5 reasons why UFC 267 could be the best event of 2021

At UFC 267, the promotion returns to Abu Dhabi, bringing with it a host of thrilling matchups that may well make this the best event of the year. 2021 has already given fans a number of memorable cards, but UFC 267 could be the best of the bunch.

The number of different narratives surrounding the fights alone would be enough to make it stand out. However, the bouts themselves also promise to make UFC 267 an event to remember.

UFC 268 and UFC 269 could also be equal to the October 30 card in terms of name value and excitement. For the time being, we will break down five reasons why UFC 267 could be the best event of 2021.

#5. A stacked set of UFC prelims

MMA fans would be smart to tune in from the very start of UFC 267, with the event having a plethora of riveting fights making up the preliminary card. Most notable is the event's featured prelim between Amanda Ribas and Virna Jandiroba.

Ribas and Jandiroba are both elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners. However, both have also been working on their striking games as of late. Their fight is truly a matchup of prospects. On such a big platform, either woman could ascend to stardom should they pull off a highlight-worthy victory.

Also featured on the prelims is a pair of incredibly exciting featherweight matchups. The first of which has English prospect Lerone Murphy taking on Finnish grappling ace Makwan Amirkhani. The second 145-pound bout will see Dagestan's Zubaira Tukhugov take on Brazil's Ricardo Ramos in a true clash of styles.

Lastly, the event's second fight of the night sees a clash between two lightweights with a combined record of 37-5. The two fighters in question are Damir Ismagulov and Magomed Mustafaev, who are both touted as future stars in the 155-pound division.

#4. Khamzat Chimaev's biggest test in the UFC to date

In 2020, Khamzat Chimaev became one of the UFC's biggest breakout stars. Three consecutive stoppage victories over John Phillips, Rhys McKee and Gerald Meerschaert made him an instant favorite.

However, at UFC 267, Chimaev will face his first major step up in competition. He will compete against a ranked opponent for the first time when he takes on Li Jingliang on October 30. 'The Leech' is a rising prospect himself and is coming off a brutal KO victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio.

This fight will determine whether Khamzat Chimaev truly is the next big thing, or if he is yet another fighter who has been hyped up off the back of a few impressive performances.

#3. Dan Hooker has a chance to shock the world

At UFC 266, Dan Hooker made it to the U.S. with only a day to spare. He then went on to put in a dominant three-round performance against Nasrat Haqparast and claimed a unanimous decision victory.

Rather than taking the next available flight back to his home country of New Zealand, Hooker instead signed a contract to step in and face Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 just a month later.

Makhachev had initially been scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos. However, the Brazilian was forced to drop out after sustaining an injury. Dan Hooker is now stepping up to face one of the most feared lightweights in the UFC on only one month's notice. A win here for 'The Hangman' would shock the world.

#2. A UFC interim title fight between two elite bantamweight strikers

UFC 267 was initially set to have current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling defend his title in a rematch against Petr Yan. However, 'Funk Master' since announced that he will not be medically cleared to compete later this month.

As a result, Cory Sandhagen will fill in and compete against 'No Mercy' in a UFC interim title fight. Whilst Sandhagen and Yan do not have the same backstory that Sterling and Yan have, the coming together of their contrasting styles may provide an even more compelling fight.

Sandhagen is a former kickboxer and has pulled off some of the most spectacular KO finishes in recent UFC history. His flying knee against Frankie Edgar and spinning heel kick against Marlon Moraes both come to mind.

Yan, on the other hand, is a lethal Muay Thai practitioner who exemplifies the word brutal when he competes. Fans only have to think back to the Russian's savagely violent display against Urijah Faber as an example of how Yan operates.

#1. Two veterans clash for the UFC light heavyweight title

Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira are both prime examples of what perseverance and an iron will can produce. Between 2014 and 2017, Blachowicz had only one win in five fights. He is now the UFC light heavyweight champion and has already defended his belt against another UFC champ.

Similar can be said of Teixeira. He went 2-3 between 2016 and 2018, which led to many calling for him to retire. Instead, the Brazilian put together a five-fight winning streak that now has him competing for the title at the age of 41.

There is also the added caveat that both men are exciting action fighters with tons of veteran savvy. Expect nothing but fireworks when these two light heavyweights enter the octagon in the main event.