The post-300 Era: UFC Fights to Make in 2024

Ian Park |

UFC 300 hasn’t only provided fans with the greatest fight card of all time; it’s also

opened up new avenues of potential fights. If the UFC wishes to take full advantage of the hype

and viewership surge produced by UFC 300, these are the matchups that need to happen in 2024.

Max Holloway, Via Getty Images

1. Jiří Procházka vs Jamahal Hill

Two fighters who once were at the top of the UFC light heavyweight division, two fighters who

have lost to current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, and two fighters who have openly

expressed their desire for a rematch against the champion. Dana White has, for the time being,

shut down the idea of Pereira venturing into heavyweight territory in pursuit of becoming the

first UFC triple-champion, meaning he will most likely continue to defend his light-heavyweight

belt. Russian fighter Magomed Ankalaev is the next one up for a shot at the title, and no matter

who wins that bout, it makes the most sense for either one of Jiří Procházka or Jamahal Hill to

get the shot next. It is also important to note that 19 of Procházka’s last 20 and four out of Hill’s

last five fights have ended in a stoppage, so on top of the “chance at redemption” storyline, fans

will be sure to get their money’s worth watching these two titans clash, though it may be a while

until fans see this fight unfold as both fighters fought at UFC 300.

2. Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway

While opinions on this potential title fight were generally mixed coming into UFC 300, Max

Holloway’s complete domination of former second-ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje has silenced the

naysayers. Stylistically, it may be the most entertaining fight of the year, as both Ilia Topuria and

Max Holloway tends to utilize their striking more than their ground game. With Topuria accepting

Holloway’s post-fight callout in an interview with Ariel Helwani, and with the UFC reportedly

coming to Spain in 2024 for the first time in the company’s history, let’s see if “El Matador” can

finish off the bull.

3. Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan

Following UFC 300, Dana White announced three future fights, including the main event for

UFC 302: Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier for the UFC lightweight belt. Many have assumed

that this fight was announced partly due to the unavailability of other lightweight title contenders

and have predicted an early stoppage win for Makhachev. Assuming that Makhachev lives up to

his -500 odds against Poirier, Tsarukyan would most likely be next in line and arguably

Makhachev’s toughest opponent to date. While the two fought in 2019, leading to a unanimous

decision victory for Islam Makhachev, this fight would be completely different and would bear

witness to a more mature, competitive, and hungry Arman Tsarukyan, which was already

showcased in his decision win against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC

300. Expect an MMA masterclass from both if and when this fight ensues.

4. Raquel Pennington vs Kayla Harrison

The addition of Kayla Harrison to the UFC has shaken up the women’s bantamweight division,

especially after Harrison’s impressive UFC debut against Holly Holm, previously ranked fifth in

the division. Perhaps the most entertaining UFC women’s fight of 2024 and even catching the

attention of former double-champ Amanda Nunes, Harrison’s victory over Holm at UFC 300 has

proven that she is ready, not only for the UFC but for a chance at gold against the current

135-pound women’s champion, Raquel Pennington. With elite grappling and good enough

striking, the Olympic gold medalist should be the first name on the list of title contenders for the

bantamweight belt.

5. Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes

If the UFC 300 performance bonus was awarded to more than two fighters, Diego Lopes would

have been next in line. Lopes made quick work of Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300, finishing him via

TKO in a featherweight fight that lasted one minute and 29 seconds. In his post-fight Octagon

interview, Lopes called out fifth-ranked Movsar Evloev for a rematch, the two having fought at

UFC 288, where Lopes took the fight on short notice and lost via unanimous decision. Two

future stars of the UFC featherweight division, it would be foolish not to match these two

together. For Evloev, this would be an opportunity to prove that his first win over Lopes wasn’t a

fluke and to make his case for a title fight this year. For Lopes, this would be an opportunity to

climb into the top five of an exclusive and top-notch featherweight division and to add his name

to the title contender debate.