2023 was yet another blockbuster year in the ever-growing history of the UFC. Old warhorses returned to their throne, while new stars cemented their status at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. But as we tick into 2024, there are a number of divisions that look primed and ready to see huge title bouts before the year is out.
The welterweight division is one of them. Reigning champion Leon Edwards stunned the world back in 2022 when he starched reigning champion and pound-for-pound number one Kamaru Usman with a massive head kick in Salt Lake City. He has since successfully defended his strap against the Nigerian, as well as knocking off former interim champ Colby Covington. Now, however, it appears that a new contender is rising to the fore.
That man is, of course, Belal Muhammad. The 35-year-old veteran is in the midst of a ten-fight win streak dating all the way back to April 2019. However, a bout between the two is hardly highly anticipated. Both fighters are known for their slow, methodical pace inside the Octagon and just two of the potential challenger’s ten victories have come inside the distance.
But while that potential clash isn’t being looked forward to eagerly, others are. Here are four title bouts we can’t wait to see in 2024.
Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall:
There are few fighters in the UFC with a career as illustrious as Jon Jones. The New Mexico-based star has been a champion in the organization since he was just 23 years of age and holds victories over the who’s who of iconic fighters, including Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Daniel Cormier, Lyoto Machida, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. In early 2023, he made his triumphant return after three years away, winning the heavyweight championship in his first fight in the weight class by stopping Frenchman Cyril Gane in the very first round.
He was supposed to round out the year by facing former champion Stipe Miocic, but the pair’s bout was put on the back burner due to the 41-year-old suffering an injury in training camp. Promising English heavyweight Tom Aspinall then faced off against hard-hitting Russian Sergey Pavlovich for the interim title on barely two weeks’ notice, and duly secured the first-round knockout victory. Fans are now eager to see the heavyweight title unified, potentially more so than seeing Jonny Bones dominate Miocic.
Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya is a former two-time middleweight champion and fans are always looking for a new challenge for him. He dropped his title to Sean Strickland in stunning fashion back at UFC 293 and rather than seeking an immediate rematch, the new champ will instead defend the 185-pound title against Dricus Du Plessis. For the Last Style Bender, however, his new challenge could come in the form of an old foe, Alex Pereira.
Poatan knocked out Adesanya in the kickboxing world and knocked him out again when they fought in the Octagon for the first time, taking the middleweight title in the process. The pair faced off in an immediate rematch and it looked as though it would be the Brazilian who secured his third straight victory against the Nigerian-born Kiwi, until Adesanya found a right hand from the gods that knocked out his greatest rival.
Since then, Pereira has moved up in weight and become light heavyweight champion. Adesanya has dropped his middleweight title and with no rematch on the horizon, a step in weight and a fourth clash with his nemesis seems all but guaranteed.
Sean Strickland vs Khamzat Chimaev:
Sean Strickland is a controversial figure within the fight game, primarily thanks to the words that come out of his mouth. However, nobody can deny his toughness, which was on full display when he dropped Adesanya en route to becoming the middleweight champion. As mentioned, he will defend his title against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 299 in a contest that has audiences and gamblers already going wild. And if you’re inclined to take a flutter on this yourself and you check out UFC betting in Canada, you’ll see that the oddsmakers have made him a -140 favorite to win, hyping up the match and raising our expectations significantly. Should he come through that contest unscathed, fans want to see him defend the title against the fearsome Khamzat Chimaev.
The Chechan-born-Swede made waves in the UFC in 2020, going 3-0 in just 66 days and quickly becoming one of the most talked-about fighters in the promotion. He has since picked up victories against the likes of Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, with the latter of those two being in the middleweight division. Should Strickland successfully defend his strap, all roads will lead to a mouth-watering clash between the pair.
Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira
Khabib Nurmagomedov may have retired, but his long-time training partner, Islam Makhachev, quickly stepped into his shoes and climbed to the summit of the welterweight division. With a menacing record of 25-1, the Russian star has become the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, and back-to-back victories against featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski – the second of which being a first-round knockout – have only solidified his standing.
He managed to secure the title with a submission victory against Charles Oliveira back at UFC 280. Do Bronx has since bounced back with a knockout victory against the dangerous Beneil Dariush. He is expected to get his title rematch at some point this year, and fans will be hoping that he can put on a better display this time around.