- O’Malley won the title at UFC 292 in August by knocking out Aljamain Sterling
- Sean Strickland and Alexander Volkanovski are also booked for main events
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The first quarter of 2024 for the UFC coincides with Sean O’Malley’s first bantamweight title defense which will take place in March of next year.
On Monday, five days before UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, UFC president Dana White posted a video on social media announcing three major events for January, February and March.
The three main fights include Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria and O’Malley’s rematch with Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera – all of which are listed in chronological order.
“Go into the new year with some fun fights,” White said. “I’ll see you in New York City.”
Before the year ends, Jiri Pochazka and Alex Pereira will fight for the middleweight title in New York, followed by Colby Covington challenging Leon Edwards for the welterweight gold in Las Vegas.
Sean O’Malley is set to defend his UFC bantamweight title after winning it in August
O’Malley will have his first defense against No. 6 Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, whom he lost to in 2020
Alexander Volkanovski and Sean Strickland will also defend their titles in the first quarter of 2024
O’Malley has an MMA record of 17-1 and first gained recognition on White’s Contender Series in 2017. After eight wins in the UFC, he challenged Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title in August, winning via knockout in the second round.
His only career loss came against Vera in 2020. ‘Suga’ has been keen to avenge that loss ever since and called for a rematch after winning the title.
Vera (21-8-1) has won five of his last seven since his first meeting with O’Malley, solidifying his spot as the No. 1 contender by defeating Pedro Munhoz on the same night O’Malley became champion.
Like O’Malley, Strickland is also making his first title defense against Du Plessis. After a teased fight between Du Plessis and former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya failed to materialize, Strickland stepped up and won the title in one of the sport’s biggest upsets in September.
With Adesanya deciding to take time off from MMA, the 20-2 (6-0 UFC) Du Plessis will get his first title shot against Strickland.
Meanwhile, Volkanovski is coming off a loss after a short-lived bout with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in October. Despite his failed attempt to avenge his first defeat to Makhachev and gain double champion status, Volkanovski has a firm grip on the featherweight title.
After defeating the division’s top three contenders, Volkanovski will defend his title against undefeated No. 5 featherweight Topuria.