October has always been one of those months where the UFC likes to remind everyone why they’re the biggest fight promotion in the world. It’s like they save up all their best matchups and then dump them on fans in one crazy month that leaves fight fans broke and exhausted. This year’s October lineup is particularly stacked, with events that could completely reshape multiple divisions and create new stars in the process.
The promotion has clearly learned that fans want consistent high level action, not just one big pay per view followed by weeks of filler cards. October 2025 represents this philosophy perfectly, with major events spread throughout the month that each carry their own significance. From Las Vegas to Brazil to Canada to Abu Dhabi, the UFC is taking their biggest fights to different corners of the world!
The month starts with a bang in Las Vegas as UFC 320 delivers what might be the most anticipated rematch of the year. Magomed Ankalaev shocked the world when he outpointed Alex Pereira at UFC 313 to claim the light heavyweight title. Now Pereira gets his immediate chance at revenge, and fans can bet he’s been studying every second of their first fight to figure out what went wrong.
Back in Vegas with some BANGERS 🔥@AnkalaevM vs @AlexPereiraUFC 2 🏆@MerabDvalishvil vs @CorySandhagenx 🏆@Jiri_bjp vs @KhalilRountree#UFC320 | Register interest: https://t.co/pZv6AnWMF0 pic.twitter.com/UMZPULCnvu
— UFC (@ufc) July 22, 2025
Jiri Prochazka will serve as the backup fighter, ready to step in if either champion gets injured. If that doesn’t happen, Prochazka faces Khalil Rountree Jr. on the same card. The co-main event features Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen. This fight should showcase some of the best technical skills in the sport. Sandhagen’s striking and movement against Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and cardio creates the kind of stylistic clash that produces memorable battles.
The action continues on October 11 in Rio de Janeiro with what should be an absolute war between Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev. Oliveira might not be the lightweight champion anymore, but he’s still one of the most dangerous submission artists in the sport. Fighting in his home country of Brazil always brings out the best in him. The crowd energy alone will be worth watching, because Brazilian fans have a way of turning every Oliveira fight into something special. Fiziev brings incredible striking and knockout power that can end fights in an instant. This makes this a classic striker vs grappler matchup that could go either way.
🚨 BREAKING: Charles Oliveira will fight Rafael Fiziev in the main event of #UFCRio on October 11th
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 7, 2025
(via @laertevianamma) pic.twitter.com/3Dq7DkaWbO
The supporting cast on this card is equally impressive, with former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo taking on Montel Jackson. Vicente Luque vs Santiago Ponzinibbio adds even more firepower to the main card, featuring two welterweights who always come to fight and never disappoint. When the UFC puts together a Fight Night card this deep in talent, fans know they are serious about delivering value to their international audiences and giving Brazilian fans the kind of show they deserve.
A week later on October 18, the action moves to Vancouver for what might be the most intriguing stylistic matchup of the month. Reinier de Ridder came from ONE Championship with a reputation as one of the most complete fighters outside the UFC. He held titles in two different divisions and showcased the kind of well rounded skills that translate well to UFC. Anthony Hernandez has been quietly building an impressive resume in the UFC’s middleweight division, using his wrestling and ground game to dominate opponents in ways that don’t always make highlight reels but win fights consistently.
This is going to be FUN 👀
— UFC (@ufc) August 19, 2025
Reinier de Ridder vs Anthony Hernandez is the #UFCVancouver main event!
Tickets on sale Friday | Learn more: https://t.co/Sy7avEfmJe pic.twitter.com/Uoi2AStUWT
The co-main event will be former title challenger Manon Fiorot taking on Jasmine Jasudavicius. The card also features fan favorites like Marlon Vera and Kevin Holland.
The month concludes on October 25 in Abu Dhabi. Tom Aspinall has looked absolutely unstoppable since coming to the UFC. He uses his speed and finishing ability to destroy everyone put in front of him. Ciryl Gane represents his biggest test yet. He brings the kind of technical striking and footwork that has given other heavyweight champions serious problems in the past.
THE NEW ERA IS HERE 😮💨@AspinallMMA vs @Ciryl_Gane is the #UFC321 main event!
— UFC (@ufc) July 22, 2025
Tickets on sale Friday | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/yaD8IGP04U
Two HUGE fights added to #UFC321 🏆 🤩
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) August 29, 2025
🇧🇷 Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern 2 🇧🇷
🇷🇺 Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista 🇺🇸@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/uIHPfexBxC
The co-main event features another vacant title situation that could create a new star in the women’s strawweight division. Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will engage in a rematch for Zhang Weili’s vacated belt. Also Umar Nurmagomedov will retuern on this card against Mario Bautista. This Abu Dhabi card has the potential to crown new champions and completely reshape more than two different divisions in one incredible night!
(Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images)
mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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