What’s up fight fans! By now I’m sure you are all tweaking from the withdrawal of violence during the Xmas period. But don’t worry. In 10 days we will be back in the swing of things! It’ll be like we never left! Bones will break, necks will snap, and DCs forever biased commentary will return! Oh MMA how I’ve missed you!

Friday January 10th kicks off the year’s violence in Thailand. As ONE Championship put on a show at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok! Headlined by a sure fire banger in Tang Kai, defending his featherweight gold, against Akbar Abdullaev.

Then Saturday January 11th the UFC kicks off there year with a Fight Night show at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Headlined by two Brazilian fighters who are huge fan favourites. Amanda Ribas takes on Mackenzie Dern for the second time, in a classic case of repeat or revenge. Amanda Ribas holds a unanimous decision win against Dern, back when the 2 met in 2019.

Following those two solid cards, things start to get serious the following weekend. We head to the sunshine state of California! Inglewood to be precise. The brand new home of the LA Clippers, The Intuit Dome for UFC 311 : Makhachev V Tsarukyan 2. If the main event wasn’t big enough in its own right, we have the small matter of a co main event for the 145lb title! As Merab Dvalishvili makes his first defence of his title against the number one contender! Umar Nurmagomedov. Talk about a double header! Dana White starts 2025 by spoiling us with this one! The main card also has Jiri Prochazka v Jamahal Hill on it! I mean come on! What’s not to love! Straight up fire! If you’re not pumped for this one, then head over to a NFL site or something.

We finish January off with a trip across the globe to Dubai. As the PFL/Bellator put on their first event of the new year at the Coca Cola Arena. A Champions series event headlined by the fast rising Irishman Paul “Big News” Hughes, taking on the 155lb Bellator Champion Usman Nurmagomedov! Not only is the fight intriguing inside the cage, but it could be intriguing outside of the cage. As Paul Hughes has invited a certain “Notorious” Irish man to be in his corner. Which is sure to stir up some past dramas, considering Khabib will be in the corner of Hughes opponent. But until I see it, I’ll hold my breath on that one happening.

Id like to finish by wishing everyone a huge happy new year from everyone here at Fight Bananas, and let’s make 2025 a VIOLENT ONE!

The clock is ticking.

Phil.

Phillip Dean

Phillip Dean is a seasoned combat sports journalist from England, with over 27 years of ringside experience. Phillip delivers engaging, in-depth reporting on the world of combat sports.