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UFC 284, which is set for February, will see an interim featherweight champion crowned when Yair Rodriguez faces Josh Emmett. But did the promotion have better options for the fight?
While Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett are definitely viable contenders in the UFC’s featherweight division, there may be other fighters who deserved a title shot first.
Sure, there will be few complaints about the Rodriguez vs. Emmett bout, but it’s definitely fair to say that Dana White and company could’ve gone in a different direction.
Here are five fighters who could’ve fought for the UFC interim featherweight title instead of Yair Rodriguez or Josh Emmett.
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#5. Chan Sung Jung – UFC featherweight contender
Okay, so it’s probably fair to suggest that Chan Sung Jung might be coming towards the end of his storied UFC career. ‘The Korean Zombie’ was defeated by Alexander Volkanovski in a featherweight title bout last April and he also turns 36 years old this March.
However, while it might’ve been unfair to have him leapfrog ahead of Josh Emmett, who is ranked one spot above him at No.5 in the division, it might still have made sense for him to fight for the interim title.
That’s because it’s safe to say that every fan of the UFC would’ve lapped up a potential rematch between Jung and Yair Rodriguez, who famously clashed in the headliner of the promotion’s 25th anniversary show in 2018.
That bout, which was won by Rodriguez via knockout with one second to go in the fifth and final round, is usually recognized as one of the best in the promotion’s history.
Given that Jung may have won a decision had he not been knocked out, a rematch, particularly for a title, would’ve been an easy sell.
Why didn’t Dana White and company consider this fight? Likely because it would’ve been hard to justify giving ‘The Korean Zombie’ another title shot after losing his last one. Also, he’s already questioned his own future in the sport.
Still, it definitely would’ve been fun to see him hook it up with ‘El Pantera’ again.
#4. Aljamain Sterling – UFC bantamweight champion
The reason that the UFC has had to create an interim featherweight title is because current champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to move up in weight to challenge lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev in an attempt to become a double champion.
With that in mind, it could’ve been fun for the promotion to offer another titleholder a chance to become a double champion, namely current bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling.
‘Funk Master’ defeated Petr Yan and T.J. Dillashaw in 2022, cementing himself as the world’s best 135lber. While he does have plenty of viable challenges on the horizon, a move to 145 pounds could’ve been intriguing.
Sterling has already discussed the potential of a jump in weight, suggesting that as his body ages and weight cutting becomes harder, a move to 145 pounds is “inevitable.”
More to the point, ‘Funk Master’ has also suggested that his teammate Merab Dvalishvili could be ready for a run at bantamweight gold, and a fight between the two wouldn’t be viable.
Sure, it might’ve seemed unfair had the UFC gone down this route and offered Sterling a shot at interim featherweight gold upon his divisional debut, but it would’ve been fascinating to watch.
#3. Ilia Topuria – UFC featherweight contender
While he’s only ranked at No.9 in the featherweight division, a number of spots below either Josh Emmett or Yair Rodriguez, were the UFC looking to capitalize on a hot fighter, Ilia Topuria could’ve been inserted into any interim title bout.
The Spain-based Georgian fighter picked up his fifth win inside the octagon in December, submitting the previously undefeated Bryce Mitchell to take his own record to 13-0.
Given the fanfare around Mitchell prior to this clash, the fact that Topuria basically whitewashed him was a real eye-opener. With that, it’s hard not to see ‘El Matador’ as a genuine contender for the featherweight title at this stage.
Had the promotion waited a little longer to announce their interim title bout, then, it’s definitely possible that they might’ve looked to strike while the iron was hot and put Topuria in there.
As it is, of course, February might’ve been too early for ‘El Matador’ anyway. The likelihood is that if he does fight for featherweight gold in 2023, it’ll come in the back end of the year, probably after he’s picked up another big win.
#2. Max Holloway – former UFC featherweight champion
Perhaps the most curious thing about the UFC’s decision to make an interim featherweight title bout between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett is the fact that Max Holloway was overlooked.
After all, ‘Blessed’ still sits at the top of the 145-pound rankings, just one spot below current titleholder Alexander Volkanovski. More to the point, the former champion actually defeated Rodriguez pretty handily in late 2021.
Given that the Hawaiian’s only recent losses came to Volkanovski, then, what is the explanation for him being overlooked? While it’s semi-controversial, it’s probably a logical one.
The fact is that Holloway’s three losses to Volkanovski mean that it’d be hard for the UFC to sell a fourth fight between the two, particularly given the third bout wasn’t that close.
That wouldn’t be a problem if Volkanovski were to claim the lightweight title and move to 155 pounds on a permanent basis, but despite the Australian’s skills, he will still go into his fight with Islam Makhachev as the underdog.
If he loses and returns to featherweight, then, it’d be better for the promotion to have Rodriguez or Emmett, rather than Holloway, waiting for him.
However, going purely on sporting merit, it seems a little unfair not to have ‘Blessed’ involved in any title fight. The chances are that if Volkanovski remains at 155 pounds, Holloway will reclaim the title he lost in 2019 anyway.
#1. Arnold Allen – UFC featherweight contender
Outside of Max Holloway, the fighter who perhaps has the biggest axe to grind with the UFC when it comes to their choice of an interim featherweight title bout is Arnold Allen.
‘Almighty’ is still unbeaten in the octagon and he’s currently riding one of the longest winning streaks in the promotion. He’s put together 10 victories in a row, dating back to his debut way back in June 2015.
More importantly, the native of the UK is ranked one spot above Emmett at No.4, and it’s arguable that his wins over Dan Hooker, Sodiq Yusuff and Calvin Kattar stand up against the best wins Rodriguez has produced, too.
So why was Allen overlooked? The promotion’s decision can probably be put down to two factors. Firstly, ‘Almighty’ isn’t really a trash-talker and wouldn’t use the microphone to sell the fight. Secondly, his last win over Kattar came due to an injury.
However, given that neither Rodriguez nor Emmett are known for their trash talk, and Rodriguez’s latest win also came due to an injury, this oversight seems hard to understand.
Essentially, it looks like Allen will have to win at least one more to fight for the featherweight title. There’s definitely an argument for that decision being hugely unfair.
