5 matchups for Dana White to consider ahead of International Fight Week
5 International Fight Week headliner candidates for UFC 317 PPV for Dana White and UFC brass to consider.
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Matchmakers have ginormous task ahead of UFC 317 PPV for International Fight Week (Source: X)
UFC 2024 was an unprecedented year. Dana White and the UFC brass have a mammoth task ahead of them as they plan this year’s annual festivities. It all culminates on 28 June with UFC 317 PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight week at the end of June will be this year’s International Fight Week as well.
In the past, the International Fight Week event mirrors the Super Bowl of mixed combat culture. That’s because the headliner sets it apart from other pay-per-views throughout the year. UFC 264 was a historic one with Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier in a legendary grudge scrapper. It would also mark McGregor’s long hiatus since the 2021 TKO injury loss.
Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 in 2022 and Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in 2023 were noteworthy headliner bouts. Subsequently, Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 was a quick turnaround on just a few weeks’ notice at UFC 303 PPV in 2024. UFC 317 really needs to amp the pace with a worthy pay-per-view headliner event. Here are some options.
5. A 265-pound unifier at long last
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall for a UFC 265-pound unification has to be the go-to choice for a 2025 super fight. UFC 317 at International Fight Week would be a good sell. The crowd at UFC 309 went wild when the UFC brass tapped Aspinall as the winner for “Bones” vs. Stipe Miocic. Now, the Brit interim champion needs his pound of flesh.
An induction ceremony for the UFC Hall of Fame will also take place on the 26th. June 27 and 28 will feature UFC X, a “two-day immersive fan experience”. Instead of the traditional early July slot, the IFW celebrations begin on June 26 in Las Vegas and conclude on June 28 at the T-Mobile Arena for UFC 317 PPV. “Bones” is a big draw and has fought before at T-Mobile. This seems the easy way to go.
Yet, Jones did say he needs “f—k you” money to consider unification. MMA purists also reinforce that, saying Aspinall does not do much for his legacy. However, Dana White himself guarantees it’s the biggest fight to make at heavyweight right now. Last month, White also nudged they’d move on from the Jones vs. Aspinall pairing if a deal cannot be made. Uh, oh — will there be another option to sub in?
4. The Stoic and the GOAT goes ‘heavy’
If not Jones vs. Aspinall, Jones vs. Alex Pereira would be roof-shattering. “Poatan” has had a one-of-a-kind 2024 with triple KO title defenses. Pereira has also been vying for a move up. He has more fandom behind him right now than Aspinall and Jon Jones combined.
During 2024, Pereira was the most searched fighter on multiple domains; not GOAT Jones or anyone else. The once São Bernardo do Campo favela fighter is also a big stateside PPV draw. Poatan was the most marketable UFC fighter in 2024.
The Brazilian superstar has long overtaken “Bones” as the unofficial No.1 pound-for-pound in outlets such as Sportsnet/USA TODAY Sports/SBNation Network. “Potan” is scheduled to face No. 1 contender Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313.
Pereira already pitched in on short notice for UFC 303’s International Fight Week. He said yes to yet another short camp title fight last year. So, UFC 317 could be the same if he goes unscathed. White does not approve of his move to heavyweight; he also believes Jones outsizes him. But there’s no denying this unorthodox pairing has its merits and could be a sweet PPV spotlight.
3. Double champ is on the way?
Speaking of such names and PPV buys, and a legacy factor, ‘champ champ’ is the way to roll. Many names on this list can tout that double-championship status. Many still hunt for it. Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev are two names that are mapping their journeys and are clashing due to it.
Topruia phased out two featherweight GOATs. This has included Aussie featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski as well. Meanwhile, longtime reigning UFC 155-pound champ Makhachev is on a neat 15-fight win streak. He has made historic 4 title defenses as well.
Makhachev seems hesitant about this fight. He has already beaten former featherweights. But all he’s got waiting for him at lightweight is to rematch top draws. Plus, Topuria’s star power feels stronger at the moment – he is the 2024 Male Fighter of the Year by several outlets. Where legacy factor or a skills test is concerned, this makes even more sense than any Jones or “Poatan” scrappers for UFC 317.
2. Plot Armor vs. Finisher
This one might not be higher on the skill-to-skill test rating like Topuria vs. Makhachev at UFC lightweight. The dominant Dagestani is well-rounded MMA fighter, and so is Topuria, but with greater knockout power. However, when considering the mind-boggling “wow” factor, it has to be Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis that overtakes them!
The Chechen wolf is a freestyle wrestling bona fide legend and a national champ in Sweden. Chimaev is explosive within the lean-in and has been a berserker in multiple weight divisions. The open stance animalistic “Borz” solidified his 185-pound top contender spot with a recent ungodly submission over the longstay Robert Whittaker.
Meanwhile, Du Plessis is a striking berserker as well with a very unique Hail Mary style. Chimaev blitzes on the wrestle heavy lean-ins while DDP blitzes on the counter with wild swings! A Black belt in kickboxing (2nd degree), he gets the spatial distancing with awkward but accurate timing.
Stylistically, Makhachev and Jones at their best are the best of MMA. But if International Fight Week were to get something more bonkers, it’d be this! Jaw-dropping pace and results are all-inclusive. Moreover, it could establish Chimaev or DDP as a major PPV attraction in the US, especially for the middleweights as Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland are on the decline.
1. Conor McGregor vs. …Anybody?
Of all that could happen; of all that matchmaker Mick Maynard or CBO/head litigator Hunter Campbell would come up with, Conor McGregor is the longest of long shots. “The Notorious” returning would be also a bittersweet experience. McGregor sunk the previous International Fight Week. It’d be a karmic trade and justice if he saves this one at UFC 317.
McGregor holds no rankings, ballot appearances, or pound-for-pound performances recently. But his effect on UFC competition brought on a different kind of fanfare. McGregor is still the ‘it’ man of global UFC/MMA cultures.
The PPV buyrate just propels high with him in it. His supposed return for UFC 303 vs. Michael Chandler made over $20 million in live gate income and sweepstakes. His media availability sold out Dublin’s 3Arena within minutes.
If the UFC decides the time is right to get its biggest star back and can get an agreement in place, International Fighting Week makes sense. Against who? The Nate Diaz trilogy, Jorge Masvidal, and Chander would all be good options. There are currently no fights announced for UFC 317. After four years, McGregor can bring in the thunder like no one else. It’s just a “Notorious” notoriety.
Related: 3 reasons Khamzat Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis will be EPIC
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