3. Lightweight (and Featherweight) Madness
Despite two more title fights finishing UFC 300, most fans expect the lightweights earlier on the main card to be the main talking point on Sunday morning.
Let’s start with the most straightforward scenario, UFC President Dana White had said following Charles Oliveira’s injury last October that the former champion would still be next for a shot at Islam Makhachev’s title. By that logic, one would assume that he will still be next in line should he defeat surging contender Armen Tsarukyan.
Now, a victory for Tsarukyan would certainly put the Armenian contender on the short list for a title. But he would then have to outperform established superstars in Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. The current BMF champion was widely expected to be next for the undisputed belt after he took home the prize last year, and it would be difficult to deny his appeal should he turn away another legend. Holloway has already accomplished almost everything one can at featherweight, and behind consecutive victories of Arnold Allen, The Korean Zombie, and Gaethje it would be difficult to deny a shot at a title in a second UFC weight class.
Such a run for Holloway would put him in prime position in the lightweight division, but there is a featherweight elephant in the room. While there are options for new champion Ilia Topuria at 145 pounds in Brian Ortega or a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, a fight with Holloway following his potential victory at UFC 300 could make for a blockbuster fight anywhere in the world. The UFC may even favor that option most considering the winner between Oliveira and Tsarukyan would be right there to fill the lightweight title slot and move both divisions along.
The high stakes for all involved is more than enough reason to expect anticipation to reach a fever pitch when the lightweights make the walk.
