In simply the 6th shuttle to the crowd of Singapore within the 30-year historical past of UFC, the promotion items a Saturday Struggle Night time card headlined via a couple of featherweight legends. 

Former 145-pound champion Max Holloway welcomes all-action veteran and two-time former name challenger “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung within the headlining bout emanating from Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang (8 a.m. ET, ESPN+).

As we draw nearer to the fights this weekend, let’s jerk a more in-depth have a look at the largest storylines.

1. It’s excellent to look there’s nonetheless room for a laugh matchmaking

Now not each battle must be for a name and even be a key a part of a fighter’s progress towards one. From time to time, even in the principle match, UFC matchmakers are allowed to have a laugh. Believe that the case on this pairing of longtime (and mythical) divisional opposite numbers who by some means by no means crossed paths ahead of (and seemed delighted at even the theory of going through one some other). Given their reputations as crowd-pleasing warriors, Holloway and Jung will most probably ship upon the battle’s commitment of violent theater, even though the 7-1 favourite Holloway seems to have extra left within the tank, some 5 years more youthful than the 36-year-old Jung. The added proven fact that “The Korean Zombie” has closely teased this might be his depart bout handiest provides to the royalty of the matchup. Making an allowance for Holloway isn’t more likely to land a fourth shot at champion Alexander Volkanovski till a shakeup atop the section takes park, this could also be roguish matchmaking for the “Blessed” veteran to stick related and stay atop the marquee in lieu of sitting inactive. 

2. It’s what we don’t find out about Erin Blanchfield-Taila Santos that makes it sly

Let’s be truthful about one thing: this bout between top-ranked girls’s flyweights is the most productive battle at the card and may just construct the after name challenger at 125 kilos. The battle additionally items a ton of questions for each combatants to respond to. At 24, Blanchfield has taken the UFC via typhoon over the hour two years with dominant victories over the likes of Miranda Maverick and Molly McCann. It was once a February shatter, alternatively, of former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade that modified the dialog as to simply how in a position Blanchfield gave the impression to be for a shot on the name. The distracted factor is, we nonetheless don’t know precisely how stunning Blanchfield is as her one-sided dominance hasn’t proven many holes. And she or he has indisputably but to battle anyone as bodily robust for the burden elegance as Santos. Don’t overlook, it was once simply 14 months in the past that Santos seemed to beat Alexa Grasso to the punch in changing into the primary flyweight to unravel the stunning champion Valentina Shevchenko. The Brazilian was once compelled to accept a split-decision loss and was once denied a right away rematch. She after underwent an in depth and ill-timed layoff that noticed her eject from an early 2023 bout with Blanchfield then her nook was once denied a visa. Was once Santos’ grappling-heavy aim in opposition to Shevchenko the most productive evening of her profession and no longer indicative of who she in fact is or would possibly Blanchfield’s inexperience be in for a impolite awakening in opposition to the submission ultimatum of Santos? The similar odds with Blanchfield put in as a miniature favourite counsel our questions can handiest be spoke back over quarter-hour within the cage. 

3. Giga Chikadze will get a 2nd prospect at making a primary impact

Then making his UFC debut in 2019, the Georgian striker temporarily changed into a presen name contender to look forward to as he recorded seven instantly wins, together with stoppages of veterans Cub Swanson and Edson Barboza. One major match loss to Calvin Kattar then and Chikadze left fanatics questioning what the hype was once all about. Even supposing Chikadze went 5 rounds for the primary future, he misplaced they all on all 3 judges’ scorecards. Accidents after pulled Chikadze from a scheduled go back in opposition to Sodiq Yusuff, which handiest prolonged the layoff that now rests at 19 months as he units to stand Alex Caceres. To the credit score of “Bruce Leroy,” a flashy fighter who has paid his dues at 35 but has quietly received seven of his ultimate 8 fights, this matchup in opposition to Chikadze may just turn out to be the sleeper at the card. Nevertheless it’s inherent that Chikadze, a miniature making a bet favourite, remind us of the way deadly a striker he was once first of all identified to be.