UFC 300 is finally upon us. One of the most stacked cards of all time takes place Saturday night inside T-Mobile Arena. Light heavyweight champion, Alex “Poatan” Pereira takes on challenger and former champion Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill. The co-main event of the night features a title bout in the women’s strawweight division. Zhang Weili defends her title against Yan Xiaonan in what will be the first title fight between two athletes representing the country of China. Max Holloway moves up to lightweight in an attempt to claim the “BMF Title” from Justin Gaethje. The card features a total of twelve current and former champions, and fans would agree there isn’t a single fight you’d want to miss a second of. Full breakdown of the UFC 300 main card below:
UFC 300 Main Card:
Bo Nickal (5-0-0) vs. Cody Brundage (10-5-0)
There’s been plenty of conversation surrounding Bo Nickal and the placement of his bout against Cody Brundage on the UFC 300 card. Plenty of fans feel that there are higher ranked fighters who deserve to be in front of Nickal to open up the main card. He even received an ovation of booing from those attending the UFC 300 pre-fight press conference.
None of that however, should take away from the fact that Bo Nickal has been one of the more exciting prospects who is still early on in his mixed martial arts career. The former Penn State wrestler was a multi-time NCAA Division I champion. After his collegiate career, he transitioned to mixed martial arts and has found great success since. While Nickal is the highest betting favorite on the main card, his bout against Brundage is his toughest test to date. Will Bo prove the fans wrong, and show that he’s main card level talent? Or does Brundage kill the hype train?
Official prediction: Bo Nickal by submission
Charles Oliveira (34-9-0) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (21-3-0):
Unfortunately for Justin Gaethje, he isn’t the only fighter competing at UFC 300 for a potential shot at the UFC lightweight title. Former champion Charles Oliveira greets a new opponent in Arman Tsarukyan, in a fight that should be nothing but fireworks. Oliveira lost his title in 2022, due to a botched weight cut in his fight against Justin Gaethje. After defeating Gaethje by submission, he was granted the opportunity to reclaim the title against current champion of the divison, Islam Makhachev but was unsuccessful in the attempt. Since then, Oliveira has been searching for his opportunity to get back into title conversations. An impressive performance over an opponent such as Tsarukyan may just be the way to accomplish that goal.
Tsarukyan was set-back after suffering a loss to Mateusz Gamrot in 2022, but since then is on a three fight win streak. Both him and Oliveira defeated Beneil Dariush in their last bouts. Will Oliveira continue to add on to his illustrious resume? Or will Tsarukyan prove that there is a new contender in the lightweight division?
Official prediction: Charles Oliveira by submission
Justin Gaethje (25-4-0) vs. Max Holloway (25-7-0):
The featured bout of the night is also known by many as “The people’s main event”. Two of the most entertaining fighters in the history of mixed martial arts square off with the “BMF Title” on the line. Justin Gaethje has without a sentiment of a doubt been one of the most exciting fighters inside the UFC. Whether it’s a win or a loss, he leaves everything on the line and often mentions how he is willing to die inside the octagon. Unsuccessful in his two attempts at the UFC lightweight championship, but with a win on Saturday night Gaethje finds himself back in the title picture. He won the “BMF Title” after avenging a prior loss to future hall of fame candidate, Dustin Poirier. On Saturday night, he’ll defend the title against former featherweight champion, and another future hall of fame candidate in Max Holloway.
Max Holloway has been competing inside the UFC octagon for over a decade now, and he’s one of the few who’s shown remarkable longevity for the performances he’s put on. The move up to lightweight was an interesting choice, but considering the featherweight division was at a standstill at the time of this fight announcement you have to give Holloway credit. He loves giving the fans exciting matchups that will have them on the edge of their seats from start to finish. He’ll have to be mentally aware of Gaethje’s power when inside the octagon, and try to break him down as long as he can. Gaethje on the other hand, will always be searching for that knockout finish. Which fighter takes this one? Flip a coin.
Official prediction: Justin Gaethje by KO/TKO
Zhang Weili (24-3-0) vs. Yan Xiaonan (18-3-0):
In the co-main event, two athletes will be representing the country of China, and have the chance to make a statement in the women’s strawweight division. Zhang Weili made her UFC debut in 2018, and has been a force to be reckoned with. Only suffering two losses under the promotion, both to former champion Rose Namajunas. Weili reclaimed the title in 2022, after a unanimous decision victory over Carla Esparza. In her last fight against Amanda Lemos, she displayed one of the most dominant performances in female mixed martial arts. Weili out-landed Lemos 288-21 in total strikes, the largest differential in history. Can Weili find success in another title defense against a brand new opponent?
Official prediction: Zhang Weili by KO/TKO
Alex Pereira (9-2-0) vs. Jamahal Hill (12-1-0):
The main event of the historic UFC 300 card features two of the best in the light heavyweight division. Alex Pereira, the former UFC middleweight champion claimed the vacant light heavyweight title in November 2023, after a finish over former champion Jirí Procházka. Saturday night he’ll make his first title defense, squaring off against another former champion of the division Jamahal Hill. Pereira and Hill both have massive power in their hands and are well versed in the stand-up game. Before transitioning into mixed martial arts, Pereira was a former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion. He finished his kickboxing career with a professional record of 33-7-0, with twenty-one of those wins ending by knockout. After signing with the UFC, he became the middleweight champion after only his fourth fight.
Hill, born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan began training mixed martial arts at the young age of 17. After finding success under the organization known as “Knockout Promotions” he was offered an opportunity to earn a UFC contract. In 2019, he made an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. After a ground and pound finish, Hill earned his contract and made his official UFC debut shortly after. Three years later, he found himself in a position to claim the vacant light heavyweight title. After defeating former champion Glover Teixeira, Hill vacated his title after suffering a serious injury. His title fight against Alex Pereira will be his first since recovering from the injury. Will Hill reclaim the light heavyweight throne? Or will Alex Pereira prove that he is the true champion of the division?
Official prediction: Jamahal Hill by KO/TKO
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