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The highly anticipated fight between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards at UFC 269 is now officially off. Masvidal sustained injury whilst training for the fight and Edwards will not seek a new opponent for the card.
Instead, Edwards appears set to finally get his rematch with welterweight champion Kamary Usman. Masvidal is being called out by former teammate Colby Covington.
While this dynamic creates fun fights moving ahead, it does leave a bit of a void on the UFC 269 card. That is not to say the card is weak as it boasts title fights between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena and Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier.
That said, the "people's main event" would likely have been Masvidal and Edwards. With the card still over a month away, however, there is certainly time to insert a short notice fight on the card should the UFC choose.
Here are five possible matchups the UFC could use to replace Leon Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 269:
#5. Kelvin Gastelum vs. Sean Strickland
While these two may not be the most high-profile options to grace the UFC 269 card, they are both game competitors who would put on a show. Strickland in particular has campaigned recently for a fight.
'Tarzan' was scheduled for UFC 268, but his bout with Luke Rockhold fell through when the latter pulled out injured.
Strickland took to social media and explained how that cancelation was a real spanner for him.
While Gastelum isn't seeking a fight, he showed willingness to appear on short notice earlier this year vs. Robert Whittaker. Should the UFC come calling again, he might just accept again.
With Strickland ranked no. 7 and Gastelum rated no. 10 in the middleweight division, this matchup does make sense. It would add real firepower to UFC 269 and provide hard-hitting action prior to the title fights.
#4. Aleksandar Rakic vs. Jan Blachowicz
Aleksandar Rakic has not competed in the UFC since March but has recently called out a number of opponents. Jan Blachowicz recently lost his light heavyweight belt to Glover Teixeira and appears keen to bounce back with a win.
Rakic initially had his sights on Jiri Prochazka but that one appears to no longer be on the cards. He then accepted a challenge from Anthony Smith but Smith was forced to pull out injured. He now seems to be targeting Blachowicz.
Blachowicz is only about a month removed from his title loss. However, he didn't take too much damage vs. Teixeira and has stated he would like a speedy octagon return.
Pitting the #1 ranked Blachowicz against the #3 ranked Rakic would add some real intrigue to the card as the bout would be very important to the light heavyweight division.
#3. Beneil Darisuh vs. Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev, and his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, have been calling for a title shot after his impressive win over Dan Hooker. That currently appears unlikely, so perhaps this fight would interest him instead.
Makhachev took virtually no damage in his Hooker win, so one would imagine he's ready to go. This would also be a huge opportunity for him as he aims to overtake Justin Gaethje as the number one lightweight contender.
Should he defeat the higher-ranked Dariush, he would cement his status as the next man up. Dariush, who hasn't fought since May would also have the opportunity to enter that conversation should he end Makhachev's dominant run.
Makhachev is currently ranked no. 4 and is riding a nine-fight winning streak. Dariush is ranked no. 3 and is on a seven-fight winning streak. This fight would be huge in the lightweight division and give fans an added treat at UFC 269.
#2. Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev
While there are rumors this bout is being lined up for early next year, if both men are keen, why not have it at UFC 269? Burns and Chimaev would be a huge bout with serious title implications.
Khamzat Chimaev has a ton of momentum following his recent UFC 267 victory over Li Jingliang. A win vs. Burns would make Chimaev the next man up to fight the winner of a presumed Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards title fight.
Gilbert Burns recently bounced back from his loss to Usman with a workman-like victory over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264. He needs a big win to re-enter the title picture and this fight would certainly give him that chance.
#1. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Henry Cejudo
While talk of this fight has cooled, it's the biggest pairing that could be added to UFC 269. Adding a third title fight to the card would be a sensational way for the UFC to end their year with fireworks.
Volkanovski last fought in September and expressed his desire for a quick octagon return. With no obvious challengers at the moment, obviously excluding Max Holloway who just fought, Henry Cejudo could be a great fit.
This would be incredibly short notice for a title fight, and both fighters would have to go through rushed training camps to make it happen. However, if the money is right, one would imagine both men could be convinced.
