Earlier this week, we previewed all the upcoming title fights up to UFC 200. Today, we’re looking at probable title eliminators. We all know that “guaranteed” title shots are anything but guaranteed - but these are bouts between the top contenders in a division. There are always fighters who are in the “one win away” position.
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HEAVYWEIGHTS
UFC Fight Night 86, April 10
Ben Rothwell -110
Junior dos Santos -102
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -140, under +120
This is a title eliminator for Ben Rothwell only. Dos Santos is coming off a knockout loss to Alistair Overeem and will need a few more wins to be considered a legitimate contender. But Big Ben has won four straight, and with stoppages over Josh Barnett and Overeem during that streak. A win over a former champion in dos Santos would likely seal the deal for Rothwell to get a crack at the Werdum-Miocic winner.
LIGHTWEIGHTS
UFC on FOX 19, April 16
Khabib Nurmagomedov -170
Tony Ferguson +140
Over/under 3.5 rounds, over -175, under +155
Honestly, there’s no way the winner of this fight doesn’t end up as the next title challenger. Ferguson is the hottest lightweight in the UFC, and Nurmagomedov’s last fight was a win over current champion Rafael dos Anjos. You could make the argument that Eddie Alvarez has a case, but eking out split decisions is not the best way to convince your bosses your ready for a title.
STRAWWEIGHTS
UFC on FOX 19, April 16
Rose Namajunas -175
Tecia Torres +150
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -235, under +195
Welcome to the thinnest division in the UFC, where a fighter with 4-2 record is considered a legitimate title contender. That’s not a knock on “Thug”, who is rapidly evolving and definitely one of the top fighters at strawweight. She’ll have a chance to avenge one of her losses when she squares off against Tecia Torres, who is undefeated at 7-0. These girls are the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked fighters in the division, so it makes sense that the winner goes onto face the champ.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
UFC 198, May 14
Ronaldo Souza -300
Vitor Belfort +250
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -125, under +105
Souza just came out of a title eliminator, emerging on the wrong side of a close split decision against Yoel Romero. Making matters worse, Romero tested positive for PEDs, which might overturn the decision. Now, he’ll get another shot at earning a shot against former title challenger Vitor Belfort - who remains out of the picture based on his recent loss to Chris Weidman. Champion Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman are in an immediate rematch, and Souza will be a welcome change of opponent for the winner.
WELTERWEIGHTS
UFC Fight Night 89, June 18
Projected odds:
Stephen Thompson -160
Rory MacDonald +140
Stephen Thompson just set the welterweight division aflame with his one-round thrashing of former champion Johny Hendricks. The hype he generated from that fight alone probably came close to getting him a title shot, but for now he’ll have to prove at least one more time that he’s worthy of it. He can do that against Rory MacDonald, who is fresh off a Fight of the Year where he would have dethroned champion Robbie Lawler had he not succumbed to fifth round punches.
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