5 potential main events for UFC 300

Over the past five weeks, Dana White and Co. have worked to put together a strong lineup for UFC 300. Eleven fights are official for the landmark event, which is scheduled for April 13 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. A record nine current or former champions are on the card already, with the likes of Zhang Weili, Max Holloway, Jiri Prochazka, Aljamain Sterling, and Charles Oliveira all in action.

But the most important piece of the puzzle is still missing: the main event.

Several fighters have expressed interest in headlining UFC 300 (although several champions, like Jon Jones, are unavailable), and many rumors have floated around on social media. But nothing's locked in yet. Last week, White said on Instagram Live that the promotion was working on a couple of options and promised the main event would be "crazy."

Unlike UFC 100 in 2009 and UFC 200 in 2016, no slam-dunk headliner has emerged ahead of UFC 300. This isn't to say whatever main event the promotion chooses won't be worthy - it's just not that obvious. But we're less than three months away from the event, so the UFC needs to make a move soon.

Let's look at the five best, most realistic, and ultimately most likely options for the UFC 300 main event.

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

By all accounts, Du Plessis-Adesanya is the front-runner to headline the April 13 show. Du Plessis captured the middleweight title earlier in January with a split-decision win over Sean Strickland, and his rivalry with Adesanya is one of the sport's most heated. The fight was supposed to happen last year when Adesanya was champion. But it didn't materialize, and their roles have now reversed. At the UFC 297 postfight press conference, White seemed interested in booking Du Plessis-Adesanya for UFC 300 without actually saying so. This matchup's probability to headline the event will depend on how quickly Du Plessis heals and if the UFC makes the quick turnaround worth his while.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler

A month ago, McGregor ruled himself out of UFC 300 when he announced his long-awaited fight against Chandler would take place during International Fight Week on June 29. But the UFC never confirmed the news, and now McGregor and Chandler are talking about UFC 300 again. This past weekend, they both teased that they were interested in headlining the event in social media posts. McGregor is still the biggest star in the sport even though it's been over two years since he stepped into the Octagon. His comeback bout would give UFC 300 the magnitude some fans believe it's lacking.

Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 3

Pereira, the UFC light heavyweight champion, seemed like a shoo-in for UFC 300 - main event or not - as one of the few uninjured titleholders who needs a fight. But top contender Jamahal Hill is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, and Magomed Ankalaev isn't a very attractive backup plan. If the UFC wants Pereira on the card and a main event that will shock fans, a trilogy bout against Adesanya is the way to go. Though Adesanya lost the middleweight title to Strickland last year and does not deserve a crack at the 205-pound belt, a third meeting with Pereira is highly marketable.

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad

MMA fans would be upset if Edwards' next welterweight title defense against Muhammad headlines UFC 300. It's a solid title fight - but far from a blockbuster. And that's why Edwards-Muhammad is a pretty realistic plan C or D if all else fails. Edwards is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, and Muhammad is the clear-cut No. 1 contender at 170 pounds. It's a credible headliner that would tie the entire event together.

Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3

We've written about a possible McGregor-Diaz trilogy bout enough, so you know the deal by now. It's a timeless matchup that would sell more pay-per-views than any other fight on this list. However, McGregor seems locked in on the Chandler fight, and Diaz isn't even under contract with the UFC. But Diaz has shown interest in returning at UFC 300, and he posted an old photo from his 2016 rematch against McGregor on X as recently as Saturday, indicating that's the fight he wants. Never say never.