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One of the most highly anticipated cards in recent history, UFC 266, goes down this weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The pay-per-view features two title fights, with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski taking on Brian Ortega and women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko facing off against Lauren Murphy.
Arguably the biggest attraction at the event comes in the form of fan favorite Nick Diaz, who returns to the octagon for the first time in six years to take on former foe Robbie Lawler.
While the big names will undoubtedly have their time in the sun, several lesser-known fighters could use the occasion to put their names out there. Here are five underrated fighters who have the potential to steal the show at UFC 266.
#5 UFC heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik
The UFC heavyweight division is curiously placed right now. While undisputed champion Francis Ngannou and interim champion Ciryl Gane are set to meet in the coming months, UFC legends Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones are waiting for their shot at the title.
Amidst all the commotion at the top of the division, Jairzinho Rozenstruik has been dismissed by most. Currently ranked sixth, the Suriname-born fighter has already fought twice this year. Although he was comprehensively outpointed by Gane, he recovered well to knock out Augusto Sakai in the very first round.
Rozenstruik's upcoming fight at UFC 266 against Curtis Blaydes will give him the opportunity to establish himself as a genuine heavyweight contender. Although 'Bigi Boy' enters the fight as an underdog, he has the knockout power to produce a miraculous win at any instant. If he overcomes his issues with output and manages to resist Blaydes' takedown attempts, he could be in prime position to move up the heavyweight rankings rapidly.
Rozenstruik is must-watch, and he has the ability to steal the show in any event he is part of with his bone-chilling power. His only two losses in the UFC have come to the current champions, Gane and Ngannou, and he will be taken seriously if he beats a fighter as talented and unique as 'Razor'.
#4 UFC lightweight Nasrat Haqparast
In a bit of unique matchmaking, eighth-ranked Dan Hooker will face off against the unranked Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266. 'The Hangman' has lost two on the trot, with his most recent loss coming to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. It seems like a rebound fight for the Kiwi, but Haqparast is anything but a pushover.
A man who debuted in the UFC in October 2017, the 26-year-old has won five of his seven fights in the promotion and is well on the rise in the lightweight division. He has two bonuses to his name and holds an impressive 13-3 record.
Hooker himself has acknowledged the threat Haqparast possesses, having claimed that the German fighter has the same skillset as several ranked fighters. We could see Haqparast break into the UFC lightweight rankings if he manages to defeat Hooker, assuming he sorts out his visa issues to make it to UFC 266.
#3 UFC women's flyweight Manon Fiorot
We've already discussed numerous talented strikers who are competing at UFC 266, but the card just doesn't seem to run out of them. Manon Fiorot has had a stellar start to her UFC career with knockout wins over Victoria Leonardo and Tabatha Ricci.
An extremely dangerous striker with extensive experience in karate and Muay Thai, Fiorot appears to have what it takes to compete with the best flyweights in the world despite only eight professional fights under her belt. 'The Beast' faces Mayra Bueno Silva, a Contender Series alum with four UFC fights.
Fiorot is already talked about as one of the few fighters with the striking pedigree and well-roundedness to challenge champion Valentina Shevchenko, who fights on the same card. If the France native can churn out another highlight-reel knockout, she could steal the show at UFC 266 and campaign for an early title shot.
#2 UFC women's flyweight Lauren Murphy
On paper, Lauren Murphy seems like an extremely easy opponent for Valentina Shevchenko. But 'Lucky', who's on a five-fight win streak, has everything on the line at UFC 266.
At 38 years old, Murphy is reaching the end of her fighting career and seems to have peaked. She has used her explosive takedowns and solid top control to great effect in the recent past, and is a capable striker as well.
While it doesn't seem like Murphy is better than Shevchenko at anything, stranger things have happened in MMA. The momentum Murphy's riding, combined with the fact that even a fighter as great as 'Bullet' is bound to have a bad performance, could lead to a historic upset if 'Lucky' manages to formulate and stick to a solid gameplan.
It doesn't seem likely, but the overlooked Murphy could steal the show at UFC 266.
#1 UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski
UFC champions generally aren't underrated. In fact, it could even be argued that having the belt wrapped around their waist leads to fighters being looked upon in a different light.
However, Alexander Volkanovski doesn't get the recognition he deserves. This is largely due to his decision wins over Max Holloway, especially the second one, being controversial. Volkanovski's understated nature and lack of charisma don't work in his favor either.
'The Great' enters his UFC 266 fight against Brian Ortega as the favorite, but it could be argued that the majority of fans want 'T-City' to dethrone the champion. Not only would that set up an enticing rematch between Ortega and Holloway, but it would also ensure that a more entertaining champion would be at the top of the featherweight division.
Volkanovski has a point to prove at UFC 266, with a fascinating TUF season in his rearview mirrors. He hasn't been taken completely seriously so far, but a win over an extremely talented, well-rounded fighter in Ortega would go a long way in fetching him the respect he deserves.
