UFC’s schedule for Q1 2024 is starting to take shape.
UFC CEO Dana White announced three title fights for early 2024 on social media on Monday. First up, UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland will defend his belt against Doricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in Toronto in January. Then, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski returns. Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will have a rematch with Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in March, after dropping down to 145 pounds to face Ilya Topuria at UFC 298 in February.
Strickland (28-5) defeated Israel Adesanya in September to win the belt in a stunning victory. In his first title defense, he will face Du Plessis (20-2). The South African title favorite put an exclamation point on his undefeated Octagon record at 6-0 with a dominant stoppage victory over former champion Robert Whittaker this summer.
Volkanovski (26-3) returned to featherweight after a two-division title shot against Islam Makhachev in October fell through. Volkanovski ultimately lost to Makhachev twice in 2023, and the rematch ended in a brutal first-round knockout, but he is undefeated in his other 13 UFC appearances. His opponent Topria (14-0) is on a six-fight winning streak to start his Octagon career, including a recent decision over Josh Emmett.
O’Malley (17-1, No. 1 North Carolina) is also gearing up for his first title defense, following an impressive second-round KO of Aljamain Sterling in August. He will now face Vera (21-8-1), the only man to beat him in his professional MMA career. Vera had a memorable victory in 2020 with a first-round TKO over O’Malley. Vera has amassed a 5-2 record in the UFC. Since his first matchup with O’Malley, he has earned wins over Rob Font, Frankie Edgar, Pedro Munoz, and Dominick Cruz.
The UFC has not yet announced the official dates, locations, and venues for UFC 298 and UFC 299.
White declined to say whether Volkanovski vs. Topuria or O’Malley vs. Berra 2 would be the main event.
In addition to Strickland vs. Du Plessis, UFC 297 will also feature a bout for the vacant women’s bantamweight title, Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Raquel Pennington.
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