From a matchmaking perspective, UFC 303 has been a monumentally challenging fight card for the promotion to piece together. Aside from the headline-making collapse of the fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, the UFC has also had to deal with a carousel of fighters falling out of the original co-main event slot.
Jamahal Hill, Khalil Rountree, and Carlos Ulberg have all been matched (and subsequently pulled out) of the fight which has evolved into Anthony “Lionheart” Smith facing Roman Dolidze. The bout has also been moved down the pecking order and replaced in the co-main event slot by the lightweight clash between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes.
While the high-profile fights at UFC 303 have garnered the majority of the headlines, there are some intriguing matchups on the rest of the card that could have major implications for the fighters involved.
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri
Payton Talbott has been attracting attention during his short stint in the UFC so far. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum, who has drawn comparisons with bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, has proved to be an exciting addition to the 135-pound division.
Talbott is unbeaten and has finished seven of his eight professional bouts inside the distance. He faces a step up in competition this weekend when he squares off against Yanis Ghemmouri.
“The Desert Warrior” was on a long winning streak coming into his UFC debut in Paris last September but had some issues making 135 pounds and had to be hastily switched into a featherweight bout with fellow Frenchman William Gomis. Ghemmouri was stopped in the third round in somewhat controversial circumstances and will be looking to get back in the win column this weekend.
Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili
Two of the most experienced, tenured fighters in the UFC meet on Saturday night in what should be an entertaining featherweight clash. Swanson, 40, will be making his 24th appearance inside the Octagon and Fili, 34, his 22nd.
“Killer” has been fighting in the UFC since 2011 and is coming off a win over Hakeem Dawodu in his last fight. ‘Touchy’ Fili was last in action in February when he was stopped by Dan Ige in the first round of their clash at the Apex in Las Vegas.
Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
Bueno Silva will be looking to rebound from her unsuccessful attempt at winning UFC gold when she takes on Macy Chiasson during the pay-per-view main card this Saturday.
“Sheetara” came up short against Raquel Pennington when they fought for the vacant bantamweight title in January, and a win here over Chiasson in such a high-profile place on the fight card would go some way toward reestablishing her as a serious contender.
