5 fighters who could become title contenders with big wins at UFC 267

UFC 267 goes down this weekend in Abu Dhabi. The event is undoubtedly one of the most loaded of 2021, with two title fights at the top of the card.

While the main focus will be on the two championship contests, UFC 267 also features a number of high-level up-and-comers who are looking to force their way into title contention.

So with plenty on the line in the Middle East this weekend, UFC 267 is basically a must-see show for all fans of MMA.

With that in mind, here are five fighters who could become title contenders with a win at UFC 267.

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#5. Magomed Ankalaev – UFC light heavyweight contender

Magomed Ankalaev has all that it takes to become a UFC title contender at 205lbs

The UFC light heavyweight division is arguably in a better place right now than it’s been in some time, with Jon Jones no longer holding the title and ruling the weight class with an iron fist.

More importantly, for the first time in what feels like a while, the UFC has some genuinely top-class prospects at 205 pounds. One such prospect could become a title contender with a win at UFC 267. Magomed Ankalaev has been with the UFC now for the best part of four years. His current win streak of six fights is amongst the best that the promotion has to offer.

A native of Dagestan, the same region of Russia that produced former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ankalaev appears to have all that it takes to become not just a contender, but a champion inside the octagon.

We’ve seen him demonstrate a powerful grappling game based around his high-class wrestling and strong takedowns. However, his striking looks equally dangerous, as he showed in his brutal knockouts of Dalcha Lungiambula and Ion Cutelaba.

Right now, Ankalaev is ranked at No.7 in the UFC light heavyweight division, but at UFC 267, he’ll have a chance to jump up the ladder again.

Volkan Oezdemir might be ranked one spot below him, but the Swiss fighter is almost certainly Ankalaev’s toughest test to date. ‘No Time’ might’ve been out of action for over a year, but he’s still a former title challenger who has knockout power and is remarkably tough.

If Ankalaev can defeat him, then he’d almost certainly be propelled into title contention and could even secure a shot at gold in 2022.

#4. Alexander Volkov – UFC heavyweight contender

Alexander Volkov could be a future challenger for UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou

Had things gone slightly differently, then Alexander Volkov would already be a bonafide title contender in the UFC heavyweight division. He may well have already fought for the interim title earlier this year, in fact.

‘Drago’ last fought in June, when he fell to defeat at the hands of Ciryl Gane, who of course went onto defeat Derrick Lewis to claim the interim gold. However, his fight with Volkov wasn’t a whitewash by any means. ‘Bon Gamin’ definitely did enough to take a decision, but it’s probably fair to say that Volkov hung in with him more impressively than most of his other opponents.

Prior to his loss to Gane, Volkov was on a two-fight win streak, having dealt with Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem in violent fashion to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Curtis Blaydes in 2020.

So, could ‘Drago’ find himself back in title contention if he defeats Marcin Tybura this weekend? It’s definitely possible.

A lot depends on what happens when Gane fights Francis Ngannou to unify the two UFC heavyweight titles in January. Should Gane win, it’d be hard to justify giving ‘Drago’ another shot at him.

However, if Ngannou knocks Gane out, then his next challenger would be very much up-in-the-air, especially when you consider he’s already beaten the likes of Stipe Miocic, Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

That means that if Volkov can get back on the winning track by stopping Tybura violently at UFC 267, then he could well put himself in line for a potential shot at Ngannou in 2022.

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#3. Dan Hooker – UFC lightweight contender

Dan Hooker has a tricky task ahead of him against Islam Makhachev at UFC 267

New Zealand-based lightweight Dan Hooker has arguably the toughest assignment of any fighter competing at UFC 267 this weekend.

He’s set to face Islam Makhachev, a fighter widely considered the 'new Khabib'. What’s more, ‘The Hangman’ has taken the fight on just four weeks’ notice, which makes him certifiably crazy in the eyes of many UFC fans.

Despite this fight being a massive risk for Hooker, it also represents a massive opportunity. The No.6-ranked contender has been on the verge of title contention before, most notably following a win over Paul Felder in 2020. However, he's always fallen at the final hurdle.

Most recently, Hooker was defeated by Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, both of whom are currently in the title picture. Chandler fought for the title earlier this year, while Poirier will do so in December.

If ‘The Hangman’ can somehow overcome Makhachev, though, he’d be almost instantly elevated onto a different level entirely. After all, it’s one thing to beat a tough fighter like Felder, but another entirely to knock off the 'new Khabib'.

Naturally, the fight won’t be easy for Hooker. Makhachev’s takedowns are seemingly impossible to stop and he’s also a physical beast on the feet. However, if he does pull it off, it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see him fight for the UFC lightweight title in the near future.

#2. Islam Makhachev – UFC lightweight contender

Islam Makhachev can cement himself as a title contender with a win at UFC 267

There’s probably an argument to suggest that Islam Makhachev is already deep in the title picture in the UFC lightweight division right now.

The Dagestani is ranked at No.5 in the division, is riding a lengthy eight-fight win streak and already has a reputation as the heir to the throne of his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, it’s not really a stretch to suggest that Makhachev still has a little to prove before he really becomes a genuine contender for the UFC lightweight title.

His win streak has been impressive, but he hasn’t really defeated a true elite-level opponent just yet. There are also still a number of fighters, like Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler, ahead of him in the queue.

That could all change if Makhachev can win impressively this weekend. He’s finished his last two opponents, Drew Dober and Thiago Moises, via submission, but neither man could be considered as tough as Dan Hooker, who he’s set to face at UFC 267.

If Makhachev can get Hooker out of the octagon before the final buzzer, something only managed by Michael Chandler and Edson Barboza in the UFC, then any questions over whether he’s for real would be completely answered.

If that’s the case, then the Dagestani would have to be considered a very genuine threat to the UFC lightweight champion in 2022.

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#1. Khamzat Chimaev – UFC welterweight contender

Khamzat Chimaev can leap right back into title contention with a win at UFC 267

Outside of the fighters competing for UFC gold this weekend, the fighter with the most pressure on his shoulders at UFC 267 is probably Khamzat Chimaev.

‘Borz’ made his UFC debut in 2020. Following three quickfire and impressive wins in a row, he essentially became the hottest prospect in the promotion, bar none.

A mooted fight with Leon Edwards in late 2020 could’ve moved him into title contention back then. However, a nasty case of COVID-19 knocked him out of the clash and forced him onto the shelf for over a year in the process.

This weekend, though, Chimaev is set to return to the UFC. Faced with Li Jingliang, ‘Borz’ not only has a chance to return to the octagon with a bang, but he’s also got a chance to knock off his first ranked opponent, too. If the Chechan-born Swede can do that, then he’ll almost certainly find himself ranked in the top 10 next week.

More to the point, given that UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman has been knocking off contenders in quick succession, there’s a chance that Chimaev could even find himself in line for a title shot after just one more win.

'The Leech' certainly won’t be an easy out for him. Jingliang is an excellent grappler, with heavy hands too. He knocked off Santiago Ponzinibbio in his last fight. However, based on what Chimaev has done before, who could doubt him?