Alex Pereira makes a compelling argument for being the UFC’s second-biggest star. The sunshine heavyweight champion outclassed Jiri Prochazka of their short-notice rematch at UFC 303 earlier than delivering a highlight-reel knockout. Pereira wishes to struggle at heavyweight however one impediment stays at 205 kilos.
Pereira and Diego Lopes have been arguably the most important fan-favorites heading into Worldwide Combat Week’s large pay-per-view. They channeled that goodwill into successful performances that can meaningfully advance their careers. Ian Machado Garry is one other fighter tending in the suitable route after beating Michael “Venom” Web page. The divisive fighter boasts the longest energetic win streak within the UFC welterweight division and is tied for third all-time with welterweight champ Leon Edwards.
Worldwide Combat Week is formally over however we’re solely midway by means of the yr. Have a look under at fights matchmakers ought to eye carefully heading into the second half of 2024.
Mild heavyweight
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev: Pereira is brief on attractive opponents at gentle heavyweight. That can spur conversations a couple of transfer to heavyweight. however I do not care to see it till Tom Aspinall will get his overdue undisputed title unifier. Ankalaev is essentially the most deserving contender and shall be a significant check of the champ’s grappling. A win over Ankalaev clears Pereira of his 205-pound obligations and hopefully offers time for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic to come back to fruition. If the celebs align, an undisputed heavyweight title struggle between Aspinall and Pereira makes good sense subsequent yr.
Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill: Respect to Prochazka for rescuing UFC 303, however he did it to his profession’s detriment. Prochazka solely had a number of weeks to review what went improper in his first loss to Pereira. It wasn’t sufficient. Prochazka is now successfully locked out of a title struggle whereas Pereira is champion and suffered a doubtlessly career-altering KO loss. Jan Blachowicz would not have a timetable for his restoration from a shoulder harm however a struggle between Prochazka and Hill needs to be enjoyable. It is an thrilling assembly between strikers that permits the winner to rebuild.
Welterweight
Ian Machado Garry vs. Colby Covington: I used to be ready to reward Garry with a struggle in opposition to No. 1 ranked UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman with a decisive win over Web page. Sadly, he narrowly defeated a lower-ranked contender in a boring struggle that would have gone Web page’s manner had he not made poor tactical selections. Garry deserves to struggle up the ladder after defending his spot however I would keep away from pitting him in opposition to different rising contenders Shavkat Rakmonov or Jack Della Maddalena. I am not a fan of killing off contenders. The construct between Garry and Covington could be unbearable, however at the very least the UFC can assure trash speak. A struggle in opposition to the winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady can be appropriate.
Michael Web page vs. Vicente Luque or Nick Diaz: Web page made careless errors, notably by relinquishing prime place midway by means of a swing spherical. MVP continues to be an asset to the promotion. He tried to make the struggle thrilling however could not maintain Garry off him. MVP additionally took the division’s No. 7 ranked contender to a aggressive determination. The winner of Luque vs. Diaz on Aug. 3 shall be carefully ranked to Web page. Luque is mostly an all-action fighter who compliments Web page’s type; in the meantime, a Diaz struggle is a fantasy reserving you would not assume potential.
Featherweight
Diego Lopes vs. Josh Emmett: Credit score to Lopes. His short-notice featherweight struggle with Brian Ortega was bumped to light-weight on Thursday and subsequently moved to a 165-pound catchweight in opposition to Ige on 4 hours’ discover. A win over Ortega would have thrusted Lopes into title competition however a aggressive win over Ige slows his progress. A struggle between Lopes (No. 14) and Emmett (No. 7) feels like gangbusters. Emmett is coming off an all-time KO of Bryce Mitchell that earned him a KO of the 12 months honorable point out. It could be unfair to have Emmett struggle contenders behind him in back-to-back appearances, however Lopes is without doubt one of the extra widespread fighters within the division. It is an ideal probability for Emmett to construct momentum in a struggle that ought to produce a spotlight.
Dan Ige vs. Edson Barboza 2: Ige did the UFC an enormous favor and needs to be rewarded. Ige defeated Barboza by way of cut up determination in 202. That is lengthy sufficient to warrant a rematch contemplating their standings within the featherweight division. There aren’t many different viable choices for Ige except he desires to struggle an unranked opponent and that would not be truthful after he stepped in for Ortega hours earlier than Saturday’s co-main occasion.
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