Two huge potential UFC fights that could be sparked into fruition in the near future
The outcome of the most significant bouts can greatly impact the future of all the contending fighters within a UFC division. Potential – and sometimes highly in-demand – bouts can be confirmed or pushed into the abyss based on who succeeds in the high-profile meetings.
For example, Alex Pereira’s successful opening title defence against Jamahal ‘Sweet Dreams’ Hill at UFC300 in April meant that a rematch against Jiri Prochazka was confirmed for UFC 303.
A loss may have seen Hill face Prochazka or Pereira challenge the American to an immediate return contest. Either way that one result back in April has shaped the remainder of the year for three different fighters.
There are a couple of similar situations set to run their course in the remainder of 2024 as fans could see some of the highly-anticipated potential fights be pencilled into existence or ruled out.
Adesanya vs Strickland rematch
Israel has a huge chance to become a three-time UFC champion at UFC305. In the Paddy Power odds, he is an 8/11 favourite to take the belt from Dricus Du Plessis. The site’s bet calculator can help fans understand the betting markets that surround Adesanya’s long-awaited return to the ring.
Adesanya will be able to prove the doubters wrong and rule the middleweight division yet again this August and besides boosting his legacy it could help to map out his future beyond the summer.
❌❌❌
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) July 30, 2024
Finish line in my sights 👁️.
Start Strong, Finish Stronger‼️ pic.twitter.com/5XAErUc6tO
The Last Stylebender would arguably prove that his loss to Strickland was simply a blip by regaining the belt in less than a year, although he will want to achieve personal revenge over the American.
Adesanya has stated on several occasions that his surprising defeat to Strickland was a one-off and there is no way to prove that besides meeting him in the Octagon again.
The two-time middleweight champion will end his longest wait for a fight since joining the UFC when he meets Du Plessis. He is surely going to be fresher than ever, and his expected reclaim of the belt could set up the opportunity to ensure Strickland no longer holds anything over him – perhaps in an early 2025 meeting.
Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall
The potential meeting of Jones and Aspinall as opposition fighters would undoubtedly make one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history.
Jones is viewed by many as the greatest mixed martial artist in history and he would be facing a hugely popular British heavyweight that is a deadly striker and an exceptional wrestler.
The American’s long-term reluctance to agree to the fight only makes the potential future fight even more intriguing – perhaps he fears Aspinall’s versatility of powers in the UFC.
Aspinall beat Curtis Blaydes to defend his interim title at UFC 304 which means he has done his part to help bring the fight to fruition. Jones is expected to face Stipe in late 2024 or early 2025 and if he gets past the veteran he will surely be set up to face Aspinall – if he does not decide to retire.
A little something to help me run from the competition 🦆 pic.twitter.com/mysZKdthA0
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 6, 2024
The remainder of the year and beyond of UFC title fight action is ultimately set to be decisive not only when it comes to determining the champions, but to the developing legacies of some of the sport’s most legendary names.
Adesanya could secure a rematch that would ensure no current middleweight has a positive record against him, while Jones could remarkably set up his most anticipated fight yet with a triumph over Miocic.
