SUMMARY
- Shavkat Rakhmonov is a formidable contender in the Welterweight division With an undefeated record of 17-0-0.
- The Palestinian-American welterweight veteran, Belal Muhammad, holds a record of 23-3-0, with numerous unanimous victories.
While UFC moves up to the next chapter as the year passes by to 2024, things could change for the better future, maybe the fate of the company lies in the better hands of the new contender and there might be new faces in UFC. New champions could emerge and the opportunity could rise for the next worthy contender.
UFC has an arsenal of new prodigies, familiar faces, and veterans who can run the show. Even though many fighters are seeking new opportunities and new challenges to become a champion of their division. Few fighters will be champions in 2024.
5. Shavkat Rakhmonov
The Kazakh fighter has an excellent record of whopping (17-0-0), as he defeated Stephen Thompson in UFC 296. The Nomad has better sets of skills in terms of striking, grappling, and ground game. He could look up to a new challenge as he emerges the opportunity to become a new Welterweight Champion.
Shavkat could go for a challenge as he victimized other fighters. The Nomad has experience in Russian Sambo which elevates the game of the Kazakh fighter. He has a ranking of No. 5 in the Welterweight division. While Leon Edwards could acknowledge him as his new contender for the welterweight championship.
4. Belal Muhammad
The Palestinian-American welterweight veteran could become a threat to Leon Edwards, he holds a record of (23-3-0) with the most unanimous victories. He reached the level of the championship caliber fighter as he defeated Gilbert Burns in UFC 288
Belal also had booked a fight against Leon Edwards in UFC Fight Night, but the result turned out to be a draw as there was no fight due to the poke in the eye of Belal Muhammad. Belal could look for a new fight and could take what he was seeking against Leon Edwards.
3. Magomed Ankalaev
The Russian fighter could become a potential rival against Alex Poatan Pereira. Ankalaev is ranked No. 3 in the (LHW) Light Heavyweight division as he holds a record of (18-1-1). His last fight was against Johnny Walker which there was no contest. He might look up to hold the new mantle to become a new Light Heavyweight Champion.
It might be a different scenario for the Russian Sambo specialist as Alex Pereira is an unstoppable knockout machine. He knocked out the middleweight and former middleweight champion Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. It could be a difficult task for Magomed but not impossible as the Dagestani fighter looks for the upcoming challenge.
2. Charles Oliveira
“The Bronx” Charles Oliveira is a Jiu-Jitsu specialist and a submission artist. The submission machine ranked No. 1 and holds a professional record of (34-9-0). Defeating big names like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Tony Ferguson.
Charles Oliveira could seek his revenge as the current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defeated him in UFC 280. There are few rumors that Charles Oliveira could face his rival Islam Makhachev again with the title at stake.
1. Dricus Du Plessis
The South African submission specialist could become a new middleweight champion. He will fight against Sean Strickland the current middleweight champion. The “Stillknocks” ranked No. 2 and holds a professional record of (20-2-0) defeating Robert Whittaker in his last match in UFC 290.
The protean has created a bad core memory with Sean Strickland as he had a bad experience while Sean hit him with a cheap blow in UFC 296 while they were both witnessing a match as an audience. Dricus Du Plessis could see this as an opportunity to even the odds against Strickland.
These top fighters have the opportunity to become the epitome of champions of their division. in 2024 UFC could become a new crown for these champions. These contenders will prove their worth as they will take on their rivals and take what is rightfully theirs.
