- George Chung
- Jul 3, 2024
- 4 min read
After a frenetic June with UFC fights every Saturday, July 2024 brings a slightly slower pace but promises high-quality action with several must-watch matchups at the UFC. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the most exciting fights this month.
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs Cortez — Saturday, July 13 (Denver, CO)
Viviane Araujo vs Jasmine Jasudavicius
Ranked flyweights clash as Brazilian veteran Viviane Araujo faces Canada’s rising star Jasmine Jasudavicius. Araujo has become a gatekeeper in the division, a tough test for anyone looking to ascend the rankings. Jasudavicius, fresh off a third-round stoppage win over Priscila Cachoeira, is eager to break into the top 15. This bout is a classic "Are they ready?" test for Jasudavicius, who has only lost to top contenders Natalia Silva and Tracy Cortez.
Julian Erosa vs Christian Rodriguez
Count this among the potential gems of the month. Julian Erosa, known for his entertaining, aggressive style, takes on the well-rounded Christian Rodriguez. Erosa's recent first-round submission win over Ricardo Ramos highlights his unpredictability and danger. Rodriguez, moving up to featherweight after consecutive weight misses, is on a three-fight winning streak, including a split decision win over Isaac Dulgarian. Expect high-paced action and potential fireworks in this matchup.
Rose Namajunas vs Tracy Cortez
Rose Namajunas headlines her hometown card against streaking late replacement Tracy Cortez. Namajunas, the former strawweight champ, seeks to solidify her status as a contender in the flyweight division after a unanimous decision win over Amanda Ribas. Cortez, replacing Maycee Barber, is on an 11-fight winning streak and looks to seize the biggest opportunity of her career. This bout will determine if "Thug Rose" is a title contender or if Cortez will launch herself into the championship conversation.
Predict Your Winner for the Main Event
Rose Namajunas
Tracy Cortez
UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs Jandiroba — Saturday, July 20 (Las Vegas, NV)
Cody Durden vs Bruno Silva
An intriguing flyweight bout hits the UFC APEX as Cody Durden welcomes Bruno Silva back to action after more than a year. Durden, a no-nonsense grinder, aims to rebound from his recent loss to Tagir Ulanbekov. Silva, on a three-fight winning streak with Performance of the Night bonuses in each, brings a blend of strong grappling and striking. This bout pits Durden’s wrestling against Silva’s knockout power and submission skills, making for an interesting stylistic clash.
Amanda Lemos vs Virna Jandiroba
Brazilian contenders Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba headline the event in a strawweight bout. Lemos, recovering from a failed title bid against Zhang Weili, secured a unanimous decision win over Mackenzie Dern. Jandiroba, on a three-fight winning streak, most recently halted Loopy Godinez’s rise. This striker vs. grappler matchup will hinge on whether Lemos can keep the fight standing or if Jandiroba can take it to the ground. Their conditioning will also be crucial if the fight goes into the championship rounds.
Predict your Winner?
Amanda Lemos
Virna Jandiroba
UFC 304 — Saturday, July 27 (Manchester, England)
Muhammad Mokaev vs Manel Kape
Flyweights Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape meet in what could be a title eliminator. Mokaev, now 6-0 in the UFC, continues to show growth and promise as a future contender. Kape, on a four-fight winning streak, has struggled with consistency and weight issues but remains a top talent. With no clear No. 1 contender in the division, a dominant performance could position either fighter for a title shot against champion Alexandre Pantoja later this year.
Arnold Allen vs Giga Chikadze
Featherweights Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze aim to reestablish themselves among the elite. Allen, who won his first 10 UFC bouts, looks to bounce back from two consecutive losses. Chikadze, returning from an injury, aims to build momentum after a win over Alex Caceres. Both fighters need a win to maintain their top 10 rankings in a competitive division, making this a crucial bout for their careers.
Bobby Green vs Paddy Pimblett
Fan-favorite Paddy Pimblett faces veteran Bobby Green in a lightweight bout that promises entertainment. Pimblett, a perfect 5-0 in the UFC, faces his toughest test yet against the experienced and unpredictable Green. Known for his trash talk and animated fighting style, Green aims to spoil Pimblett’s streak on home soil. This fight could either elevate Pimblett’s status or reaffirm Green’s place as a gatekeeper in the division.
Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes
Interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall defends his title against Curtis Blaydes, the only man to defeat him in the UFC. Aspinall claimed the interim belt by stopping Sergei Pavlovich in just over a minute. Blaydes rebounded from a loss to Pavlovich by knocking out Jailton Almeida, earning his first shot at UFC gold after eight years. This rematch comes two years after their first bout ended in a knee injury for Aspinall, setting up a high-stakes encounter for both fighters.
Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad
The welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad headlines UFC 304. Edwards, unbeaten in his last 13 fights, solidified his standing with a unanimous decision win over Colby Covington. Muhammad, on a five-fight winning streak, seeks to avenge their previous no contest due to an accidental eye poke. This bout will determine if Edwards retains his title or if Muhammad will dethrone him, closing the month with a thrilling conclusion.
Predict Your Winner..
Leon Edwards
Belal Muhammad
Will the champions retain their belts, or will we see new titleholders emerge? Stay tuned for a thrilling month of UFC action!
