With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from January 2025: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Month award for January.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice.
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Nominees
Roman Kopylov def. Chris Curtis at UFC Fight Night 249
Controversy struck during the conclusion of the middleweight between Roman Kopylov and Chris Curtis, but prior to that, they were delivering.
The fight was a battle for 15 minutes. Well, almost 15. Both men got their licks in but when a Kopylov (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) head kick dropped Curtis (31-12 MMA, 5-4 UFC) in the final seconds, referee Mark Smith intervened to wave off the fight to the protest of Curtis and his team.
Cesar Almeida def. Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night 249
Cesar Almeida turned the tables on Abdul Razak Alhassan in violent fashion during their middleweight bout.
After absorbing a knockdown from Alhassan (12-7 MMA, 6-7 UFC) early in the contest, Almeida (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) got back to his feet and engaged in a firefight. He tucked his chin and connected with a huge punch, putting the lights out on his opponent in an incredible, highlight-reel comeback finish.
Jiri Prochazka def. Jamahal Hill at UFC 311
Jiri Prochazka got back to his old ways as he scored a third-round knockout of Jamahal Hill to conclude an entertaining scrap between the former UFC light heavyweight champions.
After both delivering big shots throughout the contest, Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) landed best in the closing minutes of the final round that dropped Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC). He pounced on top and landed some more shots until the referee waved it off.
Merab Dvalishvili def. Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311
Despite Umar Nurmagomedov’s best efforts in his first crack at UFC gold, Merab Dvalishvili proved his championship metal by getting better as the fight reached deep waters.
The UFC bantamweight championship remained around the Georgian’s waist after Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) outpacing Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) to a unanimous decision in a thrilling battle where both men had their moments, but ultimately the champion’s conditioning proved to be a difference-maker in his favor once again.
The winner
Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes at PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai
Usman Nurmagomedov’s undefeated record was put under threat unlike ever before against Paul Hughes, but escaped with the lightweight belt.
Nurmagomedov (19-0) narrowly retained championship when an extremely game Hughes (13-2) put on the performance of a lifetime in pushing the Dagestan-born titleholder to his limit. It wasn’t enough, though, and Nurmagomedov was awarded the majority decision victory.
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