For fight fans, the year 2024 ended with a bang, and UFC decided to celebrate the new year with the spotlight on the champions. But things were destined to change for a few divisions, with others staying the same. Some champions dominated their divisions throughout the year and it remains to be seen who will retain their championship status by the end of 2025.
The Instagram post showed Jon Jones screaming at the top of his lungs in the center-top, flanked by Alex Pereira and Tom Aspinall. Well, we must commend the fight promotion for crediting the interim heavyweight champion. Below Jones, Pereira and Aspinall are Valentina Shevchenko, Julianna Pena, Belal Muhammad, Ilia Topuria, and Merab Dvalishvili. Right below Jones is none other than Islam Makhachev in the center with Alexandre Pantoja and Dricus Du Plessis flanking him. The caption of the post read, “Closed out 2024 holding UFC gold 
Which champ(s) will still have their belt at the end of 2025?”
Maycee Barber, Jones, Jose Aldo, Dvalishvili, Makhachev, and many others liked the Instagram post. But the Dagestani team’s manager hinted at a change in the picture as he tagged Umar Nurmagomedov, Kayla Harrison, Magomed Ankalaev, Movsar Evloev, Manel Kape, and Tatiana Suarez in the comments section. Perhaps Makhachev knows he will remain a champ. Maybe that’s why he shared the picture on his IG story.
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But what did the fighting community think of the post? After all, it took them mere moments to swoop to the comments section to reveal their thoughts. Let’s see what the fight community had to say about the post celebrating 2024’s champions.
Fighting community takes a stance as Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev, and Ilia Topuria end 2024 as champions
Most fans seemed to believe that Jon Jones shouldn’t be at the center of the picture. And the reason? It was because he notably steered away from a fight against Tom Aspinall, claiming that the interim heavyweight champion didn’t deserve it. One fan wrote, “Jon Jones doesn’t deserve main spot when he won’t fight Aspinall.” Another fan commented, “Put Aspinall in the middle he fought the fights Jon doesn’t.” Meanwhile, some fans reflected on the heavyweight champion for beating an aging veteran Stipe Miocic. A comment read, “Jon a lil too hyped for beating an old man.”
A few fans even believed that Alex Pereira should have been placed at the center. After all, he made sure that the world was entertained by his three dominant title defenses, and stepping up on short notice. One fan commented, “Get Jones out of the middle 
. Put Alex there. Most defenses, top earner.”
Meanwhile, some fans predicted that 2025 would witness a major change in the picture. One fan wrote, “At least 3 new champs by the end of 2025.” The comment probably alluded to Nurmagomedov, Ankalaev, and Aspinall. Another fan voiced the same sentiment by quoting, “This list gonna be so much different in 2025.”
But there were some spots fans felt wouldn’t change anytime soon. Yes, we’re talking about Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. A fan weighed in on this and commented, “Topuria and Islam guaranteed to hold on to their belts.”
Do you think Jones, Makhachev, and Topuria can retain their championship titles? Who do you think will become the new champions in 2025? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
The post “Jon Jones Doesn’t Deserve”- Islam Makhachev & Ilia Topuria Divide Fans as Debate for 2025 Champions Starts appeared first on EssentiallySports.
