Anticipated UFC Bouts in October's Lineup – Five Must-See Bouts
Rebooting the Octagon Excitement abounds in UFC's October lineup with two thrilling pay-per-view events, featuring three title fights across four shows. Here's a look at the most electrifying match-ups the UFC has in store for fans next month, as put together by Quintin van Jaarsveld.
Battle of the BrutalizersSunday, October 6 – Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defends his title against Khalil Rountree Jr in the main event of UFC 307 at Utah's Delta Center, with a potential Fighter of the Year title on the line for Pereira should he secure a win. The former kickboxing legend has left an indelible mark on the MMA world in his breakout year, brushing aside Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka with emphatic, jaw-dropping stoppages.
The surprising challenger, Rountree, who ranks eighth among light heavyweights, has earned himself a shot at glory after an impressive five-fight win streak. Despite a positive banned substance test earlier this year, the American will have a chance to turn heads and potentially pull off the upset of the year.
Pennington vs. Pena Rugged RumbleAlso happening on October 6, the co-main event of UFC 307 sees reigning bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington defend her title against former champion Juliana Pena. Pennington has been on a six-fight winning streak, with a recent victory over Mayra Bueno Silva earning her the vacant title in January. A first successful defense against Pena will give her the chance to silence her doubters and establish herself as a genuine bantamweight contender.
Pena stunned the MMA world in 2021 when she dethroned Amanda Nunes, the undisputed female GOAT, to claim the belt. However, she suffered a one-sided decision loss to Nunes in their rematch last year. This October matchup will demonstrate whether Pena is truly the rightful champion or if Pennington has the mettle to define her era.
Topuria takes on the Featherweight KingFast forward to October 26, as UFC 308 rings in with a featherweight title showdown between champion Ilia Topuria and BMF champion Max Holloway. The main event marks the first time a UFC champion will face a BMF titleholder, a battle that promises to be nothing short of electric. Topuria proved himself a devastating force when he vanquished Alexander Volkanovski in February to claim the throne. The undefeated 25-year-old aims to continue his reign as he faces the featherweight GOAT, Holloway, who knocked out Justin Gaethje in the final seconds of their clash earlier this year to secure the BMF belt.
Whittaker vs. Chimaev: Next Middleweight ChallengerAlongside the featherweight title fight, UFC 308 boasts a highly-anticipated co-headliner between former champion Robert Whittaker and undefeated powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev. The pair were originally slated to clash in June, with Chimaev being forced to withdraw due to illness. Whittaker instead squared off against Ikram Aliskerov, whom he defeated by TKO in the opening round.
Chimaev represents a formidable challenge for Whittaker, with his unmatched grappling and fearsome power. A victory for the undefeated Chechen fighter would set the stage for a middleweight title showdown against Dricus du Plessis, who is expected to face Sean Strickland in a rematch following their controversial draw earlier this year.
Ankalaev vs. Rakic: Light Heavyweight Title on the LineFinally, also taking place on October 26, Ankalaev and Rakic will square off with the light heavyweight title on the line. Both Ankalaev, who is currently ranked second, and Rakic, ranked fifth, narrowly missed out on the opportunity to face Alex Pereira for the title. Ankalaev, who hasn't lost since his UFC debut in 2018, feels he presents a nightmare matchup for Pereira and that the UFC is protecting the champion from him. Rakic, meanwhile, aims to halt a two-fight skid after successive TKO losses to Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka. The winner of this clash will secure a shot at the title and a chance to challenge Pereira for the undisputed light heavyweight crown.
Predictions for the upcoming sports events in October include a thrilling title defense by Alex Pereira in rugby, where he faces Khalil Rountree Jr in UFC 307, potentially securing the Fighter of the Year title. Additionally, the sports world will witness Raquel Pennington's sports title defense against Juliana Pena in the co-main event of UFC 307, a matchup that could define Pennington as a genuine sports contender.
