The UFC concluded its 2023 event schedule with UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington, marking a year of remarkable success. The promotion is set to return to action on January 13, 2024, with no event scheduled for this weekend, January 6, 2024. UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2, also known as UFC Vegas 84, will kick off the 2024 event schedule headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev and No. 7-ranked Johnny Walker.
The pair first competed against each other at UFC 294, where Ankalaev hit Walker with an illegal knee in round one. Following an examination, the cageside doctor concluded that Walker was unable to continue, and the fight was controversially rendered a No Contest. The UFC has pitted them against each other once more to settle the business, with the outcome of this fight likely to have title implications.
Next weekend’s co-main event will feature surging flyweight Manel Kape as he tries to avenge his most recent loss against Matheus Nicolau. ‘Starboy’ has amassed a three-fight winning streak since losing to the Brazilian, while Nicolau is coming off a devastating knockout loss against Brandon Royval in his April 2023 outing. Veteran Jim Miller will return to action at UFC Vegas 84, taking on Mexican fighter Gabriel Benitez. Miller has competed in the promotion for over 13 years and, at 40 years old, has won four of his last five fights.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski will also grace the octagon on January 13 to fight Waldo Cortes-Acosta at the event. Other notable fighters such as Ricky Simon, Mario Bautista, Phil Hawes, and Farid Basharat will also compete on the card. A week later, UFC 297 will mark the first pay-per-view event of the year. Middleweight champion Sean Strickland will attempt the first defense of his title against Dricus Du Plessis in the headlining bout. The event will also feature several interesting bouts, including Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev, Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriault, and Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson, taking place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, on January 20, 2024.
