© Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated / Getty Welterweight contenders Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson and Geoff Neal will meet Saturday in the UFC Fight Night headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Here are three key storylines heading into the event.
Is Thompson destined to become a gatekeeper?
Thompson needs to beat Neal if he still wants to be recognized as a top contender in the welterweight division.
Even at 37 years old, you could argue Thompson is still in his prime. The former title challenger hasn't taken much damage and is coming off a solid win over up-and-comer Vicente Luque.
But age eventually catches up to everyone, even if your nickname is "Wonderboy." Thompson could very well be approaching his final run in the sport. And another setback Saturday - which would move him to 1-3 in his past four bouts - would give him slim odds for another UFC title shot.
However, it's far from a guarantee that Thompson will actually become a gatekeeper.
This is by far the biggest test of Neal's career. Neal is 5-0 in the UFC and widely considered one of the promotion's most underrated fighters. But his three biggest wins to date came against Niko Price, Belal Muhammad, and Mike Perry, so Thompson is a massive step up in competition.
It's possible that Neal will rise to the occasion and stamp himself as the next big thing at 170 pounds, but it's just as possible that Thompson, after more than a year on the sidelines, will remind everyone that he still has what it takes to be a contender.
Does Aldo have anything left?
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Saturday's co-main event will be a good indication of just how much Jose Aldo has left in the tank. The former featherweight champion is set to take on rising contender Marlon "Chito" Vera in a bantamweight tilt.
This will be Aldo's first fight since a vacant title bout against Petr Yan, who brutalized him in the fifth round at UFC 251 in July. Aldo, widely regarded as one of the best fighters of all time, has lost three straight bouts against elite competition.
If Aldo beats the No. 15-ranked Vera, who's considered a step down from his recent opponents, the Brazilian will prove he can still be a factor at 135 pounds.
But if Aldo falls short yet again, then it might be time for the legendary former champ to hang up his gloves.
Will Font finally become a top contender?
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Rob Font has an opportunity to finally break through into the bantamweight elite.
Font has long been considered a rising contender at 135 pounds. Losses in key matchups against Raphael Assuncao, John Lineker, and Pedro Munhoz have hindered the 33-year-old from stepping into the top five, but a victory over the No. 3-ranked Marlon Moraes would allow him to do just that.
He's only competed twice in the past two years due to injuries and opponent withdrawals, so he doesn't have a ton of momentum. But the Massachusetts native will get it all back if he extends his winning streak to three on Saturday.
By defeating Sergio Pettis, Ricky Simon, and Thomas Almeida, among others, Font has proved he's a standout in the division and is worthy of his No. 11 ranking. But if he takes out one of the top names in the sport in Moraes, Font will be on the shortlist of top contenders - alongside Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen - and potentially find himself one win away from a title shot.
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