UFC
5 fighters that could LOSE EVERYTHING at UFC 300
UFC 300. Photo via Instagram and UFC
UFC 300 is just days away!
With a stacked fight card featuring 11 current or former UFC champions, as well as rising stars and legendary veterans, there is much at stake in Las Vegas.
Frontkick’s Tobias Lindkvist breaks down the card and presents five fighters with a whole lot to lose at UFC 300.
Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison. Photo via YouTube
It’s fair to say that promotional newcomer Kayla Harrison’s whole UFC journey depends on the outcome of Saturday’s fight against Holly Holm.
The former PFL champ and two-time Olympic gold medalist was for a long time considered almost unbeatable until she fell short against Larissa Pacheco in the 2022 PFL finals.
If Harrison wins in style on Saturday, she’s likely to be handed a title shot as the lackluster division is in big need of a star. With a loss, however, the 33-year-old’s UFC career would be kind of dead on arrival.
Bo Nickal
Bo Nickal. Photo via YouTube
Wanting it or not – undefeated rising star Bo Nickal has quickly become one of the most hyped fighters in the promotion. Finishing all his five fights in the first round, the young American has been on the main card of numbered cards since his promotional debut.
What he achieved in the octagon is without a doubt very impressive, but without the unblemished record, how much will be left of the hype?
Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira. Foto: Jason Da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Former champ Charles ”do Bronx” Oliveira could be one win away from another title fight.
The 34-year-old was dominated by Islam Makhachev in October 2022 but came back strong with an impressive finish against Beneil Dariush. With an impressive victory he could very well challenge Makhachev next, maybe even as early as in June.
However, the weight is on his shoulders as a loss against the No. 4 ranked prospect Arman Tsarukyan would put ”do Bronx” in a position where it would make no sense to claim a title shot next.
Jiri Prochazka
Jiri Prochazka. Photo via Instagram (@jirkaprochazka)
Former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka had a tough couple of years behind him.
After winning the title in one of the best UFC fights ever, back in June 2022, he severely injured his shoulder and then lost his comeback for the vacant title against Alex Pereira.
If Prochazka loses on Saturday – and Pereira successfully defends his title in the main event – the Czech 31-year-old is getting far from a title shot. Especially with contenders like Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic in the top five.
Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling (right). Photo: Jeff Bottari/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling moves up to featherweight after losing his belt in a one-sided bout against Sean O’Malley back in August.
Losing the fight would not stop Sterling’s career by any means, but moving up a weight class and losing would not look good as entering the division on a defeat. In fact, it would be hard for Aljo to argue for more top names in the new weight class.
A win against the tough and well-known Calvin Kattar would get him a place in the top 10 of the stacked featherweight division.
UFC 300 fight card
Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill. Photo via UFC
Main card
- Light heavyweight title bout: Alex Pereira (c) vs. Jamahal Hill
- Women’s strawweight title bout: Zhang Weili (c) vs. Yan Xiaonan
- Lightweight BMF title bout: Justin Gaethje (c) vs. Max Holloway
- Lightweight bout: Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
- Middleweight bout: Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage
Preliminary card
- Light heavyweight bout: Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic
- Featherweight bout: Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling
- Women’s bantamweight bout: Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison
- Featherweight bout: Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes
Early preliminary card
- Lightweight bout: Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano
- Women’s strawweight bout: Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez
- Lightweight bout: Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller
- Bantamweight bout: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt
* Fight card is a subject of change.
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