5 fighters who could capitalize on the extra spotlight offered at UFC 303
UFC 302 goes down this weekend. However, plenty of fans are already looking past it, because the return of Conor McGregor is on the horizon.
UFC 303 is set to take place at the end of June, with 'The Notorious' returning in the headliner. The presence of McGregor should offer a massive spotlight to the event.
So which fighters, outside of Michael Chandler, of course, are primed to make the most of the extra spotlight offered by the presence of the Irishman? There are a number of contenders.
Here are five fighters who could the make the most of the extra spotlight offered at UFC 303.
#5 Ian Machado Garry - UFC welterweight contender
It might be a copout to suggest that welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry might see his profile grow thanks to UFC 303's added spotlight.
After all, 'The Future' is already considered a contender at 170 pounds, as he holds an impressive 14-0 record and is ranked at No.7.
The Irishman has also become one of the promotion's more controversial characters thanks to his willingness to talk trash and his cocksure attitude.
However, Garry is still waiting for that one big moment to push him over the top as a true star, and that could definitely come at the end of June.
'The Future' will face off with former Bellator star Michael 'Venom' Page in one of the event's biggest fights. If he can pull off a win over Page, particularly via a finish, it'd be huge for his career.
More to the point, if he can get the fans on his side in his rivalry with Colby Covington - who is being accused of dodging the Irishman - then he could definitely move to another level.
In this case, one Irishman - Conor McGregor - could inadvertently do a huge favor to another.
#4 Michael 'Venom' Page - UFC welterweight contender
While there's certainly a chance for Ian Machado Garry to increase his star power with a win at UFC 303, the same can also be said for his opponent, Michael 'Venom' Page.
Page made his long-awaited octagon debut at UFC 299 earlier this year, but while that event was a loaded one, it didn't feature Conor McGregor in the headliner.
Essentially, Page - who went viral more than once for his wild knockouts in the Bellator cage - will enjoy the biggest spotlight of his career at the end of next month.
If he can produce another highlight reel finish of a fighter who would also be considered his toughest-ever foe, he could shoot into the stratosphere as a star.
Realistically, it's unlikely that it happens. Garry, on paper at least, is a horrible stylistic match for 'Venom'. Page is also older than many fans realize, and could be reaching the end of his physical prime.
However, if he does pull it off, it'll likely be in special fashion, and given the added spotlight around the event, 'Venom' could become a superstar.
#3 Joe Pyfer - UFC middleweight contender
Middleweight prospect Joe Pyfer has been tipped for stardom ever since his appearance on Dana White's Contender Series in 2022.
A charismatic fighter with a heavy-handed style, 'Bodybagz' put together three consecutive wins after his octagon debut. The UFC also appeared to want to push him heavily, but a headline bout with Jack Hermansson earlier this year proved to be a step too far, as he lost a decision.
Next month's event will see Pyfer face Marc-Andre Barriault, though, and it's a fight that's definitely more winnable for the prospect. Pyfer will hope to be the faster, harder-hitting fighter, and should be hopeful of a knockout win.
Given his charisma and the fact that he's already a favorite of Dana White's, Pyfer will definitely be given the opportunity to shine at the event. Based on what we've seen of him previously, he's definitely got the ability to grab that opportunity with both hands.
#2 Payton Talbott - UFC bantamweight contender
One of the first fights announced for UFC 303 was a bantamweight tilt between Payton Talbott and Yanis Ghemmouri. While neither man has the biggest name at the minute, it's safe to say which fighter the promotion wants to grasp the spotlight.
Ghemmouri has fought once in the octagon before, losing to William Gomis via TKO last September. Talbott, meanwhile, looks like about as high-level prospect as it gets in 2024.
Just 25 years old, Talbott debuted in the octagon last November, dispatching Nick Aguirre via submission. Since then, he's also defeated the highly-rated Cameron Saaiman, stopping him with strikes in the second round.
From what we've seen of this prospect, he has little to no weaknesses and dangerous skills in all areas, but particularly shines on the feet. Although he has played down the comparison, the fact that he's been labeled as the "new Sean O'Malley" is telling.
Given his fight next month looks basically like a gimme, assuming the promotion showcase him on the main card, this talented bantamweight has every chance of capitalizing on the Conor McGregor-fuelled spotlight he'll be under.
If things go correctly, in fact, he could well leave the event as the promotion's newest star.
#1. Carlos Ulberg - UFC light-heavyweight contender
As wild as it sounds, the fighter who has the best chance of capitalizing on the added spotlight at UFC 303 wasn't even booked to compete at the event initially.
Carlos Ulberg last fought just a couple of weeks ago, when he took out Alonzo Menifield in just 12 seconds. The win elevated 'Black Jag' into the top fifteen at 205 pounds, landing him in the rankings at No.11.
It was expected that the training partner of Israel Adesanya would fight again in the summer, but instead, he's snatched a major opportunity.
With Khalil Rountree sidelined after testing positive for banned substances, Ulberg is set to fight former light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill in UFC 303's co-main event.
It will easily be the biggest spotlight of Ulberg's career, but unlike when he wilted under the pressure in his octagon debut, he now seems ready to shine. 'Black Jag' has won his last six fights in a row, going the distance just once.
Given that Hill was knocked out badly by Alex Pereira in April, it's hard to know what he'll look like upon his return. However, in many ways, Ulberg matches well with him from a stylistic point of view anyway.
Essentially, this fight feels like one of those quirks of fate that happen in MMA sometimes. There's a huge chance, then, that due to the added spotlight from the presence of Conor McGregor, that Ulberg walks away next month looking like the promotion's next big thing.