Magomed Ankalaev defeated Alex Pereira at UFC 313, ushering in a new era in the light heavyweight division. However, while Ankalaev sits on the throne, not everyone is ready to acknowledge him as the kingpin of the division. Jiri Prochazka, who suffered back-to-back defeats to Pereira, has wasted no time in focusing on the new champion, calling Ankalaev a “fraud” and challenging the legitimacy of his reign. However, Prochazka may not be the only prominent figure standing in the Russian’s path. Former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has now joined the conversation, establishing a high-stakes rivalry that shapes up Dana White and the UFC’s plans for 2025.

Blachowicz, who is scheduled to face Carlos Ulberg next weekend, has already hinted at a potential fight with Prochazka, calling for a bout to determine the “King of Europe.” The two fighters had previously met at UFC 275, when Prochazka won the 205-pound title with a spectacular fifth-round submission over Glover Teixeira. In the aftermath of that event, Blachowicz and Prochazka had a tense face-to-face interaction, teasing a future showdown. Now, with the light heavyweight landscape witnessing a major shift once again, that long-awaited match could return—this time with even higher stakes and in Europe!

While the rivalry between Prochazka and Ankalaev heats up, Dana White has an opportunity to capitalize on the developing hostility between two of Europe’s most prominent MMA fighters. A Prochazka vs. Blachowicz bout would not only be a huge deal for the light heavyweight division, but it could also serve as the centerpiece for a UFC event in Europe this year. With the UFC’s continuous development into overseas markets, organizing a mega-event with two former champions fighting for continental supremacy would be a huge draw. The plot is self-explanatory: two warriors, both past champions, battling it out for a spot as the challenger for Magomed Ankalaev.

Of course, everything depends on what occurs in the coming months. Jiri Prochazka must be eyeing on reclaiming the title, whereas Blachowicz must first defeat Carlos Ulberg. Meanwhile, despite becoming the champion, Ankalaev continues to be overlooked by fans. If Prochazka and Blachowicz continue to gain traction, White may be forced to bring the UFC back to Europe for an event centered on one of the most anticipated light heavyweight fights in recent memory. But while Dana White must be planning for a UFC event in Europe, Conor McGregor‘s co-owned BKFC is already setting up camp on the continent.

Conor McGregor and the BKFC challenge Dana White’s European ambitions

While Dana White seeks to grow the UFC’s influence in Europe, Conor McGregor-backed BKFC has already made significant progress across the continent. BKFC founder and president David Feldman has long billed the promotion as the fastest-growing combat sports promotion, and recent events back up his claim. With McGregor as a key partner, BKFC has purposefully organized events in England and Italy in order to develop a significant presence in the European and Middle Eastern markets.

That’s not all. Feldman announced earlier this year that the promotion would make its highly awaited debut in Italy on April 26, referring to it as another milestone in the worldwide growth. Conor McGregor, too, has played an important role in encouraging BKFC’s growth, using his tremendous influence to push the organization into the mainstream. He recently took to social media to promote the next Italy event, which features Chris Camozzi vs. Lorenzo Hunt, promising fans “pure unfiltered action.” The Irishman’s participation extends beyond promotion; he actively shapes the brand’s identity and reach.

Unlike the UFC, which has traditionally held few events in Europe, BKFC is aggressively establishing its presence in the continent. The organization’s potential to enter European markets before White’s UFC intentions come to fruition could result in a significant power shift in combat sports. On the other hand, following Ilia Topuria’s historic victory against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, many expected the UFC to capitalize by holding an event in Spain. However, that never happened, and Topuria has now vacated his belt. So, what do you think? Will Dana White capitalize on Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz to hold an event in Europe now? Let us know in the comments.