There is a mostly unavoidable cycle in sports where the young rookie takes aim at the veterans, garners experience, and hits a peak all before becoming the very same veteran they sought to take out in the early phases of their career.
In fighting, that cycle consumes just about all fighters, with only a few great exceptions getting out on top. For the rest of the pack, the story ends in a not-so-favourable fashion, completing the cycle by becoming the thing they fought to replace.
The battle between the old guard and the new is not fresh to this landscape, however, it is an especially prevalent theme for the UFC in the first quarter of 2024.
Every year matters for the organization, but 2024 is shaping to be particularly important for the promotion’s future. There are many upcoming fights in Q1 between the old and new guard that could result in many “passings of the torch”, shaping the short and long-term for the company.
Old vs. New – A New Guard…
Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski vs Ilia “El Matador” Topuria
The arguable featherweight GOAT in Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski is set to defend his title for the sixth time against rising star Ilia “El Matador” Topuria, a well-rounded 27-year-old…
