Brazil ends 2025 in the UFC with Alex Poatan and Mackenzie Dern champions

Poatan overcomes rivalry and retakes the light heavyweight throne

Alex Poatan’s season was marked by a rivalry that dominated the light heavyweight division. After months of provocations and exchanges of barbs on social media, the Brazilian and Russian Magomed Ankalaev faced each other in the main fight of UFC 313, in March.

On that occasion, the athlete from Dagestan came out on top by winning by unanimous decision, ending Poatan’s reign in the under-93 kg category. The result called into question the dominant streak of the São Paulo native, who had won the belt in 2023.

The long-awaited reunion took place in October, in the duel that headlined UFC 320. This time, Poatan left no room for doubt. Acting aggressively from the start, the Brazilian needed just over a minute to knock out Ankalaev and regain the belt, putting an end to the rivalry and retaking the division’s throne.

Mackenzie Dern makes history and wins the strawweight belt

The year 2025 was also unforgettable for Mackenzie Dern. The Brazilian-American started the season leading the first event on the Ultimate calendar. In the main fight of UFC Vegas 101, held at the UFC Apex, Mackenzie beat Amanda Ribas by submission, returning the defeat suffered in 2019 and beginning a successful campaign.

The most important moment in the athlete’s career came in October, in the co-main fight of UFC 321, in Abu Dhabi. Facing Virna Jandiroba from Bahia, Mackenzie showed technical solidity and strategic dominance to win by unanimous decision and win the strawweight belt.