(photo courtesy CBS Sports)
In the words of Bruce Buffer, IT’S TIME, for the biggest fight in UFC history, or at least, that’s how it was promoted. UFC 300 presented fans with plenty to be excited about, with multiple title fights and fighters who have become the face of MMA. And needless to say, the fight card president Dana White put together gave fans something to be desired.
Many fight fans, including myself, where expecting to see the return of the mac, the Notorious, Connor McGregor, against his Ultimate Fighter co-star Michael Chandler. Both fighters confirmed a catchweight at 182 lbs., and a fight has been rumored for almost a year now. But Dana White must’ve had something else in mind for this fight card.
Nevertheless, this event will be a great night of fights, with fighters looking to claim belts and bring themselves back into the spotlight of the mma world. I’m just going to keep this breakdown to the main card, which is one of the most stacked in recent memory.
Bo Nickal 5-0 (USA) vs. Cody Brundage 10-5 (USA)
The main card begins with a middleweight fight that can shake up the rankings in a division that has become competitive in the recent years. Bo Nickal is a 3-time wrestling national champion form Penn State, who made the jump to MMA and never looked back, completing 5 finishes all in the first round. Now his 3rd fight in the UFC officially, facing off against a fellow wrestler in Cody Brundage, who has shown his punching power with multiple KO’s.
This can be an explosive wrestling match between two fighters looking to join the rankings. There’s a reason Bo Nickal is the first fight on this main card. The UFC probably thinks that Nickal is on his way to being a champion. His winning form continues with a win over Brundage.
Charles Olivera 34-9 (BRAZIL) vs. Arman Tsarukyan 21-3 (ARMENIA)
The main card continues with a lightweight bout between 2 experienced fighters. Olivera, a jiu-jitsu master, will be looking to put himself back in the title conversation, after losing the belt to Islam Machachev. Arman is 7 years younger but brings plenty of experience to the octagon. He’s only lost 2 fights in the UFC; both were unanimous decisions.
Both fighters are capable of lightning-fast knockouts, as well as being able to bring the fight to the canvas. Olivera is a very reckless fighter, charging forward towards his opponent. Tsarukyan is more calculated, who can create windows and capitalize on opportunities. It can truly go either way. This is Arman Tsarukyan’s biggest fight of his career, and a win can propel him into lightweight title conversations. He’s the better wrestler and puncher, so he’ll be getting the win over Olivera.
BMF Title: Justin Gaethje 25-4 (USA) vs Max Holloway 25-7 (USA)
Our first title fight of the night is between 2 of the UFC’s fan favorites. Max Holloway is coming off a masterclass performance against the Korean Zombie in Singapore, while Gaethje is fresh off his BMF title fight against Diamond Dustin Poirier. This has the chance to be the fight of the night.
Max is more agile, faster, and quick on his feet. Gaethje just has more power behind his punches and uses his reluctance of his wrestling game to keep opponents on their feet. It is going to be a bloodbath, with both fighters looking to create openings and land a haymaker. Holloway hasn’t held a belt since his defense in 2019, with a win over Frankie Edgar. Since then, he’s lost all 3 title fights to Alexander Volkanovski. Gaethje is in a similar boat, last losing his title fight to previously mentioned Charles Olivera. Both guys have a chip on their shoulders, with hopes of earning a title belt in the near future.
Gaethje has only gone up since winning the UFC reality show “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2017. He can continue to climb back up to holding the lightweight title. He’ll be getting his hand raised after the fight against Holloway.
Strawweight Title: Zhang Weili 24-3 (China) vs Yan Xiaonan 17-3 (China)
Next on the fight card is a women’s title fight between belt holder Zhang Weili and number one strawweight contender Yan Xiaonon.
Xiaonon is getting her first UFC title shot, and it’s against one of the most intimidating women in all of UFC. She is a great fighter in her own right, with majority of her victories coming by way of decision, meaning she can go the distance and put together a score card that goes in her favor. But I don’t think she can compete with a fighter as talented and as dangerous as Weili.
Weili has held the belt for two and a half years now, and she’s one of the most dangerous fighters in all of women’s mma. She is a powerful puncher and a great opportunist, very calculated and precise with her strikes. Weili is a phenomenal ground and pound fighter, and Xiaonon simply can’t compete with her.
Weili successfully defends her title, and possibly gets one step closer to becoming a 2-division champ.
Main Event Lightweight Title: Alex Pereira 9-2 (BRAZIL) vs Jamahal Hill 12-1 (USA)
UFC 300 comes down to this. There’s a lot of history going into this fight. Pereira is a former 2-way champ, with one of those belts formerly belonging to Jamahal Hill. He’s going to be looking to get his title back, while Pereira will be looking to continue his reign as lightweight champ.
Both fighters are very similar in almost every way. Only one loss in the UFC, same height, and reach, and both are incredible knockout artists. Expect these two fighters to trade punches and kicks. As for who takes the belt home, Jamahal Hill is going into the octagon looking to take off Pereira’s head. Alex is the better striker, but Hill can take a punch better than any of Alex’s opponents. He’s not intimidated by Alex and is a fighter who can go the distance.
Jamahal Hill will claim victory over Alex Pereira and take back his belt and title of lightweight champion of the world.
UFC 300 will be a phenomenal night of fights that can shake up both division and pound for pound rankings. The main card begins at 10pm Saturday night on ESPN PPV.