
Breaking New Ground: Expanding the UFC’s Global Reach
During a recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take, White reflected on the UFC’s 2024 achievements. “[2024] was a record year for us again,” he stated. “Not only as far as financially for the company but [also] breaking arena records.” Despite this success, White’s vision for 2025 is focused on going even bigger.
“Next year my focus is to go to a lot of places that we haven’t been in a while or ever,” he continued. “[We’re] trying to get into Spain, we’ve never done Spain. We’re going back to LA at the beginning of the year. Going to Seattle again, probably going to hit Chicago and some of these other places we haven’t been in a while.”
The UFC’s potential debut in Spain is particularly intriguing. With the country’s growing interest in combat sports, Spain represents a golden opportunity to captivate a new audience and build local talent. Meanwhile, returning to established markets like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago ensures the UFC stays connected to its core fanbase in the United States.
The Fight Fans Are Clamoring For: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
While expanding globally is a priority, the UFC’s lifeblood remains its ability to deliver the fights fans want to see. Out of all the potential matchups in 2025, Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall stands out as the most anticipated. The heavyweight title unification bout has been the subject of intense speculation, but White has made it clear: this fight is happening.
“[Jon Jones] has never said behind the scenes, ‘I won’t fight Tom Aspinall.’ It’s the exact opposite,” White explained. “Jon Jones is like 37 [or] 38 years old now, has these huge gaps in between fights, he is not afraid to fight Tom Aspinall. He will fight Tom Aspinall, and it will be the biggest fight in UFC history.”
With Aspinall coming off a string of dominant performances and Jones solidifying his status as one of the greatest fighters of all time, the stage is set for a showdown that could redefine the heavyweight division. Fans are already buzzing about the potential clash of styles: Jones’s unparalleled fight IQ versus Aspinall’s speed and power.
The Greatest of All Time?
White’s confidence in Jon Jones extends beyond his ability to sell pay-per-views. The UFC boss has often compared Jones to combat sports legends like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, but he believes Jones stands alone at the top.
“[Jon Jones] better than Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and any other combat sports great,” White claimed. Such declarations underscore the high stakes of Jones’s next fight. A win against Aspinall could cement his legacy as the GOAT in the eyes of even his staunchest critics.
A Historic Year Awaits
With plans to break into new markets and deliver historic fights, 2025 is shaping up to be another banner year for the UFC. Dana White’s unwavering ambition and the company’s proven track record suggest that fans around the world are in for a treat.
Whether it’s witnessing the UFC’s first-ever event in Spain or watching Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall battle for heavyweight supremacy, one thing is certain: the UFC’s upward trajectory shows no signs of slowing down.
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