By the time Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero step into the Octagon late next Saturday night to compete for Whittaker's middleweight championship, there might be as many as five more title challengers newly waiting in the wings. UFC 225 at the United Center in Chicago is so deep that nearly half of its undercard bouts could propel the winner directly into a fight for some division's belt.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington
Welterweight
The co-main event is for an interim welterweight belt, but even if it weren't, this clash between RDA -- No. 4 in the ESPN 170-pound rankings -- and No. 7 Covington would be almost certain to produce Tyron Woodley's next challenger. No. 2 Stephen Thompson lost last weekend and third-ranked Rory MacDonald fights outside the UFC.
Megan Anderson vs. Holly Holm
Women's featherweight
The UFC.com roster for the women's featherweight division lists only four fighters: champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino, two women she's defeated within the past 10 months (Tonya Evinger and Yana Kunitskaya) and Anderson. A victory over Holm would earn the Aussie the next go at the belt. Who else?
Curtis Blaydes vs. Alistair Overeem
Heavyweight
Blaydes is from Chicago and in high school was an undefeated Illinois state wrestling champion. If hometown backing boosts the No. 9-ranked heavyweight past No. 3 Overeem, that probably would mean a title shot for the 27-year-old, already unbeaten in his past five fights. The No. 2-ranked heavyweight, Francis Ngannou, is coming off a loss to current champion Stipe Miocic.
Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha
Women's strawweight
Esparza, who back in 2014 became the UFC's first strawweight champion (by defeating current titleholder Rose Namajunas), has worked her way back into contention. She's ranked No. 7, while Gadelha is No. 4. Both are behind Jessica Andrade, who has the inside track for the next shot at "Thug Rose." But the winner of next Saturday's fight will be in position to sit and wait her turn.
Sergio Pettis vs. Joseph Benavidez
Flyweight
Benavidez is ranked No. 2 at flyweight and, as the winner of six fights in a row, should be angling toward a shot at the title. Problem is, he's already fought champion Demetrious Johnson twice and lost both times, the second by first-round KO. That opens up an opportunity for No. 7 Pettis. Adding a victory over Benavidez to his résumé would lift the 24-year-old into position to challenge "Mighty Mouse," especially since nearly all those ranked ahead of him have already lost to the champ.