Sydney Welcomes Back the UFC – But Which Title Will Be on the Line?
Exciting times are ahead for Australian mixed martial arts fans, as the UFC prepares to return to Sydney for UFC 312 on February 9. While three fights have been announced, none scream “headliner” or even main card right now. With just over two months until fight night, the search for the event’s main attraction is on.
UFC events outside of Las Vegas are often dependent on a title fight as a draw, and this upcoming event in Sydney is no different. Historically, very few PPV events haven’t centered around championship bouts. These exceptions have often boasted the star power of Conor McGregor or been driven by last-minute injury replacements or fighters missing weight.
So which belt will be up for grabs Down Under? Let’s take a look at the possibilities across each weight class.
### Men’s Championship Possibilities
Could Men’s Flyweight Deliver the Spectacle?
While the 125-pound division has witnessed some electrifying matchups lately, it’s highly unlikely that Alexandre Pantoja’s next title defense – against newcomer Kai Asukura at UFC 310 on December 7 – would be quick turnaround to Sydney.
The Men’s Bantamweight Division is Skipped
Newly crowned champion Merab Dvalishvili has just begun his reign after taking the belt from Sean O’Malley in September. He’s already set to defend against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January.
Aussie Fans Wishful Thinking for Featherweight
Ilia Topuria has made it abundantly clear his desire to fight next in Spain, with Australia’s Alex Volkanovski first in line for a rematch. Unfortunately, Volkanovski’s chances of making it to Sydney appear to be fading.
Lightweight Locked Up Elsewhere
Islam Makhachev is already booked to face Arman Tsarukyan in a high-stakes UFC 311 main event showdown in Los Angeles in January.
The Welterweight Title Picture Unfolds
Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry’s title eliminator at UFC 310 will determine the next challenger for welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Muhammad is back in training after a recent injury but is expected to give the winner time to prepare before defending his title later in 2025.
Middleweight: A Glimpse of Hope?
Dricus du Plessis hasn’t publicly shied away from his desire to face Khamzat Chimaev down the line. However, it appears that his next fight will be against Sean Strickland.
Sydney boasts a significant South African presence and Strickland previously upset Israel Adesanya on Aussie soil in 2023. Strickland has publicly stated that he won’t be fighting in Australia again, but a lucrative offer from the UFC could change his mind.
Could Light Heavyweight Step Up?
Alex Pereira continues to step outside the ordinary. The Brazilian superstar is set to face Magomed Ankalaev next, with both coming off recent battles in October. While Kona’s popularity makes him a natural draw, Sydney might be a curveball right now.
Heavyweight Likely Off the Table
Jon Jones’ recent return to the Octagon ended an 18-month layoff with a successful title defense against Stipe Miocic.
Interim champ Tom Aspinall has made it loud and clear that he’s only interested in challenging “Bones” next.
### Women’s Championship Dreams
Women’s Strawweight – The Leading Contender?
Zhang Weili hasn’t fought since defending her title in April.
Meanwhile, undefeated number one contender Tatiana Suarez was last in action in August. She was originally scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba at UFC 310, but Jandiroba withdrew due to an undisclosed health issue.
The UFC could potentially book Weili against Suarez or Jandiroba should she be ready, but it wouldn’t be the blockbuster matchup fans are craving.
Flyweight: A Longshot Possibility?
Valentina Shevchenko last fought at the Sphere in September, and Manon Fiorot appears to be next in line. Fiorot’s last outing was back in March. A Kyrgyzstani fighter facing a Frenchwoman in Sydney makes for an interesting lineup – but is it likely?
Women’s Bantamweight: Time is Ticking
Julianna Pena’s last time in the Octagon was early October on the same card as Kayla Harrison, a likely rematch candidate.
While timelines seem feasible, there hasn’t been much buzz around a potential matchup, and the clock is ticking on making it to Sydney.
Looking Ahead – The Big Question
Will the UFC be able to secure a Kona body temperature championship showdown down Under?
Unless there’s a last-minute surprise, the women’s strawweight title seems to be the most likely option for the Sydney main event, with Dricus du Plessis’s middleweight strap a close second. Only time will tell which championship will have the honor of getting center stage at UFC 312.
– Which UFC champions are likely to headline UFC 312 in Sydney?
## Back to Sydney: Will a Title Fight Headline UFC 312?
**Host**: Welcome back, fight fans! UFC 312 is on its way to Sydney, and the buzz is building. But with just over two months until fight night, one major question remains: Which title will be on the line? Joining us today is MMA insider, Sean O’Malley Jr., to break down the possibilities. Sean, thanks for joining us.
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: Thanks for having me! It’s exciting to see the UFC returning Down Under, and we know Aussie fans are hungry for a big title bout.
**Host**: Let’s dive right in. Looking at the current landscape, are there any obvious candidates for a Sydney showdown?
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: Honestly, it’s a bit of a puzzle this time around. Most champions are already booked or haven’t had their next opponents confirmed.
**Host**: Yeah, it seems like most weight classes are tied up elsewhere.
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: Exactly! You’ve got Pantoja defending against Asukura in December, Dvalishvili facing Nurmagomedov in January, and Topuria aiming for a Spanish showdown. It’s tough to see any of those titles landing in Sydney immediately.
**Host**: What about the Welterweight division? Rakhmonov and Garry are set to determine the next challenger, right?
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: That’s right. The winner gets a shot at Belal Muhammad, but that fight is likely to happen later in 2025. Sydney might be too soon.
**Host**: Let’s talk Middleweight. Du Plessis vs. Strickland seems like the most intriguing option right now?
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: It’s definitely got potential! Strickland pulled off a big upset against Adesanya in Australia before, so there’s history there. Plus, Sydney has a large South African community that could rally behind Du Plessis. It all depends on whether Strickland changes his mind about fighting there again.
**Host**: That’s a great point! Do you think any other divisions could step up to the plate?
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: Well, light heavyweight could be interesting. Pereira is a big name and always brings excitement. A fight with Ankalaev might draw a crowd, but it might not be the most logical choice for Sydney.
**Host**: So, at this point it’s a waiting game. Something could emerge in the coming weeks.
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: Absolutely! The UFC loves a good surprise, and with so much talent across the weight classes, there’s always a chance for a wildcard announcement. Sydney fans should keep their eyes peeled because this card is shaping up to be a good one.
**Host**: We’ll definitely be watching! Thanks for giving us your insights, Sean.
**Sean O’Malley Jr.**: Always a pleasure!
