
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
MMA is Back
MMA is back in the new year and Home of Fight still has you covered on the most important events to watch with our weekly schedule!
The UFC kicks off 2025 this weekend with its first fight card of the year, headlined by UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2.
Beyond the UFC, the combat sports world is buzzing with other notable promotions in action, such as ONE Fight Night, LFA, and Fury FC. The year is off to a hot start, promising some fun fights & match-ups to keep fans entertained
Dern vs Ribas | UFC
UFC Vegas 101: Dern vs. Ribas 2
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Start Time: Prelims – 7pm EST | Main Card – 10pm EST
Date: Saturday, January 11th, 2025
Main Event
- Mackenzie Dern (+170) vs. Amanda Ribas (-205)
Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas are set to rematch after their first encounter in 2019, where Ribas handed Dern her first professional loss via unanimous decision. Since that bout, nearly 20 fights have transpired between them, with both fighters evolving in their careers.
Ribas, currently ranked in the top 15, has faced challenges recently, going 2-3 in her last five fights. Dern, after enduring the first losing streak of her career, regained momentum with a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez in her last outing. This fight presents an opportunity for both athletes to make a significant leap forward: Ribas to solidify her ranking and Dern to break into the top 15. A victory would be a crucial step for either fighter at this stage of their careers.
Ribas will likely aim to keep the fight standing, relying on her striking and movement to neutralize Dern’s dangerous ground game.
HOF | Instagram
Featured Fight #1
- Chris Curtis (+210) vs. Roman Kopylov (-258)
Chris Curtis against Roman Kopylov is an exciting matchup that pits Curtis’s boxing and durability against Kopylov’s explosive kickboxing. Curtis tends to do very well in close-range exchanges, using his sharp counters, defensive skills, and ability to pressure opponents effectively. His resilience and composure often give him the opportunity to capitalize on mistakes made by his opponents.
On the other hand, Kopylov is a versatile striker with strong kickboxing fundamentals and excellent movement, which could pose challenges for Curtis. Kopylov’s recent performances have shown improved finishing ability, particularly with his striking arsenal.
Before losing his fight to Anthony Hernandez back in February of 2024, Kopylov had gone on a four fight win streak, finishing every fight via knockout. While Kopylov’s takedown defense has developed, his grappling remains a potential vulnerability.
The fight will likely hinge on whether Curtis can close the distance to impose his boxing or if Kopylov can dictate the range with his footwork and striking diversity. If Curtis takes the fight to the mat and uses his wrestling to smother Kopylov, he might be able to find some success too.
Rodriguez vs Bashi | UFC
Featured Fight #2
- Christian Rodriguez (+230) vs. Austin Bashi (-285)
Christian Rodriguez against Austin Bashi is an intriguing matchup between a UFC veteran and a promotional newcomer.
Rodriguez is a well-rounded fighter known for his slick grappling and sharp striking, often utilizing his ability to mix up attacks and capitalize on transitions. His composure and fighting IQ make him dangerous in scrambles and striking exchanges alike.
Bashi, on the other hand, is a relentless wrestler with high-level control and a grinding pace that can wear opponents down. Bashi was awarded a contract after his submission victory in the 2024 season of Dana White’s Contender Series. His ability to dictate where the fight takes place will be key against Rodriguez, who thrives when given space to work his diverse skill set.
The outcome may depend on whether Bashi can impose his wrestling and neutralize Rodriguez’s versatility or if Rodriguez can exploit openings in Bashi’s pressure-heavy style.
ONE Fight Night: Tang vs. Abdullaev
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Start Time: Main Card – 8pm EST
Date: Friday, January 10th, 2025
Main Event
- Kai Tang (+250) vs. Akbar Abdullaev (-325)
One Championship’s current featherweight champion, Kai Tang, is set to make his second title defense after winning the title initially in August of 2022 when he defeated the former champion in Thanh Le. Tang made his first title defense against the same opponent in an immediate rematch and defeated him once again, this time via knockout.
This fight promises to be an exciting clash of styles in the featherweight division. Tang’s precision striking and ability to control the pace will be tested against Akbar Abdullaev’s knockout power and relentless aggression.
The challenger has accumulated an undefeated professional record of thirteen victories opposite to no defeats while the champion has twenty-two professional fights with only three losses. If Tang can take out the undefeated title challenger and pick up his twentieth professional victory, this will not only serve as a milestone but also a real statement following his second title defense.
Zamboanga vs Rassohyna | ONE
Co-Main Event
- Denice Zamboanga (-240) vs. Alyona Rassohyna (+190)
Philippine’s Denice Zamboanga and Ukraine’s Alyona Rassohyna will meet in the co-main event on Friday night to compete for the Interim Women’s Strawweight title while the reigning champion is away from the sport. This championship bout promises to be very entertaining with two interesting styles going to war.
Zamboanga is known for her aggressive striking and ability to control the pace with precision and speed, while Rassohyna brings a strong grappling game, highlighted by her submission skills. The key for Zamboanga will be to maintain distance and keep the fight standing, while Rassohyna will aim to close the gap and bring the bout to the ground.
This matchup could come down to whether Zamboanga can defend takedowns or if Rassohyna can impose her grappling dominance. Fans can expect a compelling battle between these two well-rounded athletes.
LFA 199 | Poster
LFA 199: Frias vs. Visconde
Where to Watch: UFC Fight Pass
Start Time: Prelims – 7pm EST | Main Card – 10pm EST
Date: Friday, January 10th, 2025
Main Event
- Ary Farias (-165) vs. Erick Visconde (+135)
Two featherweight prospects from Brazil, Ary Farias and Erick Visconde, are set to be featured in the first LFA main event of 2025. Both fighters are veterans of the LFA cage and will battle it out in this five round main event. Both fighters have gone .500 in the LFA cage. A win for either fighter will be pivotal for them.
Frias, the Shooto Brazil champion, is on a two fight win streak. He won the Shooto title back in May but hasn’t defended since. This LFA bout will be his first one since then. Over the course of his career, Frias has been known for his slick grappling and dangerous submission game. Of his fourteen wins, eight of them have come by submission.
His opponent, Erick Visconde, has proven to be a force wherever the fight goes. Visconde has plenty of finishes to his name as well as some decisions, proving that he can submit, knock out, or pressure his opponents to a decision. If Visconde can use his well rounded approach and not get his back taken, he could be able to pick Farias apart on the feet and bring this fight to deep waters.
LFA | Instagram
Co-Main Event
- Josh Hokit (-550) vs. John Lopez (+400)
Josh Hokit will make his LFA debut after going 2-0 in Bellator to kick start his career. Hokit is a heavyweight but has found a lot of success with submissions. Thus far, both of his professional careers have come by submission on one of the biggest MMA stages in the world.
Hokit, a former standout college football player, got his first taste of professional sports in the National Football League when he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers following his successful career as a tight end and fullback at Fresno State.
“The Incredible Hok” will take on John Lopez on Friday night who also has two professional victories opposite to one defeat. In his last time out, Lopez got his hand raised but the fight was stopped in Round 1 due to his opponent’s shoulder popping out of place. Besides this fight, Lopez won his professional debut by knockout in the first minute and then went on to suffer a knockout loss in his second showing.
This fight features two heavyweights young in their careers and makes for a very interesting fight. Who knows what to expect from these fighters as they continue to evolve with the sport.
Fury Fighting | Instagram
Fury FC 100: Kilmer vs. Smotritsky
Where to Watch: UFC Fight Pass
Start Time: Prelims – 2:30pm EST | Main Card – 5:30pm EST
Date: Friday, January 10th, 2025
Main Event
- Shimon Smotritsky (-180) vs. Sam Kilmer (+150)
Shimon Smotritsky and Sam Kilmer will meet to compete for the Fury FC Welterweight championship in the main event of the promotion’s 100th event. These two fighters present a clash of styles, with Smotritsky relying on precise striking and technical combinations to control the pace.
Smotritsky has accumulated eleven professional victories with five of those coming by way of knockout. Kilmer, a strong wrestler, will likely look to close the distance and take the fight to the ground where he can use his grappling and ground control.
Although Kilmer finds a lot of success using his wrestling, he can bang too. Kilmer has some beautiful knockouts as well.
Smotritsky’s key to victory will be defending takedowns and maintaining a striking distance. Kilmer, on the other hand, will aim to wear down Smotritsky with pressure and clinch work. If Kilmer can out wrestle, smother, and grind Smotritsky out while negating that power, he could find lots of success. Smotritsky will aim to use his striking to find his moment.
Co-Main Event
- Justice Torres (-185) vs. Cameron Graves (+155)
In an event so big and special, it’s only right to have another championship bout. Current Fury FC Featherweight champion, Justice Torres, will make his second title defense after earning a five round unanimous decision over Vilson Ndregjoni to claim the vacant title back in October.
Torres is wasting no time getting back in there to defend his title. He’ll be taking on a veteran of twenty professional fights on a three fight win streak, Cameron Graves. Both fighters are very durable and capable of finishing a fight anywhere it goes with well rounded skill sets. This fight promises to be an exciting showdown, with both fighters bringing different strengths.
Featured Fight
- Paris Moran (-400) vs. Alden Coria (+300)
You thought they were done? Nope! One more title fight which makes for pretty much a triple main event. Fury FC is going all out to celebrate their big milestone and one hundredth event.
Reigning Fury FC Flyweight champion, Paris Moran, is set to make his third title defense against the true task and challenger in Alden Coria. Moran currently rides a big five fight win streak, defeating his previous opponents with knockouts, submissions, and decisions.
Moran has proven to be a very well versed fighter with effective attacks from anywhere and everywhere. He’ll be met by Coria who comes into this fight on a two fight win streak. He finished both opponents with one knockout and one submission.
Both men have proven that they can finish fights from anywhere and Coria is a true task for the current champion due to how durable and well rounded he is. The challenger has only been finished once and it was via submission. It takes a lot of pressure to grind him out and this bout makes for yet another exciting title fight for this monumental event.
Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!