UFC 300 is almost here and the countdown begins. We have already reviewed, evaluated and provided our opinion on the scheduled qualifying matches. Now, let's take a look at the main card of UFC 300, which is considered the biggest fight card in UFC history.
For consistency, we rate each match on a scale of 1-10. For context, 6 is an average score. Ratings are determined by considering competitiveness, potential ranking changes, each fighter's “star power” and overall excitement. The card structure is compliant with UFC. Let's dive in!
UFC 300 – Main Card Rating
Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan – 9/10
This is as great a fight as fans could hope for. A lightweight title eliminator between his two top contenders with an exciting, fan-friendly style and instant classic potential. Former champion Charles Oliveira will be aiming for another shot at the title after defeating Benel Darish by TKO last June. Since then, the UFC finishing record holder was scheduled for a rematch with Islam Makhachev, but was ruled out after being cut. He's 12-1 in his last 13 fights and has headlined four PPVs in his career, so his box office success is guaranteed. He deserves to win the title, but the Brazilians will need a player who won't give them the title.
Arman Tsarukyan is a young up-and-comer who scored the biggest win of his career by knocking out Daruish in the first round of the last Fight Night headliner. He deserves to be an elite candidate and he has exactly that in Oliveria. He is overbearing, fisticuffs in wrestling matches, and always eager to impose his will on his opponents.
This is a very competitive match with a nice blend of both men's styles. Each man is well known to the public as well, and the stakes of the fight itself are huge. The winner simply gets Makhachev.
Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage – 3/10
This is the lowest rated fight on the card because the outcome is inevitable. This match is not scheduled to be very competitive and is a great opportunity to showcase Bo Nikal to the public. With a 1-0 record in the Contender Series, he has the potential to become a megastar. He's good on the mic, has the confidence of a champion, and has the potential to make real waves in the UFC. I understand why this is on the main card to boost Nikkal, but it doesn't deserve to be on the card.
Cody Brundage is 2-3 in his last five fights, with one win coming by DQ. In his last victory, he pummeled his opponent, resulting in the victory. This was a highlight and perhaps that's why he was given the opportunity to fight on such a big card. Although he has never appeared on a UFC main card, he has a chance to play the villain in a big way and shatter the hype for Knickal.
This fight has no ranking possibility and the excitement of the fight as well as the competitiveness is very low, resulting in a low score. It's certainly confusing why this fight is on the main card. Perhaps that's because the UFC knows the bouts won't last long, so each he sees as a “time saver” with the possibility of multiple bouts that could take 25 minutes.
Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje – 8/10
Another banger fight, well above average. Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway both have very fan-friendly styles, and the hype around this production is going to be huge. Gaethje had perhaps the biggest win of his career last July when he sent Dustin Poirier into the abyss with a head kick to win the BMF title. He is all about action and lives up to his nickname, “The Highlight.”
Max Holloway is also a huge fan favorite for his never-say-die attitude and relentless fighting style. His cardio, athleticism, and determination seem unmatched by many, but he's stepping into Gaethje's division. Holloway has dominated everyone at featherweight (not named Alexander Volkanovski), and his past two performances have been dominant.
Holloway's only attempt at 155 pounds didn't go as planned as Poirier pointed out to him that he just didn't try to make a legitimate size and therefore didn't cut weight. He had plenty of warning about this fight, so let's hope he did it effectively.
That's what the BMF title is on the line for, and the match is great without it, but it just serves as an add-on to a great match.
Zhang Weili vs Yang Xiaonan – 7/10
The co-main event of UFC 300 will be an all-Chinese affair as strawweight champion Zhang Weili takes on compatriot Yang Xiaonan in a fierce battle that puts not just a weight class at stake, but a country as well.
The champion has enjoyed a dominant performance in three consecutive fights, defeating Amanda Lemos in five consecutive rounds in her last bout. The point is, she's winning the fight and she's looking better with each of her performances. She is a big star especially in China and is also a favorite of her fans. It's sure to be a tough match between the two women, especially with the strawweight gold medal on the line.
Yang Xiaonan is a worthy player to win the gold medal. She has won two in a row and knocked out former champion Jessica Andrade in her last fight. Although she hasn't broken into the mainstream yet, she definitely has the potential to become a megastar if she wins.
Not only are these girls fighting for the belt, but they're also fighting for patriotic pride on top of that, so it should be a great fight.
Alex Pereira vs Jamahal Hill – 6/10
Average is exactly what this fight is, and unfortunately, it's worth this fight. As we know, this fight was hastily assembled as the biggest fight card in UFC history, but this is not at all what people imagined.
Alex Pereira is definitely a megastar. The Brazilian is a two-division world champion and has a highlight reel to match his feared reputation. His stand-up game is without a doubt one of the best in the UFC, and as the current light heavyweight champion he has a crown to defend.
Yes, Jamahal Hill is a former champion. Yes, he never actually lost the belt, but gave it up due to injury. Yes, he is a strong stand-up fighter with 7 KOs in 12 wins, suggesting it will be a fan-friendly fight. However, there is little interest in this battle. Many expect Pereira to get in there and run up the hill, which could easily happen, but the American is full of confidence and has a chance to pull off a big upset.
The match itself wasn't bad. Would it make sense for the current champion to face a former champion who has never lost the belt outside of UFC 300? Unfortunately, Hill is not well known outside of his hardcore fans. He never “hit it off” with casual fans, which ultimately led to the strange decision to co-headline his biggest UFC event of all time.
We know that Pereira vs. Hill wasn't Dana White's original plan for the main spot at UFC 300, and it feels like a hastily thrown together fight.
I'd like to see these two take everyone's word for it in the main event and put up an epic battle, but right now they're the weakest five-rounders on the main card.
Overall rating – 9/10
There's one obvious reason why this card isn't a 10/10, and we know what it is. Nikkal doesn't have a place on the main card, but he was given one. Of course, it's not his fault, but you know, he's going to get the “Dana White push.” That aside, aside from the headliner, every match on the main card is above average. That being said, Hill vs. Pereira could bring fireworks.
Is this the best main card we've ever seen? It's definitely in the top, but it's not in the top five of all time. This is as it should be.
