Last week, we covered all of the upcoming UFC title fights and their available odds. Today, we’re going over upcoming fights that could be considered title eliminators. Of course, we use that term loosely, considering how the UFC has a history of calling certain bouts eliminators and then changing their minds. But each of the following bouts feature contenders that are arguably a win away from a title challenge.
HEAVYWEIGHTS
UFC 195, January 2
Andrei Arlovski +185 vs. Stipe Miocic -265
Withdrawing from UFC Fight Night 77 turned out to be a boon for Stipe Miocic, because now he gets a higher profile matchup against Andrei Arlovski. The former UFC heavyweight champion has rattled off four wins in a row for a stunning career resurgence, while Miocic has hung around the top-4 for the better part of a year. It’s likely that the victor of this bout will fight the winner of Werdum-Velasquez 2, which the UFC is targeting for March 2016.
While Miocic has struggled to gain a fan base, he’s been consistently very good and has the benefit of never having challenged for a title. Arlovski’s comeback story at age 36 is also a compelling narrative, and he’s always been one of the more recognizable names in the division.
LIGHTWEIGHTS
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 22 FINALE, DECEMBER 11
Khabib Nurmagomedov -280 vs. Tony Ferguson +230
Nurmagomedov, part of the surge of Dagestani fighters coming to the UFC, has long been pegged as a future 155-pound champion - but he’s had problems staying healthy. Undefeated in 22 wins, Nurmogomedov’s last fight just happens to be a victory over the current lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos. He is arguably one win over a credible opponent away.
Ferguson is one of the hottest fighters in a loaded division, coming into the matchup with a six-fight winning streak. Beating Nurmagomedov would provide the signature victory he needs to stake his claim as a title challenger.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
UFC 194, DECEMBER 12
Ronaldo Souza -165 vs. Yoel Romero
The Brazilian Souza will face Cuba’s Romero at UFC 194, one fight before the middleweight championship fight between Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold takes place. That’s not a coincidence. A Strikeforce champion and multiple-time world champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Souza has yet to lose in fight UFC fights - a list that includes wins over Yushin Okami and Gegard Mousasi. The hulking Romero is a former Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling, with a 6-0 octagon resume that features scalps from top 185ers like Tim Kennedy and Lyoto Machida.
Both men are considered top-5 fighters in the weight class, and Dana White has stated publicly that the winner of this matchup will get the next shot at the title. There’s a lot to like about each as a title challenger, as Souza and Romero have elite skills in different areas of MMA.
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