Five eye-catching fights at UFC St Louis

Chase Hooper vs viacheslav Borshchev

Hooper is currently on a two-fight winning streak after his last two victories came in 2023. The Dream had earned an unanimous decision win over Nick Fiore at UFC Vegas 73 before claiming his sixth submission career win at UFC Vegas 82 against Jordan Leavitt.

The Washington mixed martial artist has fought eight times in the UFC, securing five wins and three losses. Hooper has only been stopped once in his career which came against Steve Garcia, suffering a first-round TKO loss at UFC Vegas 63.

The American has had a lot of hype during the UFC as many fight fans believe he could be the next Lightweight contender, but in order to achieve that goal, he must be successful in Missouri.

Borshchev last fought at UFC 295 when he encountered Nazim Sadykhov in a crazy Lightweight battle which would end in a majority draw. Slava Claus did have another fight in 2023 before his UFC PPV debut, defeating Hayisaer Maheshate by second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 73.

The Russian has only had one decision win as the rest of his victories have ended by KO/TKO. Borshchev has also never been stopped in his career despite having three losses with two ending by unanimous decision and one ending by split decision.

The Volgograd-born fighter looks to add more triumphs than losses in the UFC as he is two-a-piece in the organisation, baring in mind that another draw could be possible after his last bout.

Waldo cortes-acosta vs robelis despaigne

Cortes-Acosta fought in the first event of 2024 as he earned a decision win over the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Andrei Arlovski, at UFC Vegas 84. Salsa Boy is currently on a two-fight winning streak after previously earning a knockout win against Lukasz Brzeski at UFC Singapore.

Representing the Dominican Republic, Acortes-Costa prefers a knockout win to end his fights as five of his 11 victories have come by KO/TKO while having one career submission win.

The Barahona-born fighter has boosted his confidence up ever since he has defeated a former champion in the promotion and it could go up more if he becomes the first fighter to defeat Robelis Despaigne in MMA.

Despaigne made his UFC debut two months ago when he earned an 18-second knockout win over Josh Parisian at UFC 299. A terrific way to begin your career in the biggest MMA promotion and the heaviest division.

The Big Boy has been rather common with quick knockouts as before he entered the UFC, Despaigne earned a 12-second KO win at Fury FC 80, a three-second KO win at Fury Challenger Series 7, and a four-second KO win at Fury FC 84.

The Cuban fighter has clearly shown to be an impressive but dangerous opponent in the UFC and with another quick knockout victory at UFC St Louis, it would be no surprise for him to soon enter the Heavyweight rankings.

Alonzo Menifield vs Carlos Ulberg

Menifield had an eventful 2023 when he went the distance with Jimmy Crute at UFC 284, earning a split draw before winning the rematch by second-round submission at UFC 290. Atomic Alonzo would earn one more win at the end of the year against Dustin Jacoby, winning by unanimous decision at UFC 296.

The Dallas-born fighter is currently unbeaten in his last five fights and very rarely goes to the judges scorecards when victorious as 13 of his 15 wins have ended in a stoppage, 10 by KO/TKO and three by submission.

The #11 Light Heavyweight contender will be aiming to maintain his position in the rankings as he looks to take on a tough prospect in the organisation and prevail, which could then set him up a fight with a top 10 contender in the 205-pound division.

Ulberg was an astounding performer to watch last year as he earned a first-round TKO win against Ihor Potieria at UFC Charlotte before varying his style of win with a third-round submission against Da Woon Jung at UFC 293.

The New Zealand mixed martial artist is currently on a five-fight winning streak with three victories ending in the first round by KO/TKO. Ulberg has only lost once in his career which occurred at UFC 259 when he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu.

Black Jag has the biggest opportunity of his life as he could enter the Light Heavyweight rankings and increase his winning streak to six, which would only mean that he would face another top contender to rise further up the rankings.

Joaquin Buckley vs Nursulton ruziboev

Buckley had his greatest performance of his career in his last fight when he defeated Vicente Luque by second-round TKO at UFC Atlantic City. This victory would not only send New Mansa into the Welterweight rankings but boost up to the #11 contender's spot.

The St Louis-born fighter has been on a roll since 2023, currently earning a three-fight winning streak with a second-round TKO win over Andre Fialho at UFC Vegas 73 and an unanimous decision win against Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 80.

Buckley has been desperate to fight in his hometown ever since his last victory he earned six weeks ago, looking to give his home fans an incredible main event and have an excellent outcome to the fight which will be a prestigious memory for the 30-year-old. 

Ruziboev has only had two fights in the UFC, but he has entered the organisation in impressive fashion with two first-round knockout wins at UFC Vegas 76 and UFC Atlantic City, becoming a real problem for the Welterweight division.

The Uzbekistan-born fighter is unbeaten in his last 10 fights, stopping every opponent he has faced. It is very rare to see Black go the distance in his fights as out of 34 wins, he has stopped 32 of those opponents, 12 by KO/TKO and 20 by submission.

The 6'5" mixed martial artist is looking to enter the rankings on his third fight with the UFC as he looks to take on an experienced knockout artist and ruin Buckley's homecoming to Missouri.

Derrick lewis vs Rodrigo Nascimento