The last time the UFC was hosted in Chicago was back in June 2019 for UFC 238, where Henry Cejudo defeated Marlon Moraes.
In this particular event, ‘Triple C’ became a simultaneous two-division champion after claiming the vacant UFC Bantamweight title.
Fast forward to the present, the Middleweight Championship is on the line between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
While that bout will be the main attraction, here are five other fights that are truly unmissable.
Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates
Starting with a Welterweight war between two knockout artists who sit just outside the top 10 in the division.
Neal is coming off a first-round TKO win after stopping Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 308.
‘Handz of Steel’ has earned plenty of credible wins against the likes of Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry and Vicente Luque.
The Texan has a total of 10 knockouts in the 16 triumphs he’s earned in his MMA career.
One of the most noticeable Fighting Nerds mixed martial artists lost their last bout to Ian Machado Garry at UFC Kansas City.
Prates went on an incredible run in 2024 with the UFC, fighting four times and securing four consecutive knockouts.
As it comes as no surprise, ‘The Nightmare’ has 16 KO/TKO victories from 21 wins, just showing how dangerous he is.
It will be a surprise if this battle goes to the ground as Neal tries to pick up from where he left off, while the Brazilian searches for redemption.
Jared Cannonier vs Michael ‘Venom’ Page
A somewhat surprising, but anticipated Middleweight fight when announced, as there is a lot at stake for this one.
Cannonier earned an incredible comeback knockout win in his last bout, defeating Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Vegas 102.
The former title challenger is experienced in this game, facing former 185-pound champions such as Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland.
‘The Killa Gorilla’ doesn’t often go the distance when victorious, earning 11 knockouts and two submissions.
MVP amazed UFC fans when he became the first man to defeat Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia, while making his Middleweight debut.
The London-born fighter is known for his showstopping performances, especially in Bellator, as he’s tied for most knockouts in that MMA promotion.
Thirteen of Page’s 23 victories have ended by KO/TKO, although he has picked up three submission wins.
Cannonier holds the risky job of maintaining his #8 contender’s spot, as MVP tries to snatch exactly that.
King Green vs Diego Ferreria
The featured prelim, which showcases two Lightweight veterans looking to redeem themselves.
Green suffered a horrific loss after receiving a bizarre spinning wheel kick knockout against Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 313.
The Californian has faced so many notable competitors, including Islam Makhachev, Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier.
A threat on both the feet and ground, the former Lightweight contender has secured 11 knockouts and nine submissions.
Ferreira’s two-fight win streak was snapped in his last bout after a decision loss to Grant Dawson at UFC 311.
The Brazilian has faced fellow veterans in the 155-pound division, including a win over former champion Anthony Pettis.
The 40-year-old has earned 12 stoppage victories in 19 professional wins.
This battle can only be deemed as unpredictable, whether it goes to the ground or feet, or whether it goes to the judges’ scorecards or not.
Gerald Meerschaert vs Michal Oleksiejczuk
An exciting 185-pound battle with two men who very rarely go a decision.
Meerschaert stands on a two-fight losing streak after suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Brad Tavares at UFC Vegas 105.
Despite never entering the Middleweight rankings, GM3 has faced contenders such as Kevin Holland, Khamzat Chimaev, and recently Reinier de Ridder.
The Wisconsin mixed martial artist is well-known for choking or tapping his opponents out, holding 29 submission triumphs.
Oleksiejczuk snapped his three-fight losing streak with a first-round TKO victory against Sedriques Dumas at UFC 314.
The Polish fighter has faced tough competition in his UFC career, going up against the likes of Ovince Saint Preux, Caio Borralho and Michel Pereira.
‘Hussar’ loves to stop his enemies by knockout as he claims 15 KO/TKO wins from his 20 successful pro fights.
It seems clear that this battle will either have Meerschaert winning by submission or Oleksiejczuk winning by knockout.
Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev
Once again, there is another thrilling Middleweight fight which takes place in the Early Prelims.
Battle managed to do just enough in his first PPV event, defeating Randy Brown by split decision.
While currently on a five-fight unbeaten streak, ‘The Butcher’ has only lost one UFC bout in his nine fights with the organisation.
With 13 victories, the Charlotte-born fighter has stopped four of his opponents by knockout and six by submission.
Ruziboev made it two wins in a row at UFC Vegas 106 when he went the distance with Dustin Stoltzfus to win by unanimous decision.
Although he is a 185-pound fighter, the Uzbek did have a chance to enter the Welterweight rankings, but lost to Joaquin Buckley, his only UFC loss.
The 31-year-old holds 33 stoppage wins with 13 ending by KO/TKO and 20 by submission.
This fight could give either man an opportunity to engage against a ranked opponent in their next contest.
