Alex Pereira makes a compelling argument for being the UFC’s second-biggest star. The light heavyweight champion defeated Jiri Prochazka in their short-notice rematch at UFC 303 and then delivered a highlight-reel knockout. Pereira wants to fight at heavyweight, but a barrier remains at 205 pounds.
Pereira and Diego Lopes were arguably the biggest fan-favorites at International Fight Week’s big pay-per-view. They turned that goodwill into winning performances that will meaningfully advance their careers. Ian Machado is another fighter headed in the right direction after defeating Gary Michael “Venom” Page. This divisive fighter has the longest active winning streak in the UFC welterweight division and is tied for third place with welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
International Fight Week is officially over, but we’re only halfway through the year. Below, take a look at the fights that matchmakers should keep an eye on in the second half of 2024.
light heavyweight
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev: Pereira is unable to entice opponents at light heavyweight. This will lead to discussions about moving up to heavyweight. But I don’t care to see that until Tom Aspinall gets his long-awaited undisputed title shot. Ankalaev is the most worthy contender and would be a meaningful test of the champion’s wrestling. A win over Ankalaev would free Pereira from 205-pound responsibilities and hopefully make time for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. If the stars align, an undisputed heavyweight title fight between Aspinall and Pereira makes total sense next year.
Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahl Hill: Respect to Prochazka for saving UFC 303, but he did so in a way that was detrimental to his career. Prochazka only had a few weeks to study what went wrong in his first loss to Pereira. It wasn’t enough. Prochazka is now effectively out of title contention, while Pereira is the champion and suffered a potentially career-changing KO loss. Jan Blachowicz has no timetable for recovering from a shoulder injury, but a fight between Prochazka and Hill should be fun. It’s an exciting bout between strikers that gives the winner a chance to regroup.
Welterweight
Ian Machado Gary vs. Colby Covington: I was ready to award Gary a bout against UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman in which Page would win by a decision. Unfortunately, he narrowly defeated a lower ranked competitor in a lackluster fight that could have gone in Page’s favor had he not made poor tactical choices. Gary deserves to fight his way up the ladder after defending his spot, but I would avoid pitting him against other rising contenders Shavkat Rakhmonov or Jack Dela Maddalena. I’m not a fan of eliminating contenders. The build-up between Gary and Covington would be unbearable, but at least the UFC can guarantee trash talk. A bout against the winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady is also suitable.
Michael Page vs. Vicente Luque or Nick Diaz: Page made careless mistakes, most notably giving up top position in the middle of the swing round. MVP is still an asset to the promotion. He tried to make the fight exciting, but couldn’t keep Gary away from him. MVP held the division’s No. 7 ranked contender to a competitive decision. The winner of Luque vs. Diaz on August 3 will be ranked close to Page. Luque is typically an all-action fighter who compliments Page’s style; meanwhile, the Diaz fight is a fantasy booking you wouldn’t think possible.
Featherweight
Diego Lopes vs. Josh Emmett: Credit to Lopes. His short-notice featherweight fight with Brian Ortega was changed to lightweight on Thursday and then to a 165-pound catchweight against Ige on four hours’ notice. A win over Ortega would have put Lopes in the title race, but a competitive win over Ige slowed his progress. A fight between Lopes (No. 14) and Emmett (No. 7) looks very promising. Emmett is coming off an all-time KO of Bryce Mitchell, giving him a 165-pound catchweight. Best KO of the Year Honorable MentionIt might be unfair to pit Emmett against opponents behind him in two consecutive fights, but Lopez is one of the most popular fighters in the division. This is a great opportunity for Emmett to build his momentum in a fight that is expected to be a highlight.
Dan Ige vs. Edson Barboza 2: Ige has done the UFC a huge favor and should be rewarded. Ige defeated Barboza via split decision in 202. That’s enough to guarantee a rematch given their status in the featherweight division. There is no other viable option for Ige unless he wants to fight an unranked opponent and that wouldn’t be fair after stepping in for Ortega just hours before Saturday’s co-main event.
