UFC 300 lived up to its potential as one of the most memorable events of all time. The card featured 12 current and former UFC champions, as well as a number of matches that had an impact on the official UFC rankings. Great performances from Alex Pereira, Max Holloway and others set the stage for big things to come.
Pereira showed off his dominance by knocking out Jamahal Hill in the main event for the light heavyweight title. Holloway added legendary moments to an already Hall of Fame-worthy career. There was also the issue of UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili, who overcame a difficult middle frame to knock back challenger Yang Xiaonan.
In the aftermath of an unforgettable card, let’s take a look at what the future holds for the winners and losers of UFC 300.
light heavyweight
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev: Not the most exciting fight, but the most deserving. All of the top five light heavyweights in the UFC have lost, except for Ankalaev and Prochaska. It’s hard to justify Prochaska’s title win after he was knocked out by Pereira in November. Ankalaev is undefeated in 12 fights and recently regained his momentum with a knockout win over Johnny Walker. Pereira welcomed the fight and the opportunity to test himself against a different style. Anakalev’s grappling poses a new challenge for the dominant striker. Pereira proposed rebuilding the heavyweight division at UFC 301 on May 4, but UFC president Dana White was not keen on it.
Jamahal Hill vs. Jiri Prochaska: Pereira’s good fortune, Prochaska’s bad luck. The former champion asked for a title fight after defeating Rakic, but that is difficult. Rakic kept Prochaska going for most of the fight with leg kicks and long combinations. Many of the defensive gaps he showed against Pereira still bother him. Prochaska exemplified “the best defense is a good offense” in defeating Rakic, but such recklessness is a death sentence against Pereira. There’s little to be gained from a win, but fighting a fellow former champion sounds appealing. A victory over Hill would give Prochaska the right to win the title.
Aleksandar Rakić vs. Jan Blachowicz: Rakić looked very sharp against Prochaska, but could not withstand the onslaught. Rakic was originally scheduled for a rematch against Blachowicz, who had his first fight cut short due to a knee injury. It will be a solid battle for both men aiming for the title. Moreover, it seems that it is already attracting promotional attention.
lightweight
UFC Lightweight Championship — Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier vs. Arman Tsarukyan: Sorry, Tsarukian. It’s a done deal. UFC president Dana White announced Saturday that Makhachev vs. Poirier will headline UFC 302 on June 1 in Newark. While this makes sense for Makhachev’s timeline, Poirier is not the most suitable opponent. Oliveira and Gaethje, who lost on Saturday, have recent wins over Poirier. That would put Tsarukian well ahead of Poirier. After all, Tsarukian vs. Oliveira was called a title eliminator by White. It’s probably in Tsarukyan’s best interest to wait, but if Poirier pulls off the upset, the UFC will book a rematch.
Justin Gaethje vs. Nobody: Gaethje should get some rest. He absorbed a ton of damage against Holloway and suffered the biggest knockout loss in UFC history. Gaethje knows he’s nearing the end of his career anyway. There will be a lot of movement in the lightweight division before he returns. It is best to leave the field empty. By then, rematches with Poirier, Oliveira and Michael Chandler will all be relevant. So are fights with Benoit St. Denis, Dan Hooker, and Mateusz Gamlot, all of whom are sure to fight before meeting Gaethje again.
Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot: Speaking of Gamrot, here’s an interesting match. Oliveira has twice previously wrestled wrestlers who were able to fend off submission attempts. Gamlot has won three games in a row and is ready for a big chance. Gamlot was also the last person to defeat Tsarukyan. It’s a fitting departure for Oliveira, who is usually one or two fights away from a title fight. It won’t please the fans, but it will be an important test for both players.
featherweight
UFC Featherweight Championship — Ilya Topria vs. Max Holloway: Holloway called out Topria and Makhachev after the fight, and he seemed especially passionate about winning back the featherweight title. Holloway deserves whatever he wants, both for what he accomplished Saturday and for his work overall. I’m not usually a fan of fighters who win in different divisions and have a shot at the title, but Holloway’s situation is unique. He has long been a top contender in the featherweight division. Unfortunately for him, he lost 3 times to Alexander Volkanovskiy, so no matter how many other contenders he beat, he could never earn the right to the title. The path is clear with Topria winning the 145-pound title. Holloway is a perennial favorite, has racked up legendary wins in his storied career, and has a meritocratic claim. The UFC would be foolish not to bring this fight to Spain soon.
women’s strawweight
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship — Weili Zhang vs. Tatiana Suarez: Frankly, I’d like to see Suarez get one more rep before challenging for the title. She showed discomfort in attacking Jessica Andrade in her last match. That’s something she needs to understand before fighting Chan. Suarez was scheduled to face Amanda Lemos at UFC 298, but she withdrew. That’s why her cookies sometimes fall apart. Suarez is the only legitimate challenger who can fight Chan. She also has the highest name value. Chan has developed into a great wrestler, while Suarez is an Olympic wrestling candidate. Most predict that Zhang will have a significant advantage on the feet. This is a great fight on paper and one that the UFC could most easily sell.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Amanda Lemos: Other fighters in the mix at this level are Andrade and Vilna Jandirova. With both Xiaonan and Lemos winning against Andrade, it makes the most sense to book Andrade vs. Jandiroba next. Xiaonan shook Zhang several times and dropped him, showing her regret in defeat. Although Xiaonan’s finishing ability was no match for the UFC, she will likely find a willing dance partner in the powerful Lemos. This is a great fight for the winner to get closer to the title again.
