5 undercard fighters to keep a close eye on at UFC 284
This weekend sees UFC 284 take place in Perth, Australia,. Unsurprisingly, most of the focus is on the two title fights at the top of the card.
UFC 284 is much more than two title bouts, though, and there are a number of high-level fighters set to compete on the undercard of this event. With potential future champions, hot prospects and returning contenders all in action, this is a show that looks worth watching from top to bottom.
Here are five undercard fighters worth keeping an eye on at UFC 284.
#5. Zubaira Tukhugov – UFC lightweight
Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov ascended to the top of the UFC around five years ago, there has been plenty of focus on the promotion’s other fighters from a similar background.
We’ve seen the likes of Islam Makhachev, Magomed Ankalaev and Khamzat Chimaev all become stars to a certain degree, with a number of other fighters from Chechnya or Dagestan also beginning to rise to prominence.
One fighter who seems to have been forgotten in that sense is Zubaira Tukhugov. ‘The Warrior’ has been with the UFC since 2014, but despite putting together an impressive record of 5-2-1, he seems to be flying under the radar coming into this weekend’s event.
OOH @ZubairaTukhugov finding his range in the first 👊💥
[ #UFC267 | Tune in LIVE on @ESPNPlus | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] https://t.co/Uk19DYf6nR
Why is this? Perhaps it’s because he hasn’t fought in over a year after outpointing Ricardo Ramos, or perhaps it’s because he’s better known for being part of the infamous brawl that followed Khabib’s 2018 bout with Conor McGregor than anything else.
Either way, he’s a fighter well worth watching at this weekend’s event. Initially pegged to fight prospect Joel Alvarez, he’ll instead be faced with newcomer Elves Brenner, an opponent he’ll be expected to defeat easily.
If Tukhugov can shine in this fight, he might well gain some momentum and could even climb back towards the top 15 at lightweight, making him a man to watch.
#4. Melsik Baghdasaryan – UFC featherweight
When Melsik Baghdasaryan made his UFC debut in 2021, he produced one of the most thrilling finishes of the year by dispatching Collin Anglin with a head kick.
#UFCVegas33Head kick KO in your UFC debut? ✅ #UFCVegas33 https://t.co/v6CbfZ75GV
The win was enough to net ‘The Gun’ a $50k bonus, and when he returned just four months later to beat Bruno Souza, it was clear that he was a prospect to watch.
However, since then, the renowned kickboxer has been on the shelf after being forced out of two bouts in 2022 with injuries. This weekend will see his return to the octagon as he faces Australia’s own Joshua Culibao.
This promises to be a tricky test for ‘The Gun’. Culibao has won two of his four octagon appearances, only losing to the highly rated Jalin Turner.
However, he doesn’t appear to have the kind of explosive striking possessed by Baghdasaryan. If he comes in with his usual aggressive approach, then the former kickboxer may be able to pick him off.
Overall, this fight is likely to produce a thrilling finish whichever way it goes, but ‘The Gun’ should be favored. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him claim another $50k bonus along the way.
#3. Jimmy Crute – UFC light heavyweight
The main card this weekend will open with a light heavyweight throwdown between Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield. It seems likely that this fight will not go to the judges.
Of the two, though, it’s Crute who is the more likely to rise to prominence in the future, making him the fighter to watch more closely.
‘The Brute’ is still just 26 years old, making him very young for a 205lber. Despite that, he’s got plenty of experience under his belt already. He’s fought on seven occasions in the octagon, going 4-3 and producing wins over Paul Craig and Sam Alvey.
Jimmy Crute!
@CruteJim gets the tap in his Octagon debut! Wow! #UFCAdelaide https://t.co/bFRIL45POF
Sure, Crute has lost his last two bouts pretty badly, being stopped by both Anthony Smith and Jamahal Hill, but he still has the potential to become an elite fighter in the near future.
Can he begin that climb to the top against Menifield this weekend? ‘Atomic’ is a dangerous foe for anyone due to his punching power, but he’s also limited, particularly on the ground. That's something Crute could take advantage of.
Essentially, the only thing that the Australian needs right now is a little more poise to prevent him from becoming too reckless. If he can fight in a more measured style this weekend, he could win handily, making him a fighter to keep an eye on.
#2. Tyson Pedro – UFC light heavyweight
While Alonzo Menifield and Jimmy Crute have been given a main card slot at UFC 284 this weekend, the light heavyweight with the most potential set to compete this weekend could well be Tyson Pedro.
Pedro is booked to face Modestas Bukauskas on the preliminary card. A victory would make him 3-0 in his last three visits to the octagon, something that could move him back up into the top 15 at 205 pounds.
The last two times we’ve seen the Australian in action, he didn’t fail to impress. He dispatched both Ike Villanueva and Harry Hunsucker in violent fashion in the first round and looked back to his best following the serious knee injury that kept him out of action for three years.
DONE IN ONE! 💥
@tyson_pedro_ wasted no time in getting this one finished! 💣
#UFC278 https://t.co/v0VcDVTLwa
Sure, Pedro’s overall UFC record isn’t that great, as he’s 5-3 overall, but it could be argued that he was pushed a little too hard initially and ended up fighting opponents who were too experienced for him to handle.
However, over four years down the line from his loss to Shogun Rua, the Australian looks primed for another run at the top. A win this weekend over Bukauskas, particularly via stoppage, could be the beginning of that.
Overall, Pedro is an explosive fighter with major skills in all areas, and if he produces his best, he’s likely to be in line for a post-event bonus. That makes him worth keeping a close eye on.
#1. Jack Della Maddalena – UFC welterweight
Outside of the four fighters competing in UFC 284’s title bouts, the fighter most worth keeping an eye on is Australian welterweight prospect Jack Della Maddalena.
Maddalena has only been with the promotion since the start of 2022, but he’s already reeled off three wins, all via KO or TKO. More to the point, each of his wins has come against a progressively tougher opponent, a trend that will continue this weekend.
Jack Della Maddalena looking as good as ever as he goes 3 for 3 inside the Octagon! #UFCVegas65SEE YOU IN PERTH, JDM. 😮💨
🇦🇺 Jack Della Maddalena looking as good as ever as he goes 3 for 3 inside the Octagon! #UFCVegas65 https://t.co/vBG6FRtmEW
The Australian is set to face Randy Brown, a veteran of 14 bouts in the octagon. ‘Rude Boy’ is currently riding a four-fight win streak and looked better than ever in his win over Francisco Trinaldo last October.
Standing at 6’3” and boasting a long reach of 78”, Brown promises to give Maddalena a truly tricky test. The Australian will need to get inside that reach to beat him, and whether he can do that remains to be seen.
However, it seems unlikely that the UFC will have booked the prospect to lose in his hometown. Given that Brown has been knocked out twice before, Maddalena will be hopeful of repeating that feat.
If he can do that, he’s practically a shoe-in for a bonus award, making him a fighter to watch closely this weekend.