UFC 264: 5 names to look out for

2) Michel Pereira - UFC welterweight

You'd be hard-pressed to find a man more entertaining in the UFC right now than Michel Pereira. 'Demolidor' will always be one to watch when he's in action. His style simply lends itself to that. But alongside his eccentric attack and unique set of strikes is a talented and promising mixed martial artist.

The Brazilian arrived on MMA's biggest stage in style with a memorable knockout victory over Danny Roberts in 2019. Aside from a surprise defeat against Tristan Connelly on his second walk to the octagon, Pereira has been impressive. Despite the fight being recorded as a defeat, Pereira was dominant against veteran Diego Sanchez. It's always difficult to accuse someone of looking for an easy option out but when a fighter asks if they will win if the fight doesn't continue, it's never a good sign.

In his last two fights, Pereira has continued his rise at 170 pounds. A Performance of the Night submission victory over Zelim Imadaev brought him back to the win column, before an impressive performance over KO machine Khaos Williams boosted his stock even more. But his UFC 264 fight will be his toughest test yet.

In Las Vegas this weekend, Pereira will meet Niko 'The Hybrid' Price. The 31-year-old has been inconsistent since his early success in the UFC, but his threat remains clear. Alongside victories over the likes of James Vick, Alan Jouban, Randy Brown and Tim Means, Price has also fallen short against some of the division's top names, including Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal.

If you're looking to place an early bet for Fight of the Night, don't look past this blockbuster welterweight matchup, and don't look past Michel Pereira.

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1) Sean O'Malley - UFC bantamweight

Love him or hate him, no one can deny Sean O'Malley's credentials as a legit prospect in the bantamweight division. Breaking into the UFC after one of the most memorable moments in DWCS history, O’Malley secured two UFC wins before being side-lined by USADA.

A win over Jose Alberto Quinonez, and one of the most rewatchable knockouts in history against Eddie Wineland, moved the 26-year-old to 4-0 in the UFC and brought his name firmly back into the bantamweight conversation.

Leg kicks and a diagnosis of a drop foot at the hands (or feet...) of Chito Vera handed 'Sugar' his first loss. Seven months later, O’Malley re-railed his hype train in about as impressive a fashion as he could have. There aren’t many superlatives that do justice for O’Malley’s performance at UFC 260. Against an undoubtedly tough opponent in Thomas Almeida, he displayed his speed, his power and his special style.

Despite being dominated for the whole fight, Almeida looked set to survive the 15 minutes. O'Malley had something to say about that. The American got his highlight finish in brutal fashion. Having dropped Almeida for a second time, O’Malley was forced to cancel his second attempt at a walk-off and connect with Almeida again, dropping a bomb as he fell onto the stricken Brazilian. It was clear he was as good as out before the right hand connected; there was no doubt after.

O'Malley will be looking for a second consecutive win this weekend when he faces UFC newcomer Kris Moutinho. 'Sugar' had been set to meet a more experienced opponent in Louis Smolka, however, 'Da Last Samurai' was forced to withdraw with a staph infection.

Whoever he's against, O'Malley is always one to watch. Although he's expected to secure the win relatively comfortably, the rising prospect always knows how to put on a show.