UFC 300 fight card and rumor tracker: Full lineup finalized for historic fight card

UFC 300 is predicted to ship a loaded lineup for the promotion’s historic April occasion.

Following some of the chaotic years in latest reminiscence, the UFC will carry UFC 300 to its residence base of Las Vegas on April 13. UFC CEO Dana White has promised some of the stacked, and maybe, unpredictable lineups in firm historical past.

With 4 title fights already on the books for the primary quarter of the 12 months, together with Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title, and Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Raquel Pennington for the vacant ladies’s bantamweight title at UFC 297, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title at UFC 298, and Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera for the bantamweight title at UFC 299, there’s quite a lot of instructions the UFC may go when it comes to reserving potential blockbuster fights.

Will UFC 300 mark the lengthy awaited return of the game’s largest star in Conor McGregor? Time will inform because the countdown to UFC 300 is formally on.

For now, preserve this web page bookmarked: We’ll have a rundown of each combat introduced, rumors, athletes elevating their fingers and calling their pictures, and extra.

Official UFC 300 combat card:

Important Card (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV)

Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill — UFC mild heavyweight title combat

Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan — UFC strawweight title combat

Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway — BMF title combat

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage

Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Preliminary Card (8 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN+)

Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar

Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes

Early Preliminary Card (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Renato Moicano vs. Jalin Turner

Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez

Jim Miller vs. Bobby Green

Cody Garbrandt vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

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March 8: Closing combat revealed, full lineup finalized

The UFC 300 lineup is full, as the ultimate piece of the puzzle has been revealed.

Throughout Saturday’s UFC 299 occasion, the thirteenth and ultimate bout of the UFC 300 combat card was introduced as a light-weight battle between Renato Moicano and Jalin Turner.

Moreover, graphics had been proven for the finalized lineup for the UFC’s April pay-per-view occasion, which shall be headlined by Alex Pereira defending his mild heavyweight title towards former champ Jamahal Hill. The strawweight title combat between Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan will function the co-main occasion, whereas the “BMF” title bout between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway would be the featured contest.

Additionally on the primary card — which was a shock to a whole lot of followers — would be the middleweight bout between Bo Nickal and Cody Brundage, and the extremely anticipated light-weight conflict between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan will open the primary card.

Headlining the ESPN preliminary portion of the occasion shall be a matchup between former mild heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka and Aleksandar Rakic. Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling, the UFC debut of Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm, and Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes spherical out the ESPN prelims.

Get the total lineup and bout order above.

Feb. 18: UFC 300 will solely add yet another combat.

After the UFC 298 combat card, UFC president Dana White introduced UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title towards former champion Jamahal Hill.

White stated they the final combat on the historic card shall be introduced at a later date.

Feb. 15: Place your wager on UFC 300 headliner

Degenerate gamblers in every single place, rejoice. Now you can place a wager on who will headline UFC 300.

Bovada on Thursday launched one set of odds on who will win the primary occasion sweepstakes for the April 13 pay-per-view card, and the wager is on Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad.

The welterweight title combat has been talked about a number of occasions in reference to UFC 300, however the promotion has not confirmed whether or not it’s going to land on the cardboard, a lot much less headline the blockbuster occasion.

Maybe conscious of the sentiment across the combat’s headliner-worthiness, Bovada set the combat as an underdog to prime the combat card at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas, with +165 odds for sure and -220 odds for no.

Feb. 14: Alexander Volkanovski to the rescue?

Alexander Volkanovski throws his hat into the ring.

With UFC 300 nonetheless missing a fundamental occasion, on Wednesday, at UFC 298 Media Day, the featherweight champion provided to step in and save the day similar to he did at UFC 294 when he got here in on brief discover to rematch Islam Makhachev.

“I feel they’re struggling nonetheless — perhaps, it looks as if they might be, I don’t know, wherever they’re — with UFC 300. I do know a man!” Volkanovski stated. “There’s loads of time. Simply so you understand that. Simply in case there’s something taking place. Dana, Hunter, you understand a man. I’m going to go do enterprise, spoil somebody’s get together — or a number of folks’s get together — after which I can come save the day, like I at all times do.”

Volkanovski faces Ilia Topuria in the primary occasion of UFC 298 this Saturday.

Feb. 13: Important occasion reveal at UFC 298?

The winner of the UFC 300 fundamental occasion sweepstakes might be introduced on Saturday, based on UFC CEO Dana White.

White told longtime MMA columnist Kevin Iole that the headliner of the April 13 pay-per-view may “in all probability” be introduced on the post-fight presser for UFC 298 on Saturday at Honda Heart in Anaheim, Calif.

“Perhaps I’ll announce it this weekend on the press convention,” White instructed Iole.

Followers, media and fighters have anxiously awaited the primary occasion announcement for UFC 300. Many fumed when White didn’t announce the combat through the Tremendous Bowl and speculated {that a} filming obligation he stated would take him away from the sport within the first quarter was linked to the headliner.

UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones just lately instructed Submission Radio he was provided the primary occasion however turned it down as a result of he needed extra time to get better from a pec damage that took him out of a title protection towards Stipe Miocic at UFC 295.

Feb. 12: 4 fluid choices for fundamental occasion

The principle occasion has not been introduced, and based on Ariel Helwani, issues “couldn’t be extra fluid” for what may shut the present for UFC 300. Nonetheless, some choices are being mentioned.

On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Helwani mentioned what he’s been listening to about what could take the coveted fundamental occasion spot. He reiterated a number of occasions that the choices don’t represent an official report.

Two of the choices have already been at play at sure factors for the cardboard — Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya, and Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad. However the latter is believed to be the final resort when it comes to what the promotion wish to put collectively, Helwani stated.

The opposite choices on the desk embody Khamzat Chimaev probably difficult for both the welterweight title towards Edwards or the middleweight title towards du Plessis.

Once more, to make it crystal clear, Helwani stated nothing is finished, nothing is agreed to, or within the works, or focused in the intervening time. Nevertheless it seems as if all 4 of these fights might be on the desk.

UPDATE: Khamzat Chimaev appears to be like ahead to preventing once more quickly, but it surely doesn’t seem he’ll be returning at UFC 300.

The undefeated Chechen addressed his future when talking to MMA Uncensored on Monday. It seems unhealthy timing will doubtless forestall his involvement with UFC 300 from taking place, as Chimaev observes Ramadan, which begins on March 10 and ends on April 9. Ramadan requires fasting, together with no meals or water in anyway, throughout daytime hours.

With UFC 300 happening simply 4 days after Ramadan ends, Chimaev says he’s simply not focused on that specific date.

“I’ll combat all people,” Chimaev stated. “Leon [Edwards], [Dricus] du Plessis, anybody, however not [during] Ramadan. I feel Ramadan [is during] UFC 300. Not preventing in Ramadan anymore.”

Feb. 11: Conor McGregor modifications course once more

A brand new day and a special Conor McGregor tweet.

After placing out on social media that the Tremendous Bowl would characteristic some form of UFC 300 announcement simply 24 hours prior, McGregor stated his return date could be this upcoming summer season as an alternative of April 13 for the milestone occasion. McGregor has repeatedly focused June 29 for Worldwide Combat Week for his subsequent journey to the Octagon, however Dana White stated the star’s return would doubtless be “within the fall.”

Feb. 10: Conor McGregor planting extra seeds for Tremendous Bowl Sunday announcement?

With the UFC 300 fundamental occasion spot at present stays empty and unknown, Conor McGregor is actually doing his half to maintain folks guessing.

McGregor, who introduced on New Yr’s Eve that his anticipated combat with Michael Chandler would happen June 29 throughout Worldwide Combat Week, took a second on Saturday to tease that an announcement concerning the headliner for the extremely anticipated April occasion may come as early as this Sunday on the Tremendous Bowl. McGregor’s trace got here on his Instagram tales with a video of Dana White saying the game’s largest star throughout one of many press conferences forward of his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.

Earlier this week, White instructed Pat McAfee that there’s no date locked down for McGregor’s return to the octagon towards Chandler, and that it hopefully occurs “within the fall.”

Feb. 10: Dana White teases two extra fights nonetheless to be introduced

The UFC 300 card is almost finalized, however an important combat hasn’t been introduced as the primary occasion stays a thriller.

UFC CEO Dana White promised that his group is difficult at work getting that combat booked, together with one different marquee matchup that he hopes to finalize as quickly as doable.

“Who is aware of who’s going to be the UFC 300 headliner,” White stated after Friday’s Power Slap event in Las Vegas. “We’ve been engaged on it. It’s been fascinating, I can let you know that. As a result of clearly we wish to ship. I preserve saying this [Deiveson] Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt is actually the primary combat of the evening. So for those who take a look at the cardboard the place it sits at this time, each single combat might be a fundamental occasion on a Combat Evening or a pay-per-view.

“We’ve acquired two extra fights that we’ve acquired to place collectively. We’re engaged on it.”

White admits that reserving the primary occasion hasn’t been simple, and if the combat was already carried out, he wouldn’t be holding it a secret. Because it stands, White can’t announce something as a result of a deal hasn’t been struck for the headliner, however he hopes to get that carried out quickly.

“I’d announce it now if we had it,” White stated. “We’ve gone by way of a whole lot of loopy s*** attempting to place this combat collectively. It’s been fascinating. No date [to announce it]. ASAP is the date.”

Feb. 8: Dana White proclaims occasion’s opening bout

UFC CEO Dana White remains to be attempting to place collectively the primary occasion for UFC 300, however he introduced what combat will kick off the huge April pay-per-view card, and it’s a battle between former UFC champs.

Whereas doing a slew of interviews on Radio Row throughout Tremendous Bowl week, White revealed that the bantamweight bout between Deiveson Figueiredo and Cody Garbrandt will begin the present at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.

“Each combat on the cardboard might be both the primary occasion of a Combat Evening or a pay-per-view,” White instructed the Las Vegas Review Journal on Wednesday. “We’re opening the cardboard… the primary prelim of the evening is Garbrandt vs. Figueiredo, what does that let you know?”

Figueiredo, the previous flyweight titleholder, makes his second bantamweight look. In his first bout since transferring as much as 135, Figueiredo delivered a improbable efficiency in a unanimous resolution victory over Rob Font.

After shedding 5 of six, Garbrandt has gained two straight, together with a first-round knockout victory towards Brian Kelleher at UFC 296 in December. A win will doubtless put the previous bantamweight champion again within the top-10 of the division.

Feb. 1: Israel Adesanya teases return at UFC 300 with social media submit

Whether or not or not Israel Adesanya goes to combat at UFC 300 or not, he has actually triggered a little bit of a stir on social media.

The previous two-time UFC middleweight champion posted to his Instagram story a graphic with a poster from the film “300,” saying merely, “The gods should be loopy.”

Try a picture of the submit beneath.

After Dricus du Plessis captured the middleweight title at UFC 297 with a cut up resolution win over Sean Strickland, hypothesis has been operating rampant that the long-awaited du Plessis vs. Adesanya matchup was proper there to headline UFC 300. As of now, no fundamental occasion has been introduced for the cardboard, however UFC CEO Dana White has been teasing a “loopy” announcement for the previous week.

Jan. 30: Dana White poses in entrance of UFC 300 matchmaker board

As of Jan. 29, there is no such thing as a UFC 300 fundamental occasion. However the occasion’s bout order seems to be shaping up.

Throughout a video shot by UFC influencer Nina Drama, UFC CEO Dana White posed in entrance of the matchmaking board for the April 13 pay-per-view occasion – and it’s nonetheless TBD vs. TBD on the prime of the cardboard.

Based on the bout order posted, it seems Kayla Harrison’s bantamweight UFC debut will headline the occasion’s preliminary card. The principle card is as follows:

TBD vs. TBD

Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan

Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway — BMF title combat

Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Drama turned the thriller right into a social media play, with White reportedly promising to get dosed by Crisco vegetable oil if the submit acquired 10,000 feedback and he didn’t announce the primary occasion this week.

Jan. 29: Georges St-Pierre shoots down rumors

Strike one other legend off the potential listing of surprises that might happen at UFC 300.

Former welterweight champion and all-time pound-for-pound nice Georges St-Pierre addressed rumors of a comeback at a latest Q&A Thailand, shutting down the potential of making a return to the octagon on April 13. Or ever.

“It’s a rumor, I’ve by no means been provided for a combat,” St-Pierre stated (h/t Bloody Elbow). “I’ve made that clear that I’ve no need of coming again to combat in blended martial arts.”

It’s unclear the place the chatter got here from that “GSP” would think about competing for the UFC after retiring in 2017, however St-Pierre flatly denied the rumor, noting that he’s focusing now on the occasional grappling match. St-Pierre was speculated to hit the mats with previous rival Nick Diaz at a UFC Combat Move Invitational occasion this previous December, however was pressured to withdraw attributable to damage.

Suffice to say, the door is firmly closed on ever seeing a GSP MMA combat once more.

“I’m 42 years previous,” St-Pierre stated. “I’m not the identical individual I was after I was competing. There was a time I had an unimaginable drive, I needed to develop into champion. Nothing on the earth may cease me. Like mentally, I used to be unstoppable. I had a loopy, loopy drive. If a door was closed, I used to be going to open one other door. If two doorways had been closed, I used to be going to get in by pressure. I used to be able to do virtually something to attain my objective, however I’m not that individual anymore.

“That starvation is gone. When that starvation is gone, I feel it’s an indication that it’s worthwhile to retire. Sadly a whole lot of fighters, they don’t comply with that signal and so they retire too late. I didn’t—I by no means needed to be a kind of guys.”

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Jan. 28: Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are at it once more

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are set for a summertime showdown… proper?

Followers could also be glued to social media for the subsequent couple of minutes as McGregor tweeted his interest in UFC 300, with Chandler answering the decision shortly after.

There’s no approach to inform what McGregor and the UFC even have deliberate as the previous two-division champion just lately introduced himself that he could be preventing Chandler in a middleweight bout on June 29 (the UFC is but to announce something formally for McGregor).

Chandler is locked into the matchup, however may McGregor shock the world with a shock combat at UFC 300 towards another person solely?

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Jan. 26: Dana White guarantees jaw-dropping fundamental occasion announcement

Dana White has promised followers that UFC 300 shall be as loaded as it may well presumably be, and whereas followers appear to imagine the primary occasion may see the rivalry between new champ Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya be settled, maybe issues may development in a special route.

Earlier this week on an Instagram reside, White stated that when it’s introduced, followers gained’t be prepared for it.

“You guys can’t deal with the primary occasion,” White stated. “We’re engaged on a few completely different choices. Belief me, the UFC 300 fundamental occasion goes to be loopy.”

Jan. 26: Strawweights take heart stage

One other combat has been added to the April 13 lineup because the promotion revealed that former champion Jessica Andrade will stay at strawweight to face Marina Rodriguez.

After each ladies put vicious beatings on their most up-to-date opponents, each Andrade and Rodriguez will look to get again into title competition in some of the constant divisions within the sport.

Jan. 24: Massive strikes

In a shocking announcement, two-time Olympic champion and two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison has jumped ship from PFL to face Holly Holm at UFC 300. Harrison, 33, is predicted to make her bantamweight debut after preventing her whole MMA profession at light-weight and featherweight. Holm, 42, is a former UFC bantamweight champion.

Additionally becoming a member of the cardboard is a battle between featherweight veteran Sodiq Yusuff and MMA Fighting’s 2023 Rookie of the Year Diego Lopes.

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Jan. 16: BMF title again up for grabs

In a shock transfer, UFC CEO Dana White introduced Tuesday that Justin Gaethje is ready to defend his BMF title towards Max Holloway in a light-weight matchup at UFC 300.

White additionally introduced that Jim Miller will get his want following his third-round submission of Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84. The present record-holder for probably the most bouts and wins in UFC historical past, Miller faces fellow longtime veteran Bobby Veteran in a light-weight bout on the cardboard, per White. Miller is capturing to develop into the one fighter to compete at UFC 100, UFC 200, and UFC 300.

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Jan. 12: Cody Garbrandt will get his want

UFC CEO Dana White introduced Friday a long-awaited matchup between former champions Cody Garbrandt and Deiveson Figueiredo is the most recent addition to UFC 300.

Garbrandt called for a matchup against Figueiredo following his newest knockout win over Brian Kelleher at UFC 296. The 2 former champions had been beforehand booked to fulfill in August 2020 with Garbrandt transferring down in weight and difficult for Figueiredo’s then-held flyweight title, nevertheless Garbrandt was pressured to drag out of the competition attributable to sickness.

Now they’ll get an opportunity to settle their enterprise on one of many largest playing cards of the 12 months.

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Jan. 13: Jim Miller calls out Paul Felder and Matt Brown following UFC Vegas 84 win

Jim Miller has been linked to UFC 300 for years, and there was one other hurdle he wanted to leap over, and that was his UFC Vegas 84 bout with Gabriel Benitez. Miller prolonged his UFC win document with a third-round submission victory, after which turned his consideration to the April pay-per-view occasion.

Following the win, “A-10” confirmed curiosity in preventing Paul Felder, who was doing commentary for the occasion, in addition to Matt Brown for a possible shootout on the historic card — together with a hilarious callout of Brock Lesnar.

Miller must be on the cardboard, and on the finish of the day, the opponent doesn’t actually matter, however both Felder or Brown could be glorious opponents for the veteran light-weight that competed at each UFC 100 and UFC 200.

Jan. 11: Nate Diaz desires to headline UFC 300 after lacking out on UFC 200

Nate Diaz could be focused on coming residence once more.

After he was initially scheduled to headline UFC 200 towards Conor McGregor again in 2016, Diaz now likes the thought of returning to his previous stomping grounds to probably function the UFC 300 fundamental occasion as an alternative.

Diaz took to Twitter on Thursday to tease the doable reunion after hitting free company following his final combat within the octagon — a win over Tony Ferguson in 2022.

“I used to be speculated to headline UFC 200,” Diaz wrote. “Headline UFC 300 could be higher.”

The unique plan for UFC 200 was to set with McGregor and Diaz squaring off in a rematch however the bout was finally delayed till UFC 202 two months later.

Diaz stays on good phrases with the promotion with UFC CEO Dana White usually saying that he would welcome the Stockton, Calif. native again if he ever needed to return. As UFC 300 continues to attend on a headliner, Diaz has not less than made a suggestion that his former bosses may need to contemplate.

Jan. 9: Alex Pereira says he’s ‘again,’ however will it’s at UFC 300?

Gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been connected to this card already along with his math equation that led to outstanding hypothesis.

Pereira posted to Instagram on Tuesday a photograph of himself with the championship wrapped round his waist with a caption of “DE VOLTA,” which translated says “BACK.”

Whereas an announcement hasn’t been made with regard to Pereira’s timeline, UFC 300 is at present with no fundamental occasion, and with Pereira ending 2023 which unimaginable momentum, the UFC may actually put “Poatan” in a spot to capitalize on it.

Jan. 7: Dana White proclaims Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan for UFC 300, confirms Dustin Poirier shall be at UFC 299

One former light-weight titleholder has been booked for UFC 300, whereas one other is now set to compete a month earlier.

UFC CEO Dana White formally introduced that Charles Oliveira is ready to combat Arman Tsarukyan in a bout that is expected to determine the next challenger for light-weight champion Islam Makhachev. In his announcement, White stated that he expects Makhachev to return to competitors someday this summer season.

White additionally confirmed that former interim champion Dustin Poirier is not going to be competing at UFC 300. Poirier had beforehand shot down the potential of a combat with Nate Diaz at UFC 300, and he as an alternative fights fast-rising contender Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 on March 9. The bout is ready for 5 rounds and is scheduled to be the co-main occasion, with bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley defending his title towards rival Marlon “Chito” Vera within the headliner.

Jan. 4: Dana White says extra matchups to be introduced quickly

Throughout an IG reside on Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White was requested about what else might be on the UFC 300 card.

White, who has been touring, stated that he returns to Las Vegas within the subsequent few days, and that he shall be saying extra matchups “on Tuesday.” White didn’t say something about whether or not or not the primary occasion, or any of the top-of-the-bill bouts could be introduced, but it surely seems as if the present three-fight slate shall be increasing.

Jan. 3: Dustin Poirier guidelines out Nate Diaz rematch

If Dustin Poirier competes at UFC 300, it gained’t be towards Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz.

Poirier dominated out a conflict with Diaz in a single day with “it ain’t taking place.” Poirier has been linked to a showdown with Diaz for years now, however for no matter motive, the 2 fighters have by no means met within the Octagon.

Dec. 31: Conor McGregor might be out for UFC 300

Conor McGregor, arguably the UFC’s hottest star, doubtless gained’t compete on the large occasion. The previous two-division UFC champion has plans to finally fight Michael Chandler throughout Worldwide Combat Week on June 29.

The UFC has but to announce the combat.

Dec. 31: Leon Edwards places belt on line at UFC 300

Leon Edwards believes he will compete at UFC 300. The UFC welterweight champion made the announcement throughout a soccer match and thinks he’ll return for a summer season occasion in Birmingham, England, as effectively.

Dec. 23: Nate Diaz comeback?

Nate Diaz’s UFC days won’t be carried out.

In a short social media submit, Diaz teased having curiosity in returning to the promotion he referred to as residence for 15 years, writing, “UFC 300 could be tight however there’s no person to combat.”

Diaz parted methods with the UFC following a win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022, with the bout marking the expiration of his contract. The cut up seemed to be an amicable one, regardless of Diaz often having a contentious relationship with the promotion and UFC CEO Dana White, and the octagon doorways have remained open for a Diaz return.

Since parting methods with the UFC, Diaz was capable of e book a profitable boxing match towards Jake Paul, who defeated Diaz by unanimous resolution this previous August.

It’s too early to say for positive if Diaz has real curiosity in preventing at UFC 300, however a pair of light-weight contenders have already volunteered their companies ought to he come again. Dustin Poirier not-so-subtly referred to as Diaz out to probably put the bow on a matchup that was as soon as set to be resolved at UFC 230 earlier than Poirier withdrew attributable to an damage, and Michael Chandler additionally talked about Diaz as an possibility as he continues his interminable look forward to a combat with Conor McGregor.

Dec. 23: Izzy vs. Khamzat?

Israel Adesanya may fight before 2027 after all. The previous UFC middleweight king may additionally have a dance companion within the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.

Chimaev, who just lately defeated Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, put his hat into the ring for Adesanya with a pair of Instagram slides on Saturday.

Dec. 23: Tom Aspinall followers the flames

With Jon Jones on the shelf for the close to future, Tom Aspinall doesn’t wish to wait till the tip of 2024 for his return to the Octagon. He responded to UFC mild heavyweight Alex Pereira’s latest math equation along with his personal graphic on his IG story.

Dec. 21: Dana White proclaims first three fights for UFC 300

On Thursday evening, UFC CEO Dana White introduced the occasion’s first three fights. Though he didn’t announce the primary occasion, White did reveal that former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will formally make the transfer as much as featherweight to face the damaging Calvin Kattar.

Moreover, former mild heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka will return for the second time in 5 months following restoration from a shoulder damage and can face Aleksandar Rakic, and tremendous prospect Bo Nickal will make his third octagon look towards Cody Brundage. White additionally stated he plans to announce extra bouts for the cardboard after the brand new 12 months.

Dec. 21: Alex Pereira’s fight algebra drawback, and a doable heavyweight transfer?

Alex Pereira has already damaged the game (and the way in which rankings are carried out) endlessly. Pereira started 2023 on the receiving finish of the possible Knockout of the Yr when he misplaced the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 in April, solely to maneuver as much as 205 kilos, beat a former champion, after which seize the vacant title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. In simply seven UFC fights — and 11 professional MMA bouts whole — Pereira is a two-division UFC champion. However is that sufficient?

On Thursday, Pereira went to his Instagram tales and posted a math drawback with a pondering emoji that learn 30 + 300 = 3. I’m actually no math professional, however I do know that the reply doesn’t match within the equation — so what’s Pereira attempting to say?

Many individuals imagine that Pereira is teasing a transfer to heavyweight: Achieve 30 kilos, combat at UFC 300, win a 3rd divisional title. If that’s what he means, would he combat heavyweight Jon Jones or 30-year-old (!) interim champ Tom Aspinall? Contemplating what the UFC has been telling us, and simply utilizing logic, this doesn’t appear to make a whole lot of sense. However perhaps that’s the fantastic thing about it — a swerve, if you’ll — to throw folks off for this mega card.

One other manner you possibly can take a look at the issue is that Pereira has 30 knockouts in his fight sports activities profession, desires to combat at UFC 300, and perhaps the “3” means an MMA trilogy combat with Adesanya. No matter Pereira is attempting to say, it might quickly be revealed.

Dec. 17: Dustin Poirier calls out Nate Diaz for UFC 300?

The day after the UFC’s ultimate pay-per-view of the 12 months, Poirier continued to tease competing at UFC 300, earlier than throwing out a reputation on social media — his longtime rival Nate Diaz.

Diaz fought out his UFC contract at UFC 279 in September, the place he stopped Tony Ferguson in the primary occasion. Since then, the famous person fighter misplaced a unanimous resolution to Jake Paul in a boxing match in August, and has but to disclose his subsequent transfer.

Personally talking, and with so many components in play, I doubt Diaz returns for UFC 300, and primarily based on the lay of the land, I’m fairly assured Diaz will combat within the first half of 2024 but it surely gained’t be within the UFC. Essentially the most notable issue is that Diaz just isn’t on the roster, or part of the group in any manner. Diaz is a star, and he could make a ton of cash competing outdoors of the octagon, scratching any and all itches in fight sports activities. Whereas I’ll by no means say by no means, given the present lay of the land, I might be shocked if it occurs.

Poirier actually could have different choices, together with surging contender Arman Tsarukyan, who’s recent off of a 64-second knockout of Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin.

Nov. 7: Dustin Poirier eyes return at UFC 300

In an interview with MMA Combating, Poirier stated that he’s hoping for a combat that excites him, which would come with the chance to combat at UFC 300.

“My present mindset, I’d combat in six weeks, I’d combat in eight weeks if the combat made sense and I used to be enthusiastic about it,” Poirier instructed MMA Combating. “However aside from that, I feel an opportunity to combat on UFC 300 is a giant deal.

“I’ve been within the UFC since UFC 125 and I missed 200. Know I’m not gonna be round for 400, so it’s sort of a cool alternative if it comes collectively, however I actually haven’t any clue of my my return date or timeframe, however UFC 300 is engaging.”

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