5 UFC prospects who could break into title contention before the end of 2024
The first UFC event of the second half of 2024 goes down this weekend. With just six months of the year left, then, which prospects could break into title contention?
It's always hard to predict which prospects will move into contention for a UFC title, primarily because anything can happen in the octagon.
However, if the following fighters can stay injury-free and pick up key wins, by the end of 2024, they should be in the title picture in their weight class.
Here are five UFC prospects who could break into title contention before the end of 2024.
#5 Michel Pereira - UFC middleweight contender
During his initial run in the UFC as a welterweight, Michel Pereira developed a reputation as somewhat of a figure of fun.
'Demolidor' was better known for his insane low-percentage attacks that included spins and flips more than his actual fighting ability. While he did show flashes of his skills, it felt like the chances of him climbing into contention were slim.
However, when the Brazilian returned to the octagon at the back end of 2020, he appeared to have adjusted his style slightly. To say that it's been working for him would be an understatement.
Pereira still throws low-percentage shots, but he now mixes them up with a far more technical striking game and looks to make use of his grappling skills, too.
This approach has taken him on a lengthy eight-fight win streak, and since moving to 185 pounds, he's finished all three of his opponents in nasty fashion.
With a marketable look and style, 'Demolidor' is the kind of fighter the promotion could get behind as a potential star.
Pereira is set to fight Anthony Hernandez in September, and if he wins and can pick up another key victory this year, it's highly likely he'll advance into the upper echelon at 185 pounds and become a true contender.
#4 Paddy Pimblett - UFC lightweight contender
While he's described himself as the 'UFC's next cash cow', many fans would scoff at the idea of Paddy Pimblett climbing into contention for the lightweight title.
Despite this, 'The Baddy' might not be actually too far away from that kind of position. The native of Liverpool is set to face off with No.15-ranked 155-pounder Bobby Green later this month, and if he can win, he's sure to crack the rankings.
Realistically, is it that far-fetched to imagine Pimblett as a potential title contender? In all honesty, stranger things have happened in the UFC before.
'The Baddy' has excellent striking skills, a very tricky ground game, and a seemingly endless gas tank. He isn't the best in any single area, but he's got the ability to give any opponent trouble, and he is still unbeaten in the octagon at 5-0.
Sure, Green will be his first massive test - former titleholder Tony Ferguson was past his best when Pimblett beat him - but if he can pass that test, then who knows?
At the end of the day, another popular British fighter - Michael Bisping - was also written off, and he ended up not only becoming a title contender, but a champion too.
Only time will tell whether 'The Baddy' follows in his footsteps. However, if he beats Green, then he could well emerge as a title contender before 2024 is out.
#3 Umar Nurmagomedov - UFC bantamweight contender
In the eyes of some fans, Umar Nurmagomedov would probably be considered a contender for the UFC bantamweight title already.
However, the truth is that the cousin of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov still needs that one big win to push him up into proper title contention. Currently ranked at No.10 in the division, 'Young Eagle' is on the cusp of something special.
He could well produce that when he faces former title challenger Cory Sandhagen in August.
'The Sandman' is ranked at No.2 in the division and holds wins over the likes of Marlon Vera, Song Yadong and Frankie Edgar. The only fighter to truly handle him was former titleholder Aljamain Sterling.
However, like his cousin, Nurmagomedov is a truly terrifying grappler with a takedown that's hard to stop. At 5-0 in the octagon and 17-0 overall, nobody has been able to truly test him thus far.
If 'Young Eagle' can get past Sandhagen, and if he can dispatch him like Sterling did, then not only will he break into title contention, he could become the division's top contender outright.
#2 Diego Lopes - UFC featherweight contender
It's arguable that few fighters in recent years have broken into the UFC with such an impact as Diego Lopes. The Mexico-based Brazilian has gone from being an unknown to the cusp of title contention in just over a year.
Lopes debuted in the octagon last year with a tricky loss to the unbeaten Movsar Evloev on short notice. It was clear that he had talent, but he's surpassed even the highest expectations since.
He now finds himself on a four-fight win streak, having dispatched Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, Sodiq Yusuff and most recently, Dan Ige. Now ranked at No.12 in the featherweight division, a climb into title contention seems almost inevitable.
How can the Brazilian get there? The UFC clearly has faith in him, as they initially booked him against former title challenger Brian Ortega last month before Ige was forced to step in on late notice.
Assuming the fight with 'T-City' gets put back together, a win - or even a strong showing - from Lopes would probably propel him up the ladder, perhaps even into the top five.
At that stage, there wouldn't be much between the Brazilian and a title shot. Based on what he's done thus far, it's hard to doubt that he'll make it there.
#1 Carlos Ulberg - UFC light heavyweight contender
Had things gone slightly differently last month, Carlos Ulberg may already be considered a contender for the light-heavyweight title.
'Black Jag' looked all set to face No.1-ranked contender and former titleholder Jamahal Hill in the co-headliner of UFC 303. However, 'Sweet Dreams' ended up withdrawing, and eventually, so did Ulberg, citing an undisclosed injury.
The big question now is whether the promotion will put the fight with Hill back together for a future event, or whether they'll look to match Ulberg with another highly-ranked foe.
Either way, it seems almost certain that the training partner of Israel Adesanya is destined for the top. Since losing his octagon debut to Kennedy Nzechukwu in 2021, 'Black Jag' has been unstoppable.
He's reeled off six straight wins, culminating in a 12-second victory over the dangerous Alonzo Menifield in May. With heavy hands, a technical kickboxing style, and - based on his win over Da Un Jung - a quickly developing ground game, Ulberg is clearly dangerous.
More to the point, many of the top ranked 205 pounders in the UFC are getting older, opening up a potential spot for a prospect like 'Black Jag'. With the right fight and the right victory, he should definitely climb into contention before this year is out.