2025 UFC event schedule: Steve Garcia vs. David Onama, Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena on tap

Following a dynamic UFC 321 event, the promotion is set to return to its Las Vegas home base for a series of UFC Fight Night cards. The first of these, scheduled for Saturday, November 1, will see a compelling featherweight contest headline the UFC Apex, as rising contenders Steve Garcia and David Onama face off.

Steve Garcia, a product of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has established himself as one of the most electrifying featherweights currently ascending the divisional ranks. His impressive six-fight winning streak underscores his aggressive, fan-friendly style, characterized by significant power. This streak includes five consecutive knockout victories, demonstrating his ability to finish opponents decisively, and a notable decision win over longtime top-10 contender Calvin Kattar. Kattar, known for his durable chin and boxing acumen, presented a significant challenge, making Garcia’s victory a key marker in his career progression. Garcia’s relentless pressure and willingness to engage in striking exchanges have made him a must-watch fighter, and his consistent finishes have garnered him considerable attention within the 145-pound division.

Across the Octagon, David Onama, representing Uganda, is another featherweight swiftly climbing the divisional ladder. Onama enters this bout on the heels of his own four-fight winning streak, which includes a decisive victory over the highly regarded Giga Chikadze. Chikadze, known for his potent kickboxing and extensive martial arts background, posed a formidable test, and Onama’s ability to secure a decision against such an opponent highlights his developing skill set and tactical maturity. Onama’s fighting style combines athleticism with a growing technical proficiency, making him a dangerous adversary capable of both striking and grappling exchanges. The Garcia-Onama bout is expected to be a high-octane affair, with both fighters possessing the offensive capabilities to end the fight at any moment, and the winner will undoubtedly solidify their position as a top contender in the increasingly competitive featherweight division. The fight will be broadcast on ESPN+ from Las Vegas.

Further into the 2025 schedule, the UFC will transition to its annual New York City pay-per-view event on November 15, an occasion consistently marked by high-profile matchups. This year, UFC 322 is slated to feature a marquee welterweight championship bout, with reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena making his first title defense against the formidable Islam Makhachev.

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Jack Della Maddalena, an Australian standout, captured the welterweight championship through a series of impressive performances that showcased his sharp striking and tactical precision. His journey to the title has been marked by a blend of technical boxing, powerful combinations, and an astute ability to exploit opponent weaknesses. As he prepares for his inaugural title defense, Della Maddalena faces arguably the most significant challenge of his career in Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev, the former undisputed lightweight champion, makes a historic move up to the welterweight division, having vacated his 155-pound title to pursue this "super fight." Makhachev’s reign at lightweight was defined by his dominant grappling, unparalleled positional control, and suffocating pressure, attributes that have drawn comparisons to his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. His decision to challenge for a second divisional title underscores his ambition and confidence in his ability to compete at the highest level across weight classes. This cross-divisional clash between a dominant grappler and an elite striker presents a compelling stylistic puzzle, promising a strategic and explosive encounter for the welterweight gold. The event, UFC 322, will be available via ESPN+ PPV.

In another monumental development for UFC 322, the card will also feature a highly anticipated women’s super fight. Zhang Weili, who previously reigned as the women’s strawweight champion, has opted to vacate her title to challenge the two-time women’s flyweight queen, Valentina Shevchenko. Zhang Weili, known for her explosive striking, powerful ground-and-pound, and relentless aggression, has been a dominant force in the strawweight division, delivering memorable performances against the division’s elite. Her decision to move up in weight to face Shevchenko signifies her pursuit of new challenges and her belief in her ability to contend with larger opponents. Valentina Shevchenko, widely regarded as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time, boasts an exceptional record characterized by clinical striking, masterful grappling, and an unmatched fight IQ. Her two reigns as flyweight champion have seen her dispatch numerous challengers with precision and authority. This clash of champions from different weight classes is expected to be a technical masterpiece, pitting two of the sport’s pound-for-pound best against each other in a bout with significant historical implications for women’s MMA.

Beyond the competitive landscape, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has also announced a significant strategic shift in its media distribution model. A landmark media rights agreement has been forged between UFC and Paramount+, establishing an exclusive partnership that will eventually see the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model phased out. This groundbreaking deal aims to transform how fans access UFC content, potentially making events more broadly available through a subscription-based streaming service. While specific details regarding the full transition and its timeline are still being rolled out, the implication is a move towards a unified platform for viewing UFC fights, which could significantly alter the current landscape of sports broadcasting. This partnership signifies a forward-thinking approach by the UFC to adapt to evolving consumer viewing habits and expand its global reach, potentially bringing its electrifying events to a wider audience without the transactional barrier of individual PPV purchases in the long term. However, for initial 2025 events such as UFC 322, the ESPN+ PPV model remains in place, indicating a phased implementation of the new agreement.

The full slate of upcoming UFC events for 2025 showcases a robust schedule designed to keep fans engaged throughout the year.

Upcoming UFC Schedule Highlights:

UFC Fight Night – November 1: Headlining this event in Las Vegas, Steve Garcia will face David Onama in a featherweight clash. Both fighters are on impressive winning streaks, making this an essential bout for divisional contention. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+.
UFC Fight Night – November 8: Another Las Vegas-based card will feature Ismael Bonfim taking on Randy Brown in a welterweight bout. Bonfim, known for his aggressive striking, will test Brown’s well-rounded skillset. This fight is critical for both fighters looking to climb the competitive welterweight ranks. Coverage will be on ESPN+.
UFC 322 – November 15: New York City hosts this major pay-per-view event. The main event pits welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev in a highly anticipated title defense. Additionally, Zhang Weili challenges Valentina Shevchenko in a women’s super fight. This card promises to be one of the year’s most significant, available via ESPN+ PPV.
UFC Fight Night – November 22: The promotion expands its international footprint with an event in Doha, Qatar. Arman Tsarukyan, a rapidly ascending lightweight contender, will face veteran Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan’s relentless pace and grappling will be tested by Hooker’s dangerous striking and experience, with significant implications for the lightweight top 10. The event will be shown on ESPN+.
UFC 323 – December 6: Las Vegas will host another championship event as Merab Dvalishvili defends his bantamweight title against Petr Yan in a highly anticipated rematch. Dvalishvili, known for his relentless pressure and exceptional cardio, will look to solidify his reign against the former champion Yan, a masterful striker seeking redemption and the belt he once held. This bantamweight title fight will be a compelling clash of styles, available on ESPN+ PPV.
UFC Fight Night – December 13: The final Fight Night of the year in Las Vegas will feature a flyweight showdown between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape. Both fighters are known for their explosive, high-paced styles, making this a crucial contest in the flyweight division’s dynamic landscape. This event will also be broadcast on ESPN+.

This comprehensive schedule reflects the UFC’s continued global expansion and commitment to delivering high-stakes, compelling matchups across multiple divisions. Fans are encouraged to regularly check official UFC channels for further updates and potential additions to the 2025 event calendar as the year progresses.