Rankings Tracker: UFC 299

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday continues its exciting first-quarter tour by touching down at the Kaseya Center in Miami, host to UFC 299 The packed pay-per-view spectacle will be headlined by a bantamweight rematch between reigning champion Sean O'Malley, who attempts to make the first defense of his title against divisional perennial menace Marlon Vera.

The event also boasts a host of critical bouts across different divisions and promises to be an action-packed affair that wraps a quintet of matchups in the main card that have serious “Fight of the Year” possibilities. Let us look at the skilled athletes who are not only fighting for victory but also a significant climb in the Sherdog.com rankings.

Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera

When O’Malley laid hands on bantamweight gold by vanquishing Aljamain Sterling via technical knockout at UFC 292, his purpose for the upcoming Octagon assignment was unmistakable: Overcome the solitary stain on his career, a defeat to Vera that transpired over three years ago. “Chito” was the first high-profile opponent O’Malley met, and the loss, which he attributes to an honest accident, stirred speculation that “Sugar” is more style than substance. However, that notion has been put to rest, thanks to the five solid wins he has rattled off since that loss, with only one no contest. Meanwhile, Vera has racked up a formidable 5-2 record since that victory over O’Malley, scoring a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz in his last fight, which was also on the card that witnessed the crowning moment for O’Malley. When they lock horns this weekend, “Sugar” has the opportunity to climb up the Sherdog Pound-for-Pound Rankings ladder, where he currently occupies the No. 11 spot. While Vera is currently unranked in that bubble, he holds the No. 9 spot in the Sherdog Divisional Rankings, as O’Malley unquestionably holds sway at the summit. All that is subject to change when the Octagon door closes, and the rivals determine their fate with their fists.

Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit St. Denis

The co-main event of UFC 299 pits a former lightweight interim champ in Poirier against a surging contender in St. Denis. Poirier’s journey in the UFC reflects resilience, as it is marked by triumphs and setbacks. He remains a force in the 155-pound division despite falling short in title bids. On the other side, St. Denis has emerged as a destructive force, finishing his last five fights within two rounds. Facing the biggest challenge of his professional career, St. Denis will aim to make a statement against Poirier, who brings the fight every time he steps foot inside the Octagon. “The Diamond” currently occupies the No. 4 spot in the Sherdog lightweight rankings, while St. Denis remains unranked.

Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena

Just after the opening bout of the main card, the attention shifts to the welterweight division for a pair of explosive matchups. The first pits Burns against surging contender Della Maddalena. Burns, coming off a victory over Jorge Masvidal and a tough loss to Belal Muhammad, is determined to reclaim his momentum. Meanwhile, Della Maddalena, renowned for his crisp boxing and consistent performances, faces the biggest test of his professional career. The matchup pairs a seasoned veteran against a rising star, promising an explosive encounter. While Burns is ranked No. 4 on the welterweight ladder, Della Maddalena secures his spot in the bubble at No. 15.

Petr Yan vs. Yadong Song

The main card begins with a thrilling showdown in the bantamweight division, as a former champion in Yan goes up against Song. Yan enters the Octagon enduring the most difficult phase of his career, having lost three fights in a row. Despite the setbacks, the Russian remains a formidable force in the division and aims to reaffirm his status with a commanding performance. Song boasts a two-fight winning streak and has the opportunity this weekend to further solidify his status as a formidable challenger in the division. Yan and Yadong occupy the No. 6 and No. 10 spots in the Sherdog bantamweight rankings.

Mateusz Gamrot vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Top 15 lightweight contenders square off in this pivotal encounter, as Gamrot shares the stage with a former titleholder in dos Anjos. Gamrot earned a pair of wins in 2023, scoring a narrow victory over Jalin Turner at UFC 285 before collecting a TKO victory due to a knee injury against Rafael Fiziev in September. Meanwhile, dos Anjos returns to the 155-pound weight class, where he holds a 14-8 record overall. Gamrot is No.7 on the lightweight rankings list, while the Brazilian is currently unranked.

Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida

The final fight on the preliminary card features a heavyweight showdown between Blaydes and a surging prospect in Almeida. They were scheduled to face off in November before Blaydes was forced to withdraw. In the meantime, Almeida went on to challenge Derrick Lewis in Rio de Janeiro instead, scoring a dominant unanimous decision victory. In recent times, Blaydes has been deeply committed to title pursuit, while “Malhadinho” has racked up 15 straight victories. Blaydes and Almeida are both ranked on the Sherdog heavyweight rankings list, occupying the No. 5 and No. 8 spots, respectively.

Katlyn Cerminara vs. Maycee Barber

Before the heavyweights swing it out, the women’s flyweight division will witness a pivotal encounter when Cerminara engages in combat against Barber. Cerminara has remained a perennial threat in the division for as long as one can remember, while Barber has been climbing the ranks on the strength of her five-fight winning streak. “Blonde Fighter” is placed at No. 8 on the Sherdog rankings, while Barber finds herself occupying the No. 11 spot.