Charles Oliveira vs. Myles Jury
UFC on Fox: Dos Anjos vs. Cerrone - December 19th
Dropping down in weight following his first career defeat, Myles Jury will face an incredibly tough first test in the shape of gifted Brazilian grappling ace Charles Oliveira as the two close out the card’s preliminary bouts. Both have plenty to prove with Jury aiming to bounce back from a disappointing performance against the headlining Donald Cerrone, and Oliveira returning after suffering an unfortunate oesophageal tear in his last outing against Max Holloway. The next 9 days will be huge for the talent-rich featherweight division so look for these young contenders to put on a show as they aim to prove their elite credentials and move into title contention.
Pick: Charles Oliveira
Edson Barboza vs. Tony Ferguson
The Ultimate Fighter Finale - December 11th
Fireworks are usually guaranteed whenever elite striker Edson Barboza enters the Octagon, but we might not see any of the Brazilian’s trademark flashy offense if Tony Ferguson gets his own way. A former winner of The Ultimate Fighter himself, Ferguson has been on a tear in the lightweight division as of late and has the chin and the grappling credentials to neutralise Barboza’s primary weapons. A win for either man might not necessarily guarantee an immediate title shot, but it would undoubtedly push the winner towards the top of the crowded lightweight division.
Pick: Tony Ferguson
Sage Northcutt vs. Cody Pfister
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant - December 10th
It took Sage Northcutt just 57 seconds to make an instant impact in his maiden UFC outing. A karate prodigy having trained since infancy, Northcutt has the skills and the look that could make him a star in the same vein as Conor McGregor or even Ronda Rousey. First however he will need to prove that his debut triumph wasn’t a fluke. Cody Pfister might not be knocking on the door of a title shot, let alone the top 15 of the division, but his recent big game experience and grapplings skills should afford Northcutt the perfect opportunity to prove that he really is a legitimate talent worthy of the hype.
Pick: Sage Northcutt
Rose Namajunas vs. Paige VanZant
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant - December 10th
Paige VanZant has the kind of face that you would usually expect to see smeared on a billboard as opposed to inside a cage, and this is part of her unique appeal. The young strawweight is being primed as the organisation’s next mainstream star but first, and very much like Sage, she will need to prove that she boasts legitimate skills as well as a model-esque appearance. Aggressive submission hunter Rose Namajunas should act as the perfect foil to the young star: a darker, rawer version of VanZant seemingly less concerned about PR and marketability and more focused on overcoming the odds and proving herself as a top contender. Both women match up very well against the other so expect a hard and closely fought contest between two of the UFC’s future poster superstars.
Pick: Paige VanZant
Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes
The Ultimate Fighter Finale - December 11th
A colossal, highly anticipated battle between two of the featherweight division’s very best contenders. If Aldo vs. McGregor is the ultimate 145-pound title fight, Edgar vs. Mendes is surely the ultimate number one contendership fight. A former undersized lightweight champion finally competing in the optimum weight class, Frankie Edgar has had his way with anyone not named Jose Aldo since dropping down to 145 pounds in late 2012. Agonisingly unsuccessful with his three shots at the gold so far, Chad Mendes will be hoping for a fourth crack, and another showdown with either Aldo or McGregor, should he succeed in handing his New Jersey-based rival a rare defeat.
At any other point this would be the only talking point of the weekend. An early Christmas present from the world’s leading MMA provider, and the perfect appetiser for what should be one of its greatest night of fights yet.
Pick: Frankie Edgar
What fight are you looking forward to the most? Who do you have picked? Leave your comments and picks in the comments section below!
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