No disrespect intended towards Justin Tafa and Parker Porter, but there’s no wasted space on the main card of UFC 285. Sure, there’s a fighter making his UFC debut on the card, but I’m hard-pressed to think of a more hyped prospect making their debut than Bo Nickal. Not even Alex Pereira – the current middleweight champion – seemed to have as much excitement around him as Nickal has. That’s saying something.
The other two non-title fights on the card have significant meaning in their divisions too. Many believe Shavkat Rakhmonov is a champion in waiting. He has yet to face an opponent as dangerous as Geoff Neal.