As April is in the rearview mirror, the fighting sports world is heating up with so many major events in a short period through UFC, WWE, AEW, and ONE Championship. May 2025 is going to be one of the most exciting and busiest months in the recent history of the fight world. With rivalries, title fights, and historic international events, you won't want to miss any of the action.
UFC Packs May with Heavyweight & Lightweight Fights
At UFC 315 on May 10, the lightweight division will witness Joel Álvarez fight Benoît Saint-Denis in Montreal, Canada. Álvarez returns from medical setbacks and visa troubles, and this fight marks his last lightweight appearance before moving up to welterweight. For Saint-Denis, a French national, the fight is a key opportunity to bounce back from two losses and prove himself on an international stage.
On May 17, UFC Qatar will take place at the Lusail Sports Arena for the heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev, which was postponed previously. Blaydes needs to recover from defeat, and Kuniev plans his first UFC match as he faces increasing pressure following numerous event postponements.
WWE Brings Backlash & NXT Battleground
WWE maintains its successful streak by organizing Backlash 2025 on May 10 at the St. Louis venue. The event this year becomes historic because John Cena will participate in what promoters describe as his last Backlash match while he continues his retirement tour. The event promises to deliver the same intensity of nostalgia as it does spectacular fireworks throughout the show.
The developmental brand NXT prepares to present NXT Battleground from Tampa, Florida, on May 25. This event marks a historic milestone — it will be the first NXT event to stream globally on Netflix, part of WWE’s broader digital expansion. New wrestling stars prepare to seize their time to become recognized internationally in the spotlight.
AEW Delivers Double or Nothing
AEW hosts Double or Nothing on May 25 at Glendale's Desert Diamond Arena as the promotion makes its first venue choice outside of Las Vegas, to expand its audience base. Previous events suggest that the undisclosed card will feature both championship title bouts and unexpected rules for competitive matches.
ONE Championship Puts Spotlight on Muay Thai & Grappling
ONE Championship returns to Bangkok's famous Lumpinee Stadium on May 3 for Fight Night 31. The showcase match at this event showcases Kongthoranee Sor. Sommai and Nong-O Hama are battling for a second time in flyweight Muay Thai while claiming status as Thailand's elite strikers.
Professional grappler Tye Ruotolo will protect his welterweight submission grappling belt when facing Dante Leon in an upcoming match. Thanks to their Prime Video deal, ONE Championship is bringing world-class martial arts to more American fans.
Streaming, Fan Engagement & Crypto
Fighting sports promoters keep finding new ways to make fights more exciting and connect with fans. WWE presents the most prominent streaming connection with Netflix, and AEW and ONE Championship utilize video streaming platforms to enhance their global viewer count.
Crypto is also becoming a game-changer for fighting fans who bet. Nowadays, more bettors have been going for crypto casinos because they enjoy the quicker payouts and greater privacy they offer. Litecoin betting sites are especially popular because they are quick, safe, and good for live fight betting.
(Just a heads up: These are third-party sites and aren’t linked to UFC, WWE, AEW, or ONE.)
Final Wrap
This May is packed with huge fights and game-changing moments. Every leading promotion launches a new initiative, from defending championship belts to retirement events and debut fights, to global expansion.
This year could become noted as a key moment for changing both viewers’ connection to fight sports and how they view and experience fight events.
So stay tuned.
