3 Non-Headlining Fighters With The Most To Prove in UFC’s Last Two Cards Of 2025

Gillian Robertson has the biggest fight of her career on December 13 when she takes on Amanda Lemos. The strawweight division faces new uncertainty after Weili Zhang’s loss to Valentina Shevchenko, but a win over a former challenger should bolster her chances of getting a title shot.

It is a shame that “The Savage” finds herself, at least for the time being, being consigned to the prelims despite her high finish rate. Perhaps being emphatic will awaken Dana White enough that he finally gives her a main-card opportunity next time around.

2) Tatsuro Taira

Tatsuro Taira has given Japan what it has been lacking for most of its time in the UFC: an elite contender. Still, he has work to do before securing that elusive title shot.

Former two-time champion Brandon Moreno has been working as a gatekeeper of sorts ever since losing to Pantoja for the third time. He lost to Royval but has since denied Amir Albazi and Steve Erceg. If Taira can get the job done, he may be next for a title shot — unless Manel Kape and/or Kyoji Horiguchi also win…

1) Maycee Barber

Once upon a time, Maycee Barber was being hailed as “The Future” – a fairly photogenic prospect with killer instinct rarely seen among female fighters. Unfortunately, mishaps, self-made or otherwise, have served to hurt her image. The latest was a botched weight cut that led to her withdrawal from a main-event fight against Erin Blanchfield before walkouts.

Many fans were understandably angry at it, but Barber has a chance to win them back at UFC 323. She faces Karine Silva, herself once regarded as a fast-rising contender before Viviane Araujo halted her momentum. An emphatic win would do wonders for her standing at women’s 125.

End Of My UFC Rant

Other names who will have something to prove include Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov. Their gatekeeper-vs.-prospect clash opens the main card of UFC 323, and it could herald the birth of a new light heavyweight contender.

Then, there is Yaroslav Amosov. He will be the latest Bellator alum to enter the Octagon when he fights Neil Magny, and a dominant win will make the former champion another must-see name at welterweight.

Finally, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo will look to end his MMA career on a high note when he faces Payton Talbott. The young prospect will love nothing more than attain the biggest win of his career against a legend.