UFC Preview

We find ourselves on the cusp of the greatest event in the history of MMA. After years of hurdles and prejudice towards a sport that can divide opinion, the UFC finally got Mixed Martial Arts legalised within the state of New York. This then led to the creation of a fight card that over shadows every other fight card before it. UFC 200 was billed as the greatest card in the history of the sport, however it didn’t live up to the hype. The question to ask, will this card fall at the same hurdle. On a night where great fights line the card from the first to the last fight, with a former title holder and several Title challengers on the preliminary card, from up and coming prospects to long time veterans fighting to keep their relevance. There is also the fact that on the main card there are 6 fights, 3 of which could easily be title contender fights and the other 3 are title fights… Lets not forget the main event, which could well be a slice of history in the making, as the biggest draw in MMA history, Conor “The Notorious” McGregor attempts to become the first fighter in UFC history to become champion of 2 weight divisions, simultaneously, are the stars aligned to keep the Irishman’s astronomical rise going or will New York MMA Veteran Eddie Alvarez silence the horde of fans and put McGregor back to his own weight class? Fight Pass Preliminary card: Liz Carmouche (10-5) Vs Katlyn Chookagian (8-0) Betting lines – +150 Vs -170 Thiago Alves (20-9) Vs Jim Miller (27-8) Betting lines – -160 Vs +140 The Run Down: on any other card, both of these fights would claim a spot high on the Prelims, but this isn’t any ordinary card…. we see Veteran of Womens MMA and the first woman to challenge Ronda Rousey within the UFC, Liz Carmouche take on undefeated Katlyn Chookagian.. although Carmouche holds veteran status in this bout, I feel the betting lines don’t lie in this and can see the striking of Chookagian edging her to a decision. Thiago Alves Vs Jim Miller is a cracking bout and it is mad to think it is this low down the card, two long time UFC veterans, Alves posses some of the most crisp Muay Thai technical striking you will see and if he connects Miller could well be having an early nap, on the flip side Miller has a nasty ground game, if he can put Alves on his back, he could well end up submitting him. For me this fight stays standing, is an all out war, and Alves takes a late TKO.. with blood everywhere. Pick of the Bunch: Thiago Alves Vs Jim Miller Preliminary Card: Vincente Luque (10-5-1) Vs Belal Muhammad (10-1) Betting lines – +125 Vs -160 Tim Boetsch (18-10) Vs Rafael Natal (21-6-1) Betting lines – +135 Vs -155 Michael Johnson ( 17-10) Vs Khabib Nurmagomedov (23-0) Betting lines – +240 Vs -280 Frankie Edgar (20-5-1) Vs Jeremy Stephens (25-12) Betting lines – -340 Vs +280 The Run Down: An incredible prelim card from top to bottom, indicated by the fact the Frankie Edgar is on the prelims. kicking off with Belal Muhammad vs Vincente Luque, this will be a great fight, Belal showed incredible heart stepping in to face Alan Jouban in all out war at his UFC debut. Vincente Luque has looked great after an impressive stint on the Ultimate fighter, very close fight both guys coming off KO’s i see it going the distance with Belal taking a Spilt over the blackzillian prospect. Tim Boetsch vs Rafael Natal is another Veteran fight, with two fighters with the ability to end a fight, this fight depends on which version of each fighter turns up to Madison Square Garden. It is a hard one to call, I am leaning towards Boetsch via 2nd round TKO, The Barbarian has shown good wrestling, mix that with decent striking and the fact he is a pure brute of a man. This fight ends in the second, TKO For Boetsch. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Michael Johnson is a fight that is pivotal in the Lightweight division. Nurmagomedov has proven that when he is fit and healthy he is an absolute monster, O and he is a staggering 23-0. Michael Johnson has been a solid contender ever since getting off the ultimate fighter, this battle for a title shot is going to come down to can Michael Johnson use his good footwork and range boxing to keep Nurmagomedov out of grappling range, because if the Dagestan native gets you down you are in for a world of trouble, relentless, brutal trouble. I see this going down the route of Nurmagomedov outgrappling and ragdolling Johnson to take the Decision. The Headliner of the Prelim card is a classic striker vs wrestler bout, as perenial contender and New Jersey Native Frankie Edgar takes on violent striker, Jeremy Stephens, Stephens has always looked scary on the feet and has wins over notable opponents including Dennis Bermudez and Renan Barao. However Edgar has proven people wrong time and time again, i feel his foot work and crisp hands will benefit him in this fight, mixed in with his well-timed wrestling game, he will frustrate the power game of Stephens, however it can’t be overlooked that Edgar has a bad habit of getting hurt and taking damage in his fights, Stephens has a habit of dishing out Pain and damage… Edgar has the tools to take this and looks incredible outside of title bouts, this wont be any different, prediction, Edgar will grind stephens down over 2 and a bit rounds before submitting or TKO in the 3rd round…. Pick of the Bunch: Vincente Luque Vs Belal Muhammad Main Card: Raquel Pennington (7-5) Vs Miesha Tate (18-6) Betting lines – +155 Vs -175 Donald Cerrone (31-7) Vs Kelvin Gastelum (12-2) Betting lines – 155 Vs +135 Yoel Romero (11-1) Vs Chris Weidman (13-1) Betting lines – +145 Vs -165 Joanna Jedrzejczyk (12-2) (C) Vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz