UFC News Roundup: March 17, 2025

UFC News Roundup: March 17, 2025

Tom Aspinall Expresses Frustration Over Jon Jones Fight Delays

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has voiced his frustration over the prolonged scheduling of his title unification bout against reigning champion Jon Jones. Aspinall, who secured the interim title by defeating Sergei Pavlovich and successfully defended it against Curtis Blaydes, is eager to solidify his status as the undisputed champion. Jones, recovering from a pectoral injury sustained in his last bout against Stipe Miocic in November, has yet to confirm a return date. In the meantime, Aspinall made a notable appearance in WWE and hinted at possible future endeavors in professional wrestling. He remains focused on his UFC career and is prepared to face any opponent the promotion deems fit. ​

Alexander Volkanovski Plans Active 2025 to Reclaim Featherweight Dominance

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has outlined an ambitious plan to reclaim his dominance in the division. After a challenging 2023, which included a near win against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and subsequent losses to Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, Volkanovski took time off to recover and reassess his career. He is set to return at UFC 314, facing Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title. Volkanovski aims to defend the title against top contenders Movsar Evloev and Patricio Pitbull within the year, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining an active fighting schedule and reestablishing his legacy in the featherweight division. ​

Conor McGregor's St. Patrick's Day Visit to the White House

In a surprising move, former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor visited the White House on St. Patrick's Day. McGregor addressed the media, urging the United States to support Ireland in addressing various challenges. His visit garnered significant attention on social media, with fans and pundits speculating about his future both inside and outside the octagon. ​

Leon Edwards Set to Face Sean Brady at UFC London

UFC London, scheduled for March 22, 2025, will feature a headline bout between former welterweight champion Leon Edwards and rising contender Sean Brady. Edwards, who lost his title to Belal Muhammad in July 2024, is determined to reclaim his position at the top of the division. The event will take place at The O2 Arena in London, with the main card starting at 8 PM GMT. This matchup offers Edwards a path back to title contention, while Brady has the opportunity to establish himself as a top contender in the welterweight division. ​

Magomed Ankalaev's Coach Accuses Alex Pereira of 'Greasing' in UFC 313 Title Fight

Controversy has arisen following the UFC 313 light heavyweight title fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Ankalaev's coach, Sukhrab Magomedov, alleged that Pereira had a slippery substance on his body during the bout, implying potential 'greasing' tactics to hinder grappling exchanges. These accusations have sparked discussions within the MMA community regarding fight ethics and regulations. As of now, no official investigation has been announced by the UFC. ​

Upcoming UFC Events

• UFC 314: Scheduled for April 12, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, featuring Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes for the featherweight title.​

• UFC 315: Set for May 17, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, headlined by a welterweight title bout between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena.​

• UFC 317: Planned for late June 2025 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with fights to be announced.​

These events highlight the UFC's commitment to delivering high-quality matchups across various weight classes, keeping fans engaged throughout the year.