It’s “International Fight Week,” y’all – meaning the UFC is blessing us with what is usually their best card of the year and hot damn has Dana out done himself this year! I’m not sure this card, top to bottom, can be topped from a ‘potential violence and mayhem’ standpoint.
UFC 226 Main Card
Stipe (c) vs. DC: Of course, the headliner will decide if Stipe Miocic is the G.O.A.T. UFC Heavyweight or if Daniel Cormier has an argument for being the P4P #1 guy in the world. Since 2015, Stipe has finished Mark Hunt, Andrei Arlovksi, Fabricio Werdum, The Reem, JDS then broke the record for most consecutive UFC HW title defenses by decisioning Francis Ngannou, who could have been the stunt double for Thanos. On the flip side, Cormier was a member of the 2008 USA Men’s Olympic Wrestling team before transitioning to MMA. Since, he’s been dominant at heavyweight and light heavyweight with his only loss(es) coming to the ever controversial Jon Jones. This is a legit legacy fight, folks.
Max Holloway (c) vs. Brian Ortega: Guaranteed fireworks once again as Holloway hasn’t lost since 2013, reeling off 12 straight wins including finishes of Cub Swanson, Showtime Pettis and Jose Aldo (twice). But, across the cage, Ortega is a perfect 14-0 and has SIX straight finishes. Ortega is coming off a first round knockout of Frankie Edgar back in March that brought the MMA community to its feet. Both of these guys are young, Max 26/Brian 27, and look better with each appearance in the cage. Six-star potential here.
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis: The Predator vs. The Black Beast. Get your damn popcorn ready.
Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis: I’m not gonna say both these guys need a win because only Showtime NEEDS the win but this is Chiesa’s first fight since the Kevin Lee debacle. Chiesa really wants to come out and put that in the rearview, but Pettis has lost five of his last seven fights (OMG). I’m a fan of both guys, but I’m hoping Showtime fights like his back is against the wall because it kind of is.
Gokhan Saki vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.: Super overlooked firecracker of a bout here. Saki is a multi-world champion kickboxer whose only appearance in the UFC cage ended in a sick, nasty first round knockout victory. But, the dude is bad news bears on his feet and should have plenty of opportunity to show off those skills as Rountree is coming to stand and bang. Rountree’s last two victories in the octagon have come from first round knockouts. My expert fight fan advice for this fight is simple…don’t blink.
John Mosley is the independent wrestling and TV aficionado of the SoBros Network. He graduated from ETSU with a degree in Radio, TV and Film along with a minor in Film Studies. Since graduating he’s done pretty much nothing but watch, film, edit or commentate for local wrestling promotions and is the current color commentator for Resolute Wrestling. #Preds #Titans #DefendOrVacateConor – Follow on Twitter: @SoBroMose
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