At UFC on ESPN 63, two preliminary fighters shone brightly under the lights in what was the promotion’s final event of 2024. Logging one phenomenal first-round knockout each, Sean Woodson and Joel Alvarez made light work of their respective opponents, making solid cases for themselves to share the cage with a ranked combatant in their first UFC bouts next year.
Making A Case for Sean Woodson to Get Ranked Opposition in UFC Next Year
With a towering 6 ‘2 frame, along with a holding a 78 inch reach, Woodson (13-1-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC) stands as easily the most physically imposing threat in the featherweight division. Since suffering a third round submission loss to Julian Erosa back in 2020, the fittingly-named “The Sniper” has gone on an utter warpath, going unbeaten in his next seven fights. Taking out other prospects and veterans alike such as Dennis Buzukja, Charles Jourdain, and Alex Caceres, Woodson has more than earned the chance to vie for a spot in the 145-lb rankings.
After dominantly starching Fernando Padilla last night, the 32-year old loudly called to be added among the top featherweights in the world in his post-fight interview. This demand was met with a shower of applause from the people in attendance, who were still reeling from the insane knockout that they just witnessed.
Whether he gets his wish or not remains to be seen, but with a performance that he put on by delivering the first finish of the night, Woodson is clearly the next in line for a shot at the top 15.
SEAN WOODSON FINISHED PADILLA IN THE FINAL SECONDS OF ROUND ONE 💥#UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/28Hx9WHqBD
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 15, 2024
Sizing Up Joel Alvarez’ Case for a Ranked Fight in UFC Next Year
In a similar position, Joel Alvarez (22-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) is also in the midst of a win streak after rebounding from a defeat, scoring three spectacular stoppages against Marc Diakiese, Elves Brener, and most recently Drakkar Klose following a knockout setback to Arman Tsarukyan in 2022. Boasting the largest finish rate in the UFC without a doubt, the Spaniard has looked mostly unchallenged in his past few appearances, quickly becoming a fan-favorite for his uncanny talent to always get the stoppage.
In fact, the only trouble that Alvarez has come across in the past few years has come outside fighting, as he has had to cancel three different contests since 2023 because of unknown reasons and visa issues.
Fortunately, he was able to get two fights in 2024, and, in each instance, “El Fenomeno” wowed audiences with his entertaining and brutal striking style. Having decimated some notable names outside the lightweight rankings, there hasn’t been a better time for Alvarez to test his abilities against the cream of the crop of the UFC’s most stacked division. Considering the 155-lb upper echelon is made up of other deadly finishers, including a bevy of former world champions, there isn’t any doubt that the Spanish bruiser would fit right in and emerge as a budding contender in 2025.
Joel Alvarez keeps his 100% finish streak 🤯
He gets it done in ONE! #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/keuuXMeYMu
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2024
