UFC 300 fight card and rumor tracker: Alex Pereira says he’s ‘back’

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

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

With 4 title fights already on the books for the primary quarter of the yr, 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 a variety of instructions the UFC might go when it comes to reserving potential blockbuster fights.

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

For now, maintain this web page bookmarked: We’ll have a rundown of each battle introduced, rumors, athletes elevating their arms and calling their photographs, and extra.

Jan. 9: Alex Pereira says he’s ‘again,’ however will or not it’s at UFC 300?

Gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been hooked up to this card already together with his math equation that led to exceptional 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 reference to Pereira’s timeline, UFC 300 is presently with no important occasion, and with Pereira ending 2023 which unbelievable momentum, the UFC might actually put “Poatan” in a spot to capitalize on it.

Jan. 7: Dana White pronounces Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan for UFC 300, confirms Dustin Poirier might 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 battle 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 time.

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 for a battle with Nate Diaz at UFC 300, and he as a substitute 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 in opposition to 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 might be saying extra matchups “on Tuesday.” White didn’t say something about whether or not or not the principle occasion, or any of the top-of-the-bill bouts can be introduced, however it seems as if the present three-fight slate might be increasing.

Jan. 3: Dustin Poirier guidelines out Nate Diaz rematch

If Dustin Poirier competes at UFC 300, it received’t be in opposition to Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz.

Poirier dominated out a conflict with Diaz in a single day with “it ain’t occurring.” Poirier has been linked to a showdown with Diaz for years now, however for no matter purpose, 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, possible received’t compete on the huge occasion. The previous two-division UFC champion has plans to finally fight Michael Chandler throughout Worldwide Battle Week on June 29.

The UFC has but to announce the battle.

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 time occasion in Birmingham, England, as nicely.

Dec. 23: Nate Diaz comeback?

Nate Diaz’s UFC days won’t be completed.

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

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 in a position to ebook a profitable boxing match in opposition to Jake Paul, who defeated Diaz by unanimous resolution this previous August.

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

Dec. 23: Izzy vs. Khamzat?

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

Chimaev, who not too long ago 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 gentle heavyweight Alex Pereira’s current math equation together with his personal graphic on his IG story.

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

On Thursday night time, UFC CEO Dana White introduced the occasion’s first three fights. Though he didn’t announce the principle 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 gentle 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 in opposition to Cody Brundage. White additionally stated he plans to announce extra bouts for the cardboard after the brand new yr.

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

Alex Pereira has already damaged the game (and the way in which rankings are completed) without end. 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 downside with a pondering emoji that learn 30 + 300 = 3. I’m actually no math skilled, however I do know that the reply doesn’t match within the equation — so what’s Pereira attempting to say?

Many individuals consider that Pereira is teasing a transfer to heavyweight: Acquire 30 kilos, battle at UFC 300, win a 3rd divisional title. If that’s what he means, would he battle 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 numerous sense. However possibly that’s the great thing about it — a swerve, if you’ll — to throw folks off for this mega card.

One other manner you may have a look at the issue is that Pereira has 30 knockouts in his fight sports activities profession, needs to battle at UFC 300, and possibly the “3” means an MMA trilogy battle 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 yr, 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 principle occasion. Since then, the celebrity 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 elements in play, I doubt Diaz returns for UFC 300, and primarily based on the lay of the land, I’m fairly assured Diaz will battle within the first half of 2024 however it received’t be within the UFC. Essentially the most notable issue is that Diaz will not be 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 battle that excites him, which would come with the chance to battle at UFC 300.

“My present mindset, I’d battle in six weeks, I’d battle in eight weeks if the battle made sense and I used to be enthusiastic about it,” Poirier instructed MMA Combating. “However aside from that, I feel an opportunity to battle 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 form of a cool alternative if it comes collectively, however I truthfully haven’t any clue of my my return date or time-frame, however UFC 300 is attractive.”

Present UFC 300 battle card:

Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar

Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage