We’re finally here, halfway through fight week in ‘Sin City’ as UFC 300 fast approaches. The Super Bowl weekend for MMA is upon us.
UFC 299 was hailed as one of the greatest cards (on paper) of all time, but this takes the cake. UFC 300 is undoubtedly the most stacked UFC card, ever.
12 current or former champions, the most ranked fighters on a card ever, an eagerly anticipated UFC debut, record holders here, there, and everywhere, what isn’t there to absolutely love about UFC 300?
Here are the five fights I’m most excited for, and the fights that I think are the best from an incredible bunch.
The fact I have left out the co-main event between Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan is not reflective of that fight, it’s a huge fight for women’s MMA, but I don’t think it’s competitive enough and I see Weili dominating.
5. Deiveson Figueiredo vs Cody Garbrandt
This one may come as a surprise to many that it makes it into my top five.
The first fight of the entire night is between two former champions, Cody Garbrandt and Deiveson Figueiredo. ‘No Love’ has become the forgotten man at bantamweight after a rough stint, but he has the chance to shake things up again.
Despite a red patch where he couldn’t seem to buy a win, Garbrandt is always in exciting fights because you know he’s going to bite down on the mouthpiece and throw his hands faster than anyone else ever has. Back-to-back wins over Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher have finally reinvigorated a bit of confidence back into the 32-year-old.
These two were previously booked to fight for the flyweight title back in 2020, but the American tore his bicep and had to withdraw.
The Brazilian finally moved up to bantamweight for his last fight and emerged in the title picture straightaway with a win over Rob Font.
‘God Of War’ is Figueiredo’s nickname for a reason. He possesses one of the most exciting fight styles in the sport, and pairing that with the bad blood between these two, it’s going to be utterly epic.
4. Holly Holm vs Kayla Harrison
UFC debuts don’t get much bigger than this.
Kayla Harrison will finally put on the UFC gloves this Saturday for the first time as she tries to secure what would likely be an immediate title shot, with a win over Holly Holm.
42-year-old Holm still has a little left to give but is likely nearing the end of her nine-year UFC tenure. “The Preacher’s Daughter” has her work cut out for her in this one.
As long as Kayla Harrison makes weight healthily, she will pose an extremely tough test for the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion.
After fighting in the PFL for the last six years, Harrison has become accustomed to not being able to use her elbows – it is not permitted in PFL’s ruleset – but now, she can sharpen them and throw them as much as she wants.
This one ranks fourth on my list because of the complete intrigue surrounding Harrison’s UFC debut.
3. Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill
The main event only ranking third on my list tells you everything about how incredibly stacked this card is.
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Although it’s the main event, I don’t think Jamahal Hill is a UFC 300 main-event fighter. ‘Poatan’ on the other hand certainly is. Alex Pereira has become one of the promotion’s biggest stars since his debut just three years ago.
From debuting three years ago to headlining one the biggest UFC events thus far in the promotion’s history. Hell, he even got given his own custom shorts by the UFC ahead of this title defense against ‘Sweet Dreams’.
Despite this being third on my list, that is entirely because of Pereira. If Jamahal Hill was still the champion and he was defending the belt against the likes of Magomed Ankalaev or Jiri Prochazka, I’d think it was a travesty.
It is definitely a more competitive fight than it’s getting credit for and it will likely be very exciting for as long as it lasts.
2. Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan
Since it was announced, I have been salivating over this matchup. Considering the talent of both of these lightweights, it could quite easily be for an undisputed title, but it’s not. At least not now.
With this being such an intriguing matchup and bearing such importance at the top of the 155lb division, that’s why it is coming in second on my list. The winner of this fight, likely secures themselves a title shot for their next fight, upping the stakes.
This is a stylistic chess match as both ‘Do Bronx’ and Tsarukyan are extremely well-rounded.
Charles Oliveira could potentially become the first fighter in UFC history to get to 20 post-fight bonuses, depending on how this one ends. Not only that, but he could extend his submission record of 16, with him already being statistically the greatest submission artist in UFC history.
Arman Tsarukyan is a freakishly athletic fighter whose bread and butter is his wrestling. Knowing the threat of the Brazilian on the ground, we could see the Armenian stand and bang with Oliveira, which will make for complete cinema.
1. Justin Gaethje vs Max Holloway
Fighters like Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje are as scarce as a hen’s teeth. To get to see them fight each other is almost unheard of.
Although this isn’t for an official undisputed title and is for the gimmick of being labeled as the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’, only makes it better. If any two fighters in UFC history deserved that title, it would be these two.
Max Holloway has an undefeated chin, it’s granite and it has never let him down. Justin Gaethje though can likely crack granite. ‘Blessed’ has never been knocked down, let alone knocked out. With this only being Holloway’s second fight at lightweight during his UFC tenure, it adds to the intrigue.
Both of these two fighters hold records of their own. The 32-year-old Hawaiian holds the record for the most strikes landed in UFC history. Gaethje similarly holds the record for the highest significant strike accuracy percentage in UFC lightweight history.
‘The Highlight’ has also accumulated 12 post-fight bonuses over 12 fights, a 100% bonus rate. He is simply in a league of his own when it comes to giving the fans exactly what they want.
It’s not just the BMF title on the line in this one though, the winner will likely make Dana White’s job a little bit harder when he tries to figure out who is next to fight for the lightweight title.
Seeing Max Holloway finally fight in his Hawaiian shorts will be a piece of history.
UFC 300 is the type of event that has the capability of changing the landscape of MMA in the long run.
Buckle up folks, this is going to be epic.