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- The UFC 300 Main Event Development
Highlights
- UFC 300 is still without a main event, but the anticipated lineup includes exciting matchups like Holm vs. Harrison and Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan.
- Rumored headlining events for UFC 300 include Lesnar's return, Rousey's comeback, and St Pierre's participation, but more realistic fights are expected to take the spotlight.
- Possible main event matchups for UFC 300 could include O'Malley vs. Horiguchi, Aspinall vs. Pereira, Chimaev vs. du Plessis, Edwards vs. Muhammad II, or Adesanya vs. Pereira III.
The historic UFC 300 card going down in April and it is still without a main event. As is the case with the preceding UFC 100 and UFC 200 milestone events, this card is expected to be stacked. The impressive lineup includes highly anticipated matchups such as Holly Holm versus Kayla Harrison and Charles Oliveira against Arman Tsarukyan. Additionally, fans can expect an exciting Women's Strawweight Championship bout between Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan. The card is further bolstered by thrilling additions like Jiri Prochazka versus Aleksandar Rakic and Aljamain Sterling taking on Calvin Kattar.
Some of the rumored headlining events include Brock Lesnar's return along with stars of old who are retired such as Ronda Rousey and Georges St Pierre. However, there are more realistic fights in the cards for the main event.
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The UFC 300 Main Event Development
Since the publication of the list, several fighters who were initially considered for the main event of UFC 300 have been scheduled for other bouts or book on the undercard. Additionally, UFC CEO Dana White has denied some potential matchups, although this does not necessarily mean they won't materialize as the main event announcement looms. With the UFC recently under hot water for announcing fights before they are signed, the possiblilties for UFC 300 main event are endless but some are more likely to come to fruition than others.
Sean O'Malley vs. RIZIN Champion Kyoji Horiguchi Is Very Unlikely
Dana White Has Been Seen Meeting With Rizin President Nobuyuki Sakakibara
Sean O'Malley | Kyoji Horiguchi |
|---|---|
5'11" | 5'5" |
135 Pounds | 135 Pounds |
17-1 (1 NC) (Pre-Fight Record) | 32-5 (1 NC) (Pre-Fight Record) |
Alright, hold on for this one. In recent weeks, Dana White has been seen meeting with RIZIN boss, Nobuyuki Sakakibara. Many, quickly assumed that the two could be meeting over a potential deal involving Kyoji Horiguchi. Following his title win in December, he announced plans to return to the UFC.
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley is set to face Marlon Vera in March at UFC 299, he could conceivably make a quick turnaround for this bout but the UFC 300 main event will be announced long before O'Malley steps into the cage with Vera.
Alex Pereira vs. Former UFC Champion Jamahal Hill
'Sweet Dreams' Never Lost The Title In The Cage
Alex Pereira | Jamahal Hill |
|---|---|
6'4" | 6'4" |
205 Pounds | 205 Pounds |
9-2 (Pre-Fight Record) | 12-1 (1 NC) (Pre-Fight Record) |
Last summer, UFC light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill famously vacated his title due to injury. Later in the year, Alex Pereira scored a knockout win over Jiri Prochazka, to win the vacant championship.
'Poatan' has shown interest in fighting at UFC 300, and 'Sweet Dreams' is a logical opponent. Hill never lost the title in the cage, and he seems to be on track for a return soon.
Dricus du Plessis Vs. The Returning Israel Adesanya
'The Last Stylebender' Has Teased A UFC 300 Return
Dricus du Plessis | Israel Adesanya |
|---|---|
6'0" | 6'4" |
185 Pounds | 185 Pounds |
21-2 (Pre-Fight Record) | 24-3 (Pre-Fight Record) |
Israel Adesanya famously announced a hiatus following a loss to Sean Strickland last September. However, almost as soon as he made that announcement, he began to tease a comeback. Late last month, Adesanya took to social media, to tease a return at UFC 300.
Obviously, Dricus du Plessis would be a perfect opponent for his return. Their staredown in the cage last July was heated, and the rivalry between the two needs to be settled.
The Return Of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
Dana White Pours Cold Water On 'The Notorious' Returning At UFC 300
Conor McGregor | Michael Chandler |
|---|---|
5'9" | 5'8" |
155 Pounds | 155 Pounds |
22-6 (Pre-Fight Record) | 23-8 (Pre-Fight Record) |
As previously reported on The Sportster, if Dana White is too be believed, McGregor won't return until the fall and even then it's not guaranteed. However, White has not detailed the reason for McGregor's delayed return; therefore, a potential shock announcement of McGregor and Chandler headlining the event is still in the cards.
Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway For The 'BMF' Title Is Not The Main Event So Far
'The Highlight' And 'Blessed' Are Booked For UFC 300
Max Holloway | Justin Gaethje |
|---|---|
5'11" | 5'11" |
145 Pounds | 155 Pounds |
25-7 (Pre-Fight Record) | 20-4 (Pre-Fight Record) |
Earlier this year, Justin Gaethje claimed the ceremonial 'BMF' title with a knockout win over Dustin Poirier. Following the stoppage victory, Max Holloway called to meet 'The Highlight' up at lightweight.
While Gaethje initially came out against a fight with Holloway, Dana White announced the matchup between the pair. A BMF title fight has been the main event twice in the past. Therefore, it is possible that the fight could be upgraded to the main event.
Alexa Grasso vs. Zhang Weili At Flyweight If Yan Xiaonan Pulls Out
Zhang Weili Is Booked To Fight Yan Xiaonan At UFC 300
Alexa Grasso | Zhang Weili |
|---|---|
5'5" | 5'4" |
125 Pounds | 115 Pounds |
16-3-1 (Pre-Fight Record) | 24-3 (Pre-Fight Record) |
Alexa Grasso is currently waiting for her next assignment. Coming off a controversial draw with Valentina Shevchenko in September, the expectation was that they would meet again in 2024.
Strawweight champion Zhang Weili is set to defend her title against Yan Xiaonan in the first all Chinese title fight. If Xiaonan pulls out of the fight with an injury Grasso could step in to take on the champion. However, considering the negative reaction to Zhang vs. Xiaonan on social media, it is very unlikely for the potential matchup to headline the historic card.
Tom Aspinall's First Heavyweight Interim Title Defense
The Brit Has Repeatedly Called To Fight At UFC 300
- Tom Aspinall earned interim gold in November.
- Since then, he's repeatedly called to fight at UFC 300.
- He could defend the title against a heavyweight contender.
Tom Aspinall captured the interim heavyweight championship with a knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich in November. Following the win, he called out Jon Jones. However, with 'Bones' on the sidelines, Aspinall seems primed to face someone else.
There are several potenital matchups for Aspinall that could be inticing at a main event at UFC 300 and there is more on that on this list.
Khamzat Chimeav Fights For The Middleweight Title
'Borz' Won A Title Eliminator Last October
- Khamzat Chimaev hasn't fought since October.
- The win over Kamaru Usman earned him a title shot.
- He could face Dricus du Plessis in April.
Love him or hate him, Khamzat Chimaev has a title shot in waiting. In October, he defeated his short-notice replacement, former UFC champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. That bout was hyped as a title eliminator, and 'Borz' is now awaiting his shot.
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In the UFC, these fights produced some of the worst UFC performances by fighters in 2023.Chimaev was later passed up for a title shot by Dricus du Plessis, who previously won his own title eliminator last July. With 'Stillknocks' defeating Sean Strickland last month, the South African could make a turnaround to face the Chechen at UFC 300.
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad II
'Rocky' Has Already Revealed Plans To Return At UFC 300
Leon Edwards | Belal Muhammad |
|---|---|
6'0" | 5'10" |
170 Pounds | 170 Pounds |
22-3 (1NC) (Pre-Fight Record) | 23-3 (1NC) (Pre-Fight Record) |
Leon Edwards is fresh off another title defense in December, defeating Colby Covington. Following the victory, he was linked to a bout with Belal Muhammad. The two previously fought to a no-contest in 2021, in a bout that 'Rocky' was dominating until an eye poke.
This bout would not exactly be the big draw the UFC is looking for in terms of a main event. Still, you could do a lot worse than a dominant champion riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak facing a rival riding a 10-fight undefeated streak.
Tom Aspinall vs. Alex Pereira At Heavyweight
This Matchup Has Been Hinted At Lately
Tom Aspinall | Alex Pereira |
|---|---|
6'5" | 6'4" |
262 Pounds | 205 Pounds |
14-3 (Pre-Fight Record) | 9-2 (Pre-Fight Record) |
Yes, a normal Tom Aspinall title defense has already been discussed. However, he's already been linked to a potential superfight with the newly crowned light-heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira.
This fight would be a bit out of nowhere, but it makes sense to a degree. It offers 'Poatan' to make history as the first man to win UFC gold in three different weight classes. It also allows Aspinall to make the first defense of his title reign, in a massive matchup. Alex Pereira has teased a move up to heavyweight but, as previously reported on The Sportster, Aspinall has stated that there are no talks about the pair locking horns at UFC 300 despite the hype surrounding the potential fight.
The Return Of Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar
The Beast Competed At UFC 100, and UFC 200 Previously
- Brock Lesnar hasn't fought since a UFC 200 Win over Mark Hunt.
- He hasn't been seen in the WWE since August.
- As of now, his return hasn't been announced.
Jim Miller famously plans to be the only man to fight at UFC 100, 200, and 300. While 'A-10' would be a massive addition, the only other possible fighter who could do it is Brock Lesnar. Dana White has already shot this down, but don't believe his lies.
Jokes aside, it's more possible than many think. Lesnar hasn't been seen on WWE television since August and has no timetable for his return. Combine that with the fact that both the wrestling company and UFC make up the TKO Group, they could have a crossover.
However, in light of the Janel Grant lawsuit against the WWE, Lesnar's return is unlikely. While Lesnar wasn't named in the suit, The Wall Street Journallater identified the wrestler as the man whom Vince McMahon tried to coerce the victim into having a sexual relationship with.
Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate III At Featherweight
Much Like Lesnar, 'Rowdy' Has No Scheduled Appearances
Ronda Rousey | Miesha Tate |
|---|---|
5'7" | 5'6" |
135 Pounds | 135 Pounds |
12-2 (Pre-Fight Record) | 20-9 (Pre-Fight Record) |
Ronda Rousey seemed completely, 100% done with fighting after her loss to Amanda Nunes in late 2016. While she never announced retirement, she stated it was unlikely. However, with 'Rowdy' not wrestling at the moment, she has an opening in her schedule.
Furthermore, there have been some murmurs about Rousey returning to fighting over the last year or so. In the event that she does, a trilogy fight with longtime rival Miesha Tate makes a lot of sense. They're both older, former champions, with a great history.
Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira III At Light-Heavyweight
'The Last Stylebender' And 'Poatan' Meet One Final Time
Israel Adesanya | Alex Pereira |
|---|---|
6'4" | 6'4" |
185 Pounds | 205 Pounds |
24-3 (Pre-Fight Record) | 9-2 (Pre-Fight Record) |
Following Israel Adesanya's loss to Sean Strickland late last year, he announced plans to take a lengthy hiatus. However, just a few months later, his longtime rival Alex Pereira called him out after winning light-heavyweight gold.
Honestly, this fight is the perfect headliner if they can get both men to agree to it. It's arguably the greatest ongoing feud in MMA, and UFC 300 is the perfect place to end it.
