Homeshowbiz UFC 300 dream card would see Conor McGregor trilogy fight, Ronda Rousey’s comeback, BMF bout and title defences for two Brits
UFC 300 is expected to be one of the best mixed martial arts cards of all time.
The landmark show – booked for Las Vegas on April 13 – is going to be so stacked that fans will be screaming ‘Holy s***!’ from the first fight to the last,according to UFC supremo Dana White.
The UFC boss is excited about what’s to come in 2024Credit: Getty
Conor McGregorhas been heavily linked to the card, and so have several other big-name fighters, but little is known about what will happen at the T-Mobile Arena in a few months time.
So, talkSPORT has decided to put together aUFC 300dream card that will see the Irishman’s eagerly anticipated comeback, the return of two legends, and three title fights.
Here’s hoping this all comes true…
Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz III
McGregor has been booked to fightMichael Chandlersince February but has frequently distanced himself from a clash with the lightweight contender.
The frustrating delay to his return from injury may have something to do with the fact most fans are not overly excited about his comeback opponent.
A trilogy fight withNate Diaz, who is currently a free agent, would be much bigger and would probably help the company add a new event to its list ofbest-selling PPVs.
Diaz is currently 1-1 with McGregor after two fights and has expressed a desire to compete at UFC 300 – but he’s yet to mention his rival’s name specifically.
McGregor vs Diaz is one of the UFC’s greatest rivalriesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Despite that, fans are excited about them clashing for a third time and Chandler is concerned he could be overlooked as McGregor tries to find ‘an easier fight’.
Barring a highly unlikelyKhabib Nurmagomedovrematch, McGregor vs Diaz III is the biggest bout that can be made and one both men would entertain in 2024.
Ronda Rousey vs Miesha Tate III
We’ll start this pick by admitting it is extremely wishful.
The UFC boss has alreadyruled out Rouseyreturning at UFC 300, but things change and it’s hard not to include the biggest female star in MMA history on our dream card.
‘Rowdy’ is currently a free agent afterleaving the WWEand has been linked to a sensational return to the UFC by featherweight contender Chelsea Chandler, who claims she istraining for a comeback fight.
AfterAmanda Nunes’ retirement, the women’s UFC divisions are bereft of stars, and Rousey fighting for a title in her first fight since 2016 would be welcomed by many.
MMA wasn’t worth pursuing for women until Rousey came alongCredit: Getty
‘Rowdy’ retired seven years ago – but fans have never stopped talking about her making a comebackCredit: Getty
However, a third grudge match with Tate is ideal for us.
Rousey tapped ‘Cupcake’ out in Strikeforce before doing the same in the UFC, but a decade later their rivalry remains, and Tate is still desperate to set the record straight.
If Rousey doesn’t fight at UFC 300, hopefully, an announcement about the 36-year-old’s upcoming comeback bout is made in the Octagon.
Leon Edwards vs Islam Makhachev
Four months is plenty of time for Leon Edwards to prepare aftereasily outpointing Colby Covingtonat UFC 296 in December.
No fight would be bigger than defending his welterweight belt against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the UFC’s pound-for-pound number one.
An unappealing rematch with Belal Muhammad, whom he battered before their March 2021 fight wascalled offdue to an inadvertent eye poke, is the only other option for ‘Rocky’ right now.
Edwards wants to really challenge himself in 2024Credit: Getty
He’d likely be the underdog against MakhachevCredit: Getty
Edwards has discussed moving up in weight and trying to become a two-division world champion, but being universally known as the best fighter regardless of weight is surely appealing too.
White is yet to reveal what is next for both men.
Only time will tell if they will be matched against each other at UFC 300.
Tom Aspinall vs Alex Pereira
Jon Jones is injured, Stipe Miocic is waiting to fight him and Francis Ngannou has signed with the UFC’s main rival – the Professional Fighters League [PFL].
So, Aspinall appears to be short of options afterknocking out Sergei Pavlovichat UFC 295 and becoming the interim heavyweight champion.
However, light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira recently suggested he could move up in weight and attempt to become the first three-weight champion in company history at UFC 300.
Aspinall wants Jones – but the UFC has no interest in unifying the heavyweight division right nowCredit: Getty
Pereira could make history if he fights AspinallCredit: @alexpoatanpereira – instagram
‘Poatan’ tweeted: 30 + 3 = 300, which led to many MMA fans speculating that he will be fighting at the UFC’s landmark event, potentially for the heavyweight strap.
Pereira has since played down talk of an imminent move up in weight, but Aspinall felt like the Brazilian knockout artist was sizing him up during shared press events in November.
Aspinall deserves a big fight, and it doesn’t get much bigger than Pereira – it is certainly a matchup that will have those watching licking their licks with excitement.
Likelihood: 7/10
Justin Gaethje vs Max Holloway
Kicking off our dream UFC 300 card is another title fight, of sorts.
Justin Gaethjecurrently holds the symbolic BMF [Baddest Motherf***er] belt afterknocking out Dustin Poirierto replace Jorge Masvidal, who relinquished the title when he retired, as champion.
Despite picking up such an impressive win, it appears Gaethje could be made to wait for a lightweight title shot as Makhachev is chasing Edwards, and linked to a rematch withCharles Oliveira.
Gaethje’s BMF belt is coveted by some fightersCredit: Getty
Holloway is one of themCredit: Getty
Max Hollowayis also locked out of the title picture after suffering three defeats to featherweight king Alex Volkanovski, who defends his belt against unbeaten contender Ilia Topuria atUFC 298on February 18
‘Blessed’ has called to fight Gaethje at UFC 300, and MMA legendChael Sonnenrecently asserted that they will clash during the highly anticipated event.
So, this dream fight actually might happen on April 13.
UNDERCARD BOUTS
At the moment, just three fights are official for UFC 300.
Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will make his featherweight debut against top contender Calvin Kattar.
Sterling’s journey in a new weight class starts at UFC 300Credit: Getty
Ex-light heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochakza will look to get back into contention by beating Aleksandar Rakic.
Also on the card is 5-0 middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, who is booked to face Cody Brundage and should face his toughest test to date.
White has promised more big announcements are coming soonCredit: Getty
Jim Miller hasn’t signed to fight on the card yet, butWhite has assured he willafter previously making appearances at UFC 100 in 2009 and UFC 200 in 2016.
While these are all exciting fights, it’s hard to imagine any of them on the main card of an event that has been massively talked up by White.
All will be revealed by the UFC brass in the coming days and weeks.
For now, we’ll be dreaming about our card becoming a reality…
