Nothing is straightforward in a sport with as many variables as mixed martial arts. But UFC 295 was one of those rare cases where the company’s next moves were basically decided for them. The co-main event and main event each delivered outcomes in which the victor’s next moves should be simple. If the UFC can deliver the two fights their Saturday pay-per-view ably set-up, fight fans could be in for a stunning 2024.
First, that main event. Alex Pereira capped off perhaps the greatest 12 months in UFC history with a second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka to capture the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship. 364 days earlier, ‘Poatan’ had defeated old kickboxing rival Israel Adesanya to win the UFC middleweight crown. Over the ensuing year he lost the title back to Adesanya, moved up to light heavyweight, beat former champion Jan Błachowicz and then won the 205lb belt by beating Prochazka. The Brazilian achieved more in a year than most fighters do in their entire career.
The subject of Pereira’s post-fight call-out was of little surprise. Adesanya was summarily invited to step up to light heavyweight for the MMA rubber match between the pair. I emphasise the sport there because Pereira defeated Adesanya twice when they were both professional kickboxers. This shared history added spice to their initial MMA collisions. Now it is more fuel on the fire of what could be the best fight the UFC could currently stage.
Combat sports lends itself to trilogies. Whether it is Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier in boxing or MMA’s iconic Chuck Liddell vs Randy Couture trio, they play into an intrinsic sensibility within us. Like a finely structured story, they have a beginning, a middle and an end. Pereira and Adesanya’s feud is no different. The Brazilian’s triumph was the beginning. The ‘Stylebender’ achieving redemption and beating Pereira for the first time was the middle. Now the score-settling battle for the light heavyweight championship should be the end.
It is as natural a fight as they come. UFC can’t afford to drop the ball on what would be one of the biggest combat sports events of 2024.
Another fight that could do huge numbers next year was set up perfectly at UFC 295. The main event saw Tom Aspinall become the first British fighter to win a UFC heavyweight title. The Wiganer picked up a stunning knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich to lift the crown. The Russian hadn’t lost in five years and was on a six-fight KO streak. But Aspinall separated him from his senses and took home the UFC interim belt in the process.
The very nature of the interim belt sets up a natural bout the the reigning full champion. Last weekend’s fight came about because the scheduled match-up between UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones and ex-champ Stipe Miocic was called off. ‘Bones’ suffered a pectoral tear that is expected to keep him out of action for around eight months, according to UFC president Dana White.
Surely, Jones’ comeback can only have one man in the opposite corner. Aspinall has earned the stage and the prestige that comes with facing one of the greatest UFC fighters of all-time. While these things don’t always run as smoothly as they should, that belt Tom wears around his waste should put him at the front of the queue to fight Jones. Dana White has said the UFC are still keen on the Miocic fight, but that bout is nowhere near the same level of contest. Miocic is 41 now and is starting to show the effects of injuries and wear and tear. You’d back Aspinall to give a better showing than Stipe at the stage of their respective careers.
Oliveira and Adesanya. Aspinall and Jones. UFC 295 showed us the way, it really is that simple. The company has been presented not one but two open goals. While they have ballooned these into the stand in the past, surely they know the importance of getting this right. The UFC would be well served getting these highly-anticipated fights in the ring as soon as is feasible.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
