8. Movement across various divisional standings
The UFC 290 card will feature fights from all divisions with the exception of four (women's flyweight, women's bantamweight, women's featherweight, and heavyweight). By the time the rankings are updated on Monday, there could be new entrants and major shifts across the various divisions. Plus, there are two championships on the line and that could even change things right at the very top of those divisions.
7. The rise of another African King?
2021 was the year that the African takeover swept through the UFC and Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou led the charge as 'The Three African Kings'. Two years later, Adesanya remains the only one still holding gold. Though the African continent has a few fighters on the UFC roster, there's been the question of who the next big star would be. It seems like it could be South Africa's Dricus du Plessis. Currently ranked no. 5 in the middleweight division, du Plessis will be going up against former champion, Robert Whittaker in what could be his toughest test to date. This fight could push 'Stillknocks' right into a top position and prime him to becoming the next big African sensation.