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2025 in the UFC hasn’t just been wild—it’s been a graveyard for “sure things” and a gold mine for anyone with the guts to back the dog. These weren’t just upsets; these were the nights when reputations died and new legends got stamped on the mat. Remember the hype train called Payton Talbott? Raoni Barcelos didn’t.

He walked in, ignored the odds, and schooled the prospect for three straight rounds—first professional loss for Talbott, and every underdog bettor cashed like it was Christmas. That set the tone for the year.

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The script flipped again when Carlos Vera stepped in against Musasa—nobody gave Vera a shot, but he snatched the back, sunk the choke, and reminded every fan in the house that records mean nothing once the cage door locks. Want fireworks? Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal. Nickal, the wrestler with the monster hype, never saw the knee to the body coming.

TKO, and everyone watching learned that grapplers who strike are a nightmare for the boys who think they’re untouchable.
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The biggest shock? Umar Nurmagomedov’s perfect record—gone, courtesy of Merab Dvalishvili, who outpaced, out-grinded, and outlasted one of Dagestan’s finest. All the memes, all the “undefeated aura”—smashed under relentless pressure.

Then there was Brendson Ribeiro, written off on every preview. Nobody gave him a prayer against Nurgozhay, but a perfect kimura changed the odds and silenced the “safe money” in seconds.

And just when the bookies were getting comfortable, Muin Gafurov came in as a late dog and flat outworked Rinya Nakamura for three rounds—unanimous, no controversy, just pure hunger. All year, the narrative has been simple: ignore the headlines, ignore the “guarantees.” Bet the guy who’s sick of being doubted. In 2025, the UFC belongs to the overlooked, the underloved, and the unbreakable.

Miss those moments, and you’re just betting with the crowd—good luck with that.

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