While the holidays are quiet for arenas that have hosted MMA events year-round, like T-Mobile Arena and the UFC Apex, both in Enterprise, NV, the action won’t really resume until the calendar switches to January from Thursday, Christmas Day. Until then, fans around the world get a break to enjoy the holidays and everything that comes with it, including MMA Under the Tree
Before we get started with this year’s version of the Under the Tree article, let me connect the tree… What is that? Is that a cell phone ringing? Let’s find out who it is! Come on!
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MMA Under the Tree: A voicemail from Santa Claus himself
The voicemail is being recorded, but let’s play it. “Merry Christmas, Drew! It’s your old friend, Santa Claus! The elves tell me you’ve been a really good writer this year and I just found out you’re doing another MMA Under the Tree article this year!”
“As you know, this makes me so happy. It’s almost Christmas Eve again and there is some extra room in the sleigh this year to accommodate a human co-pilot. I was wondering, ‘Drew, with your mind so clear, would you like to come with me in my sleigh tonight?’
Santa, let’s go. We have a few more stops to make along the way before we head back home for the holidays, so let’s not waste any more time and get started with MMA Under the Tree this Christmas season.
MMA Under the Tree: To: MMA fans in various countries. From: The UFC
Unpack that first box and you’ll find a number of clocks and wristwatches. Hmm, but why are the clocks at 9pm and the wristwatches at 6pm? Effective The new UFC card era begins on Paramount Plus with January 24’s UFC 324.
With that T-Mobile Arena card, the main card for flagship events will now start an hour earlier than usual at 9pm ET/6pm PT. It’s a big ask to ask MMA fans to make extra time for a flagship card once a month on Saturday nights.
While the difference between the old main card start time and the new one may not seem that big, imagine you’re someone who goes to work the day after the show. You can’t stay up too late on Saturday night. Since the main card now starts at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT most weeks, people who go to work on Sundays no longer have to sacrifice too much shuteye after the main event.
There are more gifts to be delivered, so let’s keep going, shall we?
MMA Under the Tree: To: Jamel Haring. From: David Feldman and BKFC
While this is primarily an MMA article, we’ll be leaving MMA aside for now in this edition of MMA Under the Tree. This next gift is some gauze and tape from David Feldman. Next year Jamel Herring will need that just as much as he does is entering a new phase in his martial arts life. Herring, formerly the WBO Junior Lightweight Champion, will join BKFC’s active roster on the BKFC 86 card beginning January 17 in Uncasville, CT.
Herring has a record of 24-5 with 12 knockouts in traditional boxing and just turned 40 last October. Most recently in the ring he went 10 rounds with Jackson Jon England. What would prove to be his final appearance in boxing ended with a split-decision defeat for the WBO Global Super-Featherweight Championship.
With more than a year removed from active competition, Herring is now preparing for his return to action on the third Saturday of January. That midwinter evening he will face Matt Guymon (2-1 bare-knuckle). How Herring does in his bare-knuckle debut remains to be seen. We have more presents to give out before we’re done.
MMA Under the Tree: To: Fans of the SmartCage. From: The PFL. PLEASE NOTE: NOT OPEN UNTIL FEB. MARCH 7 AND 20, 2026, RESPECTIVE.
For our next gift in MMA Under the Tree, we have three belts, but you can’t open that box yet. You’ll have to wait until well after New Year’s to see these belts for yourself. The 2026 PFL schedule begins on February 7 with PFL Dubai.
This card is headlined by two title fights at the top of the bill. The PFL Dubai main event will feature the PFL Lightweight Championship battle between undefeated champion Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0, 1 NC MMA, 2-0 PFL) and 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament Champion Alfie Davis (15-5 MMA, 3-1 PFL) in a champion vs. champion battle.
With such high stakes, it’s no wonder this bout looks to be one of the most exciting fights of 2026 in the sport of MMA. The mere fact that these two men are already champions in the February 7 match makes this tilt TV a must-see. If you’re thinking about making plans for February 7, don’t.
Your co-main event that evening will take place in the welterweight division. Former Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Ramazan Kuramagomedov (13-0 MMA) will make his PFL promotional debut in his first fight in over a year and a half as he takes on Shamil Musaev (20-0-1 MMA, 4-0 PFL), the 2024 PFL Welterweight Champion, for the vacant PFL Welterweight Championship.
PFL Madrid will take place on March 20. The day’s main attraction takes place at middleweight in a rematch of a 2020 fight between Costello van Steenis (17-3 MMA, 2-0 PFL) and Fabian Edwards (13-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC). Although the tree will be long gone, these gifts will be well worth the wait. We have one last gift in this edition of MMA Under the Tree, so let’s open it right away!
MMA Under the Tree: To: Fans of the UFC. From Paramount Plus
This last gift is one that is always welcome, especially around the holidays. Santa Claus has given UFC fans their money back for Christmas this year.
Earlier this year, the UFC surprised everyone by signing a seven-year deal. A $7.7 billion (USD) deal with Paramount Plus. This pact, initially only for viewers in the United States of America, has been in effect ever since adapted to include audiences in Australia and Latin American markets, including Brazil.
In addition, select UFC flagship events will be simulcast on linear television via CBS Sports. The best news this Christmas for MMA fans is this: UFC shows, including numbered cards, are accessible to Paramount Plus at no additional cost.
This is a gift that will keep on giving for years to come.
MMA Under the Tree: Happy Holidays!
That wraps up our look at MMA Under the Tree for the 2025 holiday season. From everyone here at MMA Sucka, best wishes for a happy, safe and healthy holiday season and good luck in the coming New Year.
Merry Christmas to everyone and good night to everyone.
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