The audience for mixed martial arts (MMA) fights is growing all the time. Most of the people interested in the sport are watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bouts, as this represents the elite level of the sport.
The UFC produces prime quality MMA action every single year and 2023 has been no different. The UFC 284 battle between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski was surely the highlight of the year, as a tense encounter ended with a 5 Round Decision for the favorite Makhachev.
Other top-class fights have seen Alexandre Pantoja III beat Brandon Moreno in a similar fashion, while Justin Gaethe delivered an upset by overcoming odds-on favorite Rafael Fiziev in UFC 286. The tournament is always full of excitement and unpredictability.
That will be the case again next year and these are some of the upcoming fights that are most likely to deliver the goods.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
The UFC 234 bout between Ankalaev and Walker will see two of the best light heavyweights in the sport face off against each other again. They will both have a point to prove after the hotly-anticipated UFC 294 fight between them fizzled out prematurely following an illegal knee blow from Ankalaev in the opening minutes.
The result was an immediate No Contest and it was one of the biggest disappointments of the year – for UFC fans and for the two fighters. There is some needle between them after that incident, which should ensure that this first UFC event of the New Year proves to be a blood and thunder encounter.
They are both possible title contenders but fans will have to wait until mid January to see them fight. There are options for keeping the excitement levels high between now and then though; such as playing MMA themed slots like MMA Legends, which features some of the greatest fighters ever in action.
Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis
This battle for the title between middleweights is the headline fight at UFC 297. It is scheduled for the opening month of next year and it is surely the most intriguing match-up to be announced.
Dricus du Plessis has been given his chance at glory ahead of Khamzat Chimaev, but with scalps like Robert Whittaker under his belt, ‘Stillknocks’ is a deserving contender. This will be the first middleweight UFC title fight without Israel Adensanya, but Strickland saw him off and has earned his place.
Most bookies would probably have du Plessis as the slight favorite, but it is a really tough one to make predictions for. Fans can get themselves ready for it by studying the stats for each fighter to be able to make informed forecasts and bets.
Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev
UFC 297 looks set to be a night to remember as this supporting contest between Allen and Evloev is primed to be another thriller. This is two of the top featherweight fighters in the world going head-to-head, so big things are expected from the contest.
Evloev has never lost a UFC fight from the 17 he has taken on, with his most recent victory being against exciting up-and-comer Diego Lopes. The Russian is particularly notable for his takedowns and he will need them against Allen.
The latter might have lost his last fight against Max Holloway, but he stretched the ex-champion to the limit and showed his quality. Either of these fighters could soon be in contention for the featherweight championship, so this is definitely one to watch.
Avid UFC fans can prepare by getting in shape like their idols, to start the New Year.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria
This contest is confirmed for UFC 298 during February and Volkanovski will be eager to bounce back from his defeat by Makhachev last time out. Losing to an opening round head kick, it could hardly have gone worse for a fighter of his reputation, so he is a wounded animal going into this one.
When it happened before, he responded by battering Yair Rodriguez in the next fight, so Topuria may be feeling a little nervous. However the fighter who has been nicknamed ‘El Matador’ is no slouch; he is an excellent finisher, with powerful takedowns who can go the distance with ease.
Volkanovski is the more skilled fighter, which may just about make him favorite, but Topuria has the hunger. This is sure to be among the fights that everyone is desperate to see in the early part of next year.
These four fights are all confirmed for the UFC calendar in January and February, so fans will not have long to wait. Reading all of the previews and predictions between now and then will help to build the excitement.
