Five fights to make after first UFC card of 2024

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Khalil Rountree

Sure, Magomed Ankalaev definitely deserves another title shot as he has gone undefeated in twelve straight UFC bouts with ten wins, one No Contest and one draw in his first attempt to capture the belt. However, considering former champ Jamahal Hill is most likely next in line to face current title holder Alex Pereira, the timing and current landscape of the division doesn’t seem to work in favor of Ankalaev at the moment.

Unless he’s willing to wait and be out for quite some time (which UFC seldom wants nor rewards), Ankalaev will probably have to fight someone else before getting another shot at the championship. While my first choice would be to match him up against Jiri Prochazka, Prochazka is already booked against Aleksandar Rakic for UFC 300 so I figure that No. 8 ranked Khalil Rountree would be the most suitable option of the available matchups.

With five wins in a row–including four knockouts–Rountree deserves an opportunity to prove himself as a potential contender. I think Ankalaev vs. Rountree would be a good title eliminator and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the fight to make next.