UFC 299 News: Heavyweight Banger Rebooked, Ex-Champion Returns to Lightweight

Two massive bouts have been added to UFC 299.

This week has already seen the UFC book a few high-profile bouts for next year, and now two major fights have been added to UFC 299 on March 9.

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The UFC’s early plans for 2024 included announcing title fights for the year’s first three PPV events, and UFC 299 will feature a rematch between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera for O’Malley's bantamweight belt at the top of the card.

An important women’s flyweight bout between Katlyn Chookagian and Maycee Barber was also previously confirmed for the event, and MMA Fighting reports that a huge heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida has now been rebooked for UFC 299.

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Blaydes and Almeida were previously scheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night in November before “Razor” was forced to withdraw from the matchup.

Almeida ended up earning a lackluster decision over former title challenger Derrick Lewis at that event, and now the Brazilian will try to take Blaydes' spot in the heavyweight Top 5 when they meet in March.

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The heavyweight clash is a major addition to UFC 299, and the event page on UFC.com has also been updated to include a lightweight matchup between former champion Rafael dos Anjos and top contender Mateusz Gamrot.

A former KSW champion, Gamrot came up short in his UFC debut in 2020 before the Polish lightweight won four-straight bouts. That run was halted by Beneil Dariush at UFC 280, but “Gamer” has rebounded from that loss by winning back-to-back fights this year.

Dos Anjos will drop back down to the lightweight division at UFC 299.  :: (Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports)

The matchup with Gamrot will mark dos Anjos’ return to the lightweight division following a pair of fights at welterweight. 

The Brazilian has moved between the two weight classes in the years following his reign as UFC lightweight champion, and a matchup with the #6-ranked Gamrot presents dos Anjos with a massive opportunity to get back into the win column following a loss to his countryman Vicente Luque.

The UFC still hasn’t confirmed where UFC 299 will take place, but both of these bouts are huge additions to the card and will surely help to raise fan anticipation for the event on March 9.

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