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UFC 300 is expected to deliver a loaded lineup for the promotion’s historic April event.

Following one of the most chaotic years in recent memory, the UFC will bring UFC 300 to its home base of Las Vegas on April 13. UFC CEO Dana White has promised one of the most stacked, and perhaps, unpredictable lineups in company history.

With four title fights already on the books for the first quarter of the year, including Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title, and Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Raquel Pennington for the vacant women’s bantamweight title at UFC 297, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria for the featherweight title at UFC 298, and Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera for the bantamweight title at UFC 299, there’s a number of directions the UFC could go in terms of booking potential blockbuster fights.

Will UFC 300 mark the long awaited return of the sport’s biggest star in Conor McGregor? Time will tell as the countdown to UFC 300 is officially on.

For now, keep this page bookmarked: We’ll have a rundown of every fight announced, rumors, athletes raising their hands and calling their shots, and more.

Dec. 21: Dana White announces first three fights for UFC 300

On Thursday night, UFC CEO Dana White announced the event’s first three fights. Although he didn’t announce the main event, White did reveal that former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will officially make the move up to featherweight to face the dangerous Calvin Kattar.

Additionally, former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka will return for the second time in five months following recovery from a shoulder injury and will face Aleksandar Rakic, and super prospect Bo Nickal will make his third octagon appearance against Cody Brundage. White also said he plans to announce more bouts for the card after the new year.

Dec. 21: Alex Pereira’s combat algebra problem, and a possible heavyweight move?

Alex Pereira has already broken the sport (and the way rankings are done) forever. Pereira began 2023 on the receiving end of the probable Knockout of the Year when he lost the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 in April, only to move up to 205 pounds, beat a former champion, and then capture the vacant title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. In just seven UFC fights — and 11 pro MMA bouts total — Pereira is a two-division UFC champion. But is that enough?

On Thursday, Pereira went to his Instagram stories and posted a math problem with a thinking emoji that read 30 + 300 = 3. I’m certainly no math expert, but I do know that the answer doesn’t fit in the equation — so what is Pereira trying to say?

Many people believe that Pereira is teasing a move to heavyweight: Gain 30 pounds, fight at UFC 300, win a third divisional title. If that’s what he means, would he fight heavyweight Jon Jones or 30-year-old (!) interim champ Tom Aspinall? Considering what the UFC has been telling us, and just using logic, this doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. But maybe that’s the beauty of it — a swerve, if you will — to throw people off for this mega card.

Another way you can look at the problem is that Pereira has 30 knockouts in his combat sports career, wants to fight at UFC 300, and maybe the “3” means an MMA trilogy fight with Adesanya. Whatever Pereira is trying to say, it may soon be revealed.

Dec. 17: Dustin Poirier calls out Nate Diaz for UFC 300?

The day after the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year, Poirier continued to tease competing at UFC 300, before throwing out a name on social media — his longtime rival Nate Diaz.

Diaz fought out his UFC contract at UFC 279 in September, where he stopped Tony Ferguson in the main event. Since then, the superstar fighter lost a unanimous decision to Jake Paul in a boxing match in August, and has yet to reveal his next move.

Personally speaking, and with so many factors in play, I doubt Diaz returns for UFC 300, and based on the lay of the land, I’m quite confident Diaz will fight in the first half of 2024 but it won’t be in the UFC. The most notable factor is that Diaz is not on the roster, or a part of the organization in any way. Diaz is a star, and he can make a ton of money competing outside of the octagon, scratching any and all itches in combat sports. While I’ll never say never, given the current lay of the land, I would be shocked if it happens.

Poirier certainly will have other options, including surging contender Arman Tsarukyan, who is fresh off of a 64-second knockout of Beneil Dariush at UFC Austin.

Nov. 7: Dustin Poirier eyes return at UFC 300

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Poirier said that he’s hoping for a fight that excites him, which would include the opportunity to fight at UFC 300.

“My current mindset, I’d fight in six weeks, I’d fight in eight weeks if the fight made sense and I was excited about it,” Poirier told MMA Fighting. “But other than that, I think a chance to fight on UFC 300 is a big deal.

“I’ve been in the UFC since UFC 125 and I missed 200. Know I’m not gonna be around for 400, so it’s kind of a cool opportunity if it comes together, but I honestly have no clue of my my return date or time frame, but UFC 300 is enticing.”

Current UFC 300 lineup:

Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar

Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage

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The UFC often loves to start each year strong and it looks to be aiming to make a big statement during the first quarter of 2024. 

As we move closer to the historic event, there is a lot of anticipation surrounding who will be featured on the UFC 300 card. Luckily enough, it seems like the wait is partially over after Dana White made a huge announcement about that and numerous other cards for next year.

Taking to social media, White introduced us to some fun bouts set to take place at UFC 298. The event on February 17 will be headlined by the featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski in his title defense against undefeated rising star Ilia Topuria—and the spectacle now has some strong additions to its main card.

“What’s up guys, Merry Christmas. I got some fight announcements for you. So, February 17. UFC 298 in Anaheim, number three-ranked Robert Whittaker versus number six-ranked Paulo Costa. Also on the card, number eight-ranked Geoff Neal versus the number ten-ranked, undefeated, Ian Garry.”

“And I know, we said that fight was on UFC 299 but it’s not it’s on 298 now,” White said referring to the rescheduled clash between Neal and Garry. “Deal with it.”

Dana White continued with his announcements. This time, he revealed a featherweight rematch in which the outcome could play a significant part in the title picture at 145.

“February 24 in Mexico City, you already know, Moreno versus Albazi is on the card. We are adding number three-ranked Brian Ortega versus number two-ranked Yair Rodriguez.”

“Moreno and Albazi is the main event, but do not fear. That fight is so bada** that Ortega versus Rodriguez is a five-round co-main event.”

Next came a certified number-one contender’s affair in the women’s flyweight division.

“Moving on to March 30 in Atlantic City. The women’s flyweight matchup between the number two-ranked Erin Blanchfield versus the number three-ranked Manon Fiorot.”

“Blanchfield is on a nine-fight win streak, Fiorot is on an eleven-fight win streak, and neither one of these women has lost a fight in four years. That is such a bada** matchup.”

White then made the announcement which saw three fan-favorite fights make their way to the eagerly awaited UFC 300 event.

Related: Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier open to 4th fight at UFC 300

“Now, what everybody’s been waiting for. No main events or anything like that but I will tell you April 13, UFC 300. Number two-ranked Jiri Prochazka versus number five-ranked Aleksandar Rakic.”

“Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling moves up to featherweight to face number seven-ranked Calvin Kattar. And the return of Bo Nickal. He hasn’t lost a fight in five, he’s got five wins, all coming by finish. He’s 5-0 and he is taking on Cody Brundage.”

“Brundage’s last four fights, his last four wins have all come by first-round finish. So, that is the lineup I have for you guys right now, I’ll have more coming after the new year. Merry Christmas and have a happy holiday everybody.”

Fight announcements:
Feb 17th, #UFC298
Feb 24th, #UFCMexico
March 30th, #UFCAtlanticCity
April 13th, #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/vcJYI3rekl

— danawhite (@danawhite) December 22, 2023

UFC 300 fight card lineup

• Light Heavyweight Bout – #2 Jiri Prochazka vs. #5 Aleksandar Rakic
• Featherweight Bout – Aljamain Sterling vs. #7 Calvin Kattar
• Middleweight Bout – Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Joe Rogan knows the UFC is the biggest show in combat sports and he hopes the fighters realize that as well.

The comedian, podcast host, and UFC color commentator spends a lot of his time watching fights and enjoying combat sports, but he recognizes the difference in scale, production and most importantly eyeballs that watch the UFC versus other organizations like the PFL or ONE Championship. While Rogan often praises fighters competing in different promotions, he knows there is a vast difference when it comes to finally making it to the big time in the UFC.

“No disrespect to the other organizations, there’s very good fighters in the other organizations, but I often feel like they’re wasting their career,” Rogan said on his podcast. “Because I see these elite fighters that are fighting in Bellator and PFL and I’m like, ‘Hey guys, no one’s watching.’ I mean, some people are watching, you’re getting a little bit of a fan base, I don’t want to disrespect, but there’s a reality.

“There’s the XFL, there’s the CFL, and then there’s the f****** NFL. If you’re not in the f****** NFL, are you really playing football? That’s just how it is.”

There’s no argument that the UFC remains the biggest organization in MMA by a wide margin, especially when factoring in pay-per-view sales, plus lives gates with tickets and television ratings.

Meanwhile, Bellator, which was previously owned by Paramount, was effectively handed over to the PFL in a no-cash transaction because the organization just wasn’t profitable.

If Rogan had his way, top-ranked fighters would all compete in the UFC because he knows that’s where the brightest spotlight will shine on them, versus almost wasting away in other organizations that just don’t get nearly as much attention.

“If you’re the UFC champ, you’re the f****** man,” Rogan said. “If you’re the Bellator champ, I respect the s*** out of those guys. I love them. Guys like Johnny Eblen, same thing. He’s a freaking animal. I really wish that guy would come to the UFC.

“If you’re a UFC champion, the promotion is just unparalleled. There’s nothing like it. I mean everybody knows who you are when you’re the UFC champion.”

It’s not exactly a trade secret that the UFC provides the biggest platform where fighters can thrive at a much larger scale than other promotions in combat sports.

Rogan knows that deep down everyone wants to feel the energy that comes along with the UFC, because there’s just nothing else like it.

“There’s this feeling of being in the UFC that everybody who wants to be a fighter dreams of,” Rogan said. “You want to be there when Bruce Buffer is right in front of you going, ‘It’s time!’ You’re like, holy s***!”

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Oh dear, Colby
| BJPenn.com

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) parted ways with seven fighters to close out the month of December. Listed below are athletes who chose not to renew their contracts, were not afforded that option, or were outright released, courtesy of UFC Roster Tracker.

The athletes saying goodbye in Dec. 23 include:

Shannon Ross (12-8) | Flyweight
Ross, 34 was stopped on Dana White’s “Contender Series” then lost all three of his UFC fights by way of knockout.

Parker Porter (13-9) | Heavyweight
Porter, 38, once fought Jon Jones on the regional circuit but only managed a 4-4 record with UFC, getting finished in all four losses.

Johnny Munoz (12-4) | Bantamweight
Munoz, 30, crossed over from King of the Cage (KOTC) in summer 2020 and went 2-4 under the UFC banner.

Terrence Mitchell (14-4) | Bantamweight
Mitchell, 33, was a wildly-successful bantamweight on the Alaskan fight circuit but suffered two first-round knockout losses in his only two trips to the Octagon.

Austin Lingo (9-3) | Featherweight
Lingo, 29, signed with UFC in early 2020 and put together a 2-3 record, which included back-to-back losses in 2023.

Nick Aguirre (7-2) | Bantamweight
Aguirre, 27, made his UFC debut earlier this year and posted consecutive losses in his only two trips to the Octagon.

Carlos Vera (11-3) | Bantamweight
Vera, 36, is a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 31 who signed for a short-notice scrap at UFC Vegas 83 but when that fight fell apart, Vera was abruptly released.

Expect more UFC roster changes after the New Year.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Nico Carrillo delivered a late entry into the Knockout of the Year discussion on Friday.

Carrillo faced kickboxing legend Nong-O in a Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 46 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. A little over a minute into the second round, Carrillo delivered a smashing standing elbow to Nong-O, knocking him stiff in the corner to pick up one of the biggest wins of his career.

Check out the highlight-reel finish in the video below.

Carrillo has become somewhat of a staple in ONE Championship’s Friday Fights series. The 25-year-old has competed three times in 2023, stopping all of his opponents in the process. Prior to Friday’s massive win, Carrillo stopped Muangthai PK Saenchai via second-round TKO at June’s ONE Friday Fights 22 event.

Nong-O has now been stopped in two straight bouts. Prior to that, the 37-year-old began his ONE Championship tenure with eight straight wins.

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Scottish standout Nico Carrillo scored the biggest win of his Muay Thai career at ONE Friday Fights 46.

Emanating from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, fans witnessed the rise of a new contender in ONE’s bantamweight Muay Thai division as the ‘King of the North’ scored a brutal second-round knockout against former titleholder Nong-O Hama.

Things started as expected with Nong-O chopping away at the leg of Carrillo throughout the first three minutes. As the opening round came to a close, the Scot’s lead leg was clearly compromised, but that didn’t stop him from pressing on and putting pressure on the Thai in the second stanza.

Pressuring Nong-O against the ropes, Carrillo unleashed a flurry of strikes forcing Nong-O to circle out. As he did, Carrillo continued his pursuit, once again putting the former champ in the opposite corner and unleashing a vicious elbow that put Nong-O on the canvas. Unable to answer the standing eight-count, the referee called for the stoppage, handing Carrillo his third-straight win under the ONE Championship banner.

Official Result: Nico Carrillo def. Nong-O Hama via KO (elbow) at 1:28 of Round 2.

Speaking with Mitch Chilson following his impressive win, Nico Carrillo called out the reigning ONE bantamweight Muay Thai titleholder. “Tick tock, tick tock. Jonathan Haggerty, I’m coming for that belt,” he said.

Check Out Highlights From Nico Carrillo vs. Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fights 46:

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