Mark Selby UK Championship 2025 Winner: Final Match Report
The York Barbican witnessed one of the most intense tactical battles in recent snooker history last night. In a clash that pitted the immovable object against the irresistible force, the “Jester from Leicester” proved once again why he is the master of brinkmanship.
Mark Selby is the Mark Selby UK Championship 2025 winner, defeating the world number one Judd Trump 10-8 in a gripping finale. This victory does more than just add silverware to his cabinet. It ends a four-year drought for a Triple Crown title and cements his legacy among the all-time greats.
This wasn’t just a potting contest. It was a test of nerve, sportsmanship, and granite safety play. Here is exactly how the final was won, lost, and saved.
Match Overview: Selby Ends the Drought in York
For snooker fans, this final had everything. Mark Selby collected the £250,000 top prize and the famous trophy, but the context of this win matters immensely. Coming into this tournament, questions swirled around Selby’s form. He had not lifted a Triple Crown trophy—comprising the UK Championship, The Masters, and the World Championship—since 2021.
By overcoming Trump, Selby has silenced those critics emphatically.
The Scoreline & The Stakes
The final score of 10-8 reflects how close the contest truly became in the evening session.
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Winner: Mark Selby (£250,000)
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Runner-up: Judd Trump (£100,000)
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Venue: York Barbican, UK
According to the official rankings update from [WST.tv], this victory propels Selby back up to world number six. Despite the loss, Judd Trump retains his position as the world number one, a testament to his incredible consistency over the last 24 months.
The “Jester” Returns to Top Form
Selby’s performance throughout the week was reminiscent of his prime. He compiled multiple century breaks leading up to the final, showing a rhythm that has been missing in recent seasons.
[Snooker.org] reports that the standard of play in the 2025 tournament was exceptionally high, with over 100 centuries recorded across the event. To win in such a high-scoring field requires more than just safety play; it requires heavy scoring. Selby brought both.
The Narrative Arc: How the Final Was Won
The match was a tale of two distinct halves, defined by a blitz start and a gritty finish.
The Blitz: Selby’s 5-0 Start
The afternoon session began with one-way traffic. Selby stormed out of the blocks, punishing every minor error Trump made. He raced into a 4-0 lead at the mid-session interval, leaving the world number one sat in his chair for nearly an hour without potting a ball.
When play resumed, Selby extended that lead to 5-0. At this stage, many pundits in the commentary box feared a washout. Selby’s safety play was suffocating. He kept the cue ball glued to the baulk cushion, denying Trump the open long reds he thrives on.
The Comeback: Trump’s “Ace in the Pack” Resilience
You don’t become world number one without fighting spirit. Trump finally got on the board in frame six. That single frame shifted the momentum.
Trump began to find his range, firing in breaks of 105 and 124 in the evening session. His cue ball control, which had abandoned him early on, returned with laser precision. He clawed the match back to 5-3, then 7-5, and eventually leveled the score at 8-8. The Barbican crowd was raucous, sensing a complete turnaround.
Key Moments Analysis: Where the Match Turned
While the potting gets the highlights, the match was decided in two specific moments that will be discussed for years.
The Controversy of Frame 11: A Display of Sportsmanship
This was the moment that defined the character of the final.
In frame 11, referee Olivier Marteel called a “free ball” in Selby’s favor after a foul by Trump. Marteel believed Selby could not hit both sides of the object ball.
The Analyst View: A free ball here would have likely handed Selby the frame immediately.
However, Selby disputed the call. He approached the referee and argued that he could see the extreme edge of the red ball. He effectively refused the advantage. Trump also got involved, engaging in a lengthy discussion with Marteel. Eventually, the referee reversed the decision based on Selby’s honesty. The crowd erupted in applause. It was a moment of pure class that underscores why snooker is known as a gentleman’s game.
The Turning Point: Frame 15 Misses
With the score tight, Frame 15 proved to be the psychological pivot point. Judd Trump, usually automatic from close range, missed two routine blacks off the spot.
Pro Insight: In a major final, fatigue sets in mentally before it does physically. Missing a black off the spot is rarely a technical error; it is a lapse in concentration caused by pressure.
Those misses halted Trump’s momentum. Instead of going ahead, he allowed Selby to steal the frame. If Trump pots either of those blacks, he likely goes on to win the championship. Instead, Selby cleared up to retake the lead.
The Final Frame: Frame 18 Composure
At 9-8, the tension was palpable. Frame 18 descended into a tactical safety exchange. This is Selby’s backyard. He moved the white ball around with surgical precision, forcing Trump into difficult escapes.
Trump eventually left a red to the middle pocket. Selby stepped up and compiled a match-winning break of 69. He didn’t just fall over the line; he sprinted through the finish tape.
Historical Significance: The Triple Crown Legacy
This victory is a landmark moment in snooker history. By becoming the Mark Selby UK Championship 2025 winner, the Leicester man has altered the all-time record books.
Overtaking John Higgins
Before last night, Selby was tied with the legendary John Higgins on nine Triple Crown titles. He now stands alone in fourth place on the all-time list.
| Rank | Player | Triple Crown Titles |
| 1 | Ronnie O’Sullivan | 23 |
| 2 | Stephen Hendry | 18 |
| 3 | Steve Davis | 15 |
| 4 | Mark Selby | 10 |
| 5 | John Higgins | 9 |
Joining the double-digit club puts Selby in the most elite company the sport has to offer.
Mark Selby vs Judd Trump Head-to-Head
This rivalry continues to define the modern era. While Trump has dominated the tour events recently, Selby often has the edge in the longer, multi-session finals. His ability to grind down opponents over two days remains his superpower. This win narrows the head-to-head gap and serves as a reminder that in the biggest moments, Selby is still the man to beat.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
The snooker calendar never stops. With the UK Championship concluded, eyes immediately turn to the next major events.
The Road to the Masters and The Crucible
Selby’s win makes him a heavy favorite for the Masters in January. His confidence is back. When Selby is confident, his safety game becomes impenetrable.
For the World Championship in May, this result is significant. The long format of the Crucible is perfectly suited to Selby’s style. If he plays like he did in York, a fifth world title is a very real possibility in 2026.
Trump’s Consistency Concern?
For Judd Trump, this is a painful loss but not a disastrous one. He remains the best player in the world on current form. However, failing to close out a major final from 8-8 will sting. He will be keen to bounce back immediately to prove that his “bottle” in big moments remains intact.
Summary
The 2025 UK Championship will be remembered for the 5-0 start, the brave fightback, and the ultimate triumph of tactical mastery. Mark Selby proved that class is permanent. He absorbed the best shots the world number one could throw at him and responded with grit and composure.
Snooker is a game of millimeters. In Frame 11, a millimeter of red ball showed sportsmanship. In Frame 15, a millimeter on a missed black decided the title.
Who do you think will win the Masters next month? Will Trump bounce back, or is this the start of another Selby era? Let us know your thoughts.
FAQs
Who won the snooker UK Championship last night?
Mark Selby won the UK Championship last night (December 7, 2025), defeating Judd Trump with a score of 10-8.
How much prize money did Mark Selby win for the UK Championship?
The winner’s prize for the 2025 UK Championship is £250,000. The runner-up, Judd Trump, received £100,000.
What happened in Frame 11 between Selby and Trump?
In a display of great sportsmanship, Mark Selby disputed a “free ball” decision given in his favor by the referee. He believed he could hit the edge of the object ball. The referee eventually reversed the call based on Selby’s honesty.
What is Mark Selby’s world ranking after winning the UK Championship 2025?
Following his victory, Mark Selby has moved up to number 6 in the official world rankings.
How many Triple Crown titles does Mark Selby have now?
Mark Selby now has 10 Triple Crown titles, moving him past John Higgins into clear fourth place on the all-time list.
Did Judd Trump win a trophy in 2025?
While he lost this final, Judd Trump has had a successful season and remains the world number one. However, he missed out on the UK Championship trophy this time.
What was the final score of the Selby vs Trump match?
The final score was 10-8 in favor of Mark Selby.
Where is the UK Snooker Championship held?
The tournament is held annually at the York Barbican in York, England.
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