UFC 300: Who's Fighting & Who's Sitting This One Out?
As the UFC approaches its conclusion in 2023, fans eagerly shift their focus to the thrilling lineup of events awaiting them in the first quarter of 2024. Among these, one event captures the imagination and dominates many discussions—UFC 300.
The UFC's 300th PPV venue should be nothing short of spectacular, but many fans are concerned about the status of the event as many big name fighters are either booked, delayed or injured approaching April 2024. Let's run down the list of the UFC's biggest stars, and whether they can or cannot appear at UFC 300.
UFC Stars That Likely Won't be Appearing at UFC 300
Most notably, Conor McGregor is set to return in the Summer --- not in April ---according to head coach John Kavanagh. Jon Jones is injured and will sit out likely for the next eight months until July-August. Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, Sean Strickland, and Sean O'Malley are all booked across January to March.
UFC CEO Dana White has also denied rumors of Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey making a UFC return.
UFC Stars Who Could Appear at UFC 300
Depending on Jones' status in the UFC, Tom Aspinall could defend his interim title or fight for the official belt. His opponent could be Ciryl Gane in an England vs. France scenario, or potentially Stipe Miocic or Jailton Almeida.
Alex Pereira could defend his title in a rematch with Jiri Prochazka, or potentially a fifth outing with Israel Adesanya at light heavyweight, unless Jamahal Hill comes back to reclaim his throne. Speaking of Adesanya, there are a few middleweight matchups he could entertain, such as Khamzat Chimaev or Roman Dolidze.
Depending on the outcome of UFC 296, Leon Edwards or Colby Covington could return. Also depending on the UFC 296 results, Shavkhat Rakhmonov, Stephen Thompson, Ian Garry or Vicente Luque could be vying for a welterweight title shot.
Alexa Grasso could defend her title in a trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko, and Zhang Weili could defend hers against one of the many strawweight contenders - the most enticing being Yan Xiaonan in a China vs. China matchup.
A host of other names jump out, including Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Aljamain Sterling, Kamaru Usman, Dominick Cruz, Paul Felder, Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov and many more.
So despite appearances, UFC 300 isn't without hope.
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