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#4. Charles Oliveira vs. Max Holloway 2 – UFC lightweight division
Charles Oliveira, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has vowed to hold on to his belt for a very long time. The Brazilian has no shortage of opponents at 155 lbs. He is rumored to be taking on Justin Gaethje in the first half of 2022 and has teased a potential bout with Conor McGregor as well.
However, there is another potential bout looming on the horizon for ‘Do Bronx’ against former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway. Holloway fought Oliveira back in 2015 when the duo were both plying their trade at 145 lbs. Unfortunately, the fight ended unceremoniously.
The fight came to an unfortunate end after the Brazilian sustained a neck injury in the first round. Holloway was awarded a TKO victory at UFC Fight Night 74 as a result.
Almost seven years after their first fight, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira are among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Considering Holloway’s championship credentials and status as one of the greatest UFC featherweights of all time, ‘Blessed’ should be allowed a direct title shot against Oliveira, despite not being in the rankings at 155 lbs.
Holloway recently hinted at a potential rematch against Oliveira down the line. Following his most recent victory over Yair Rodriguez, he had this to say in his post-fight interview:
“I got a win over the 155 lbs champion [referring to Charles Oliveira], we got Alex [Volkanovski], I’m on the shortlist for Conor McGregor. Tell ‘em hit my line. We’ll be ready whenever!”
Holloway has also stated on numerous occasions that he will be looking to move to the lightweight division permanently at some point in the future. A title fight against Oliveira would certainly be a fitting re-introduction to 155 lbs for the Hawaiian sensation.
Additionally, the stylistic matchup would truly be a sight to behold. Both fighters are excellent strikers who rarely take a backward step. It’ll be interesting to see how Holloway’s volume-boxing fares against Oliveira’s highly technical Muay Thai skills.
#3. Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2 – UFC strawweight division
Rose Namajunas has emerged as one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster in recent years.
Namajunas sits atop the 115 lbs weight class and is primed to become a long-reigning UFC champion. However, there is a litany of top talent on the rise in the division and she has her work cut out for her if she is to continue defending her belt.
Namajunas has already beaten some of the best fighters in the division, having secured victories over the likes of former champions Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk.
Namajunas and Carla Esparza were contestants on The Ultimate Fighter 20. They were clearly the best fighters on the reality show and made it all the way to the final. The victor was to be crowned the promotion's inaugural strawweight champion.
Carla Esparza came out on top and became the first-ever champion of the 115 lbs division. She remains an ominous presence in the weight class. ‘Cookie Monster’ is undeniably the best wrestler in the division, a strong asset in a bracket seemingly brimming with strikers.
A rematch against Esparza is the obvious next step for Rose Namajunas. The strawweight pair started the division together and the stage is set for them to run it back.
