5 fighters who could become superstars with a big win at UFC 264

#2 Sean O’Malley – fights Louis Smolka at UFC 264

Sean O'Malley seems to be on the fast track to UFC stardom

Sean O'Malley is one of the most outspoken fighters on the UFC roster right now, and he's also one of the promotion's most talented prospects.

'Sugar' rebounded from his loss to Marlon Vera – his first in MMA – to knock out Thomas Almeida at UFC 260 earlier this year. And while many fans expected him to be matched with a high-level contender in his next fight, he's instead faced with former flyweight Louis Smolka.

On the face of it, this matchmaking makes no sense. O'Malley has already beaten two more highly rated fighters than Smolka in Almeida and Eddie Wineland; Smolka is just 8-7 in the UFC.

However, if the UFC is looking to make O'Malley into a genuine superstar due to the increased exposure that UFC 264 is going to bring, then it makes perfect sense to match him with a beatable opponent.

Therefore, if 'Sugar' can put on an entertaining display while also taking Smolka out with some serious violence – as he did to Wineland and Almeida – then his reputation could soar despite his opponent's lowly ranking.

If anything, this could well be the breakout performance that O'Malley is looking for to shoot into the stratosphere.

Absolute precision from @SugaSeanMMA in RD 1 🤯[ #UFC260 LIVE on #ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/4v1XFz4qub ] pic.twitter.com/BxZb6fcFx1

— UFC (@ufc) March 28, 2021

#3 Niko Price – fights Michel Pereira at UFC 264

Niko Price is one of the most entertaining fighters in UFC history

If there was any justice in the world, Niko Price would already be a UFC superstar. Sure, 'The Hybrid' doesn't win all of his fights inside the octagon, but what he does is provide the fans with fireworks every time he steps in there.

Price's record is ludicrous when it comes to his finishing rate. He's fought on 12 occasions in the UFC, winning six, losing four, and going to a No Contest twice.

That might not sound outstanding, but the fact that he's only gone the distance once is jaw-dropping. Basically, Price is the epitome of a kill-or-be-killed fighter, a man who lives and dies by the sword.

And his finishes aren't run-of-the-mill either, as he's used rare moves like upkicks and D'Arce chokes to take out his opponents. He also finished Randy Brown with hammer fists from the bottom, proving just how unorthodox he is.

Niko Price is one bad dude! 😳 pic.twitter.com/Q9b7YIR8Vw

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 15, 2018

Price is faced with fellow action fighter Michel Pereira at UFC 264, meaning the chances of an exciting fight are even higher than usual.

And if 'The Hybrid' can finish the Brazilian in his trademark wild and entertaining fashion, he could finally ascend to superstardom, something he has deserved for a long time.