As part of International Fight Week and UFC 239 weekend, the company will preview some of the big fights already made for the second half of the year at a Friday press conference in Las Vegas, NV.
While the full lineup is set to be announced, UFC president Dana White will be in attendance as will the following fighters:
– UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar who will fight on July 27th at UFC 240
– UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic who will fight on August 17th at UFC 241
– UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier who will fight on September 7th at UFC 242
Holloway vs. Edgar has been attempted twice before, but injuries caused both times to be cancelled. The Cormier-Miocic fight is a rematch from last summer when Cormier knocked Miocic out to become a double champion. This will be Nurmagomedov’s first fight since submitting rival Conor McGregor last October.
You can watch the video below starting around 5:30 PM Eastern/2:30 PM Pacific.
According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway and former UFC lighweight champion Frankie Edgar will do battle at July’s UFC 240 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
This will be the third time Holloway and Edgar have been scheduled for a fight. The first was at UFC 218 in December 2017, but an Edgar injury scrapped that. They were then scheduled for UFC 222 in March 2018, but Holloway had to pull out due to a leg injury.
The 27-year-old Holloway saw his 13-fight win streak snapped at April’s UFC 236 as he moved up in weight to face Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight title. He will be looking for the third defense of his featherweight belt. This will be his sixth straight fight with either an undisputed or interim title involved.
The 37-year-old Edgar has been on the shelf since defeating Cub Swanson by decision in April 2018, his first fight after a first round knockout loss to Brian Ortega. He has fought sparingly in the last few years due to injury but has gone 3-1 since losing a decision to Jose Aldo for the interim featherweight belt at UFC 200 in July 2016.
One wrinkle is that arguably, the top challenger is Alexander Volkanovski who defeated Aldo by decision this past Saturday at UFC 237 for his 17th straight win, seven of those in the Octagon. However, he has fought twice in less than five months and with UFC apparently wanting the division to start moving forward in just a few month and needing a main event for the show, they went back to the Edgar well.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 236: Holloway vs. Poirier 2, emanating from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Octagon returns to Atlanta for the first time since 2016 with two title fights headlining the card, albeit they are for two interim championships.
UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway moves up to 155 pounds in an attempt to become a two-division champion when he takes on Dustin Poirier for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship. Holloway and Poirier fought once before, at UFC 143 in February 2012, a bout won by Poirier. Since then, both have grown as competitors to become two of the best in the world.
In the co-main event, the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship will be on the line as Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya do battle. Gastelum lost his chance to become the UFC Middleweight Champion at UFC 234 in February when champion Robert Whittaker had to pull out on fight day due to emergency surgery. Adesanya ended up headlining that event, scoring a win over Anderson Silva to remain undefeated at 16-0.
Also on the main card is a pair of light heavyweight bouts as Eryk Anders takes on Khalil Rountree, and a rematch between Ovince Saint Preux and Nikita Krylov takes place with Krylov looking to even the score between them.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
> Brandon Davis (9-6, 1-3 UFC) vs. Randy Costa (4-0, 0-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Davis right away with a leg kick but Costa counters with a big right hand that rocks Davis for a moment. They start throwing bombs at each other. Davis with a body kick followed by a knee as they clinch. Costa with a head kick after they break. Davis with a right hand. They both land punches. Costa with the jab and an uppercut to the body but Davis tags him with a right hand. Each man landing punches. Both landing the jab. Costa with a right hand as Davis is against the fence. Costa with a high kick and a knee to the body. They trade leg kicks. Davis with an elbow. They trade at the end. Fun round. 10-9 Costa.
Costa rocks Davis with a right hand and starts throwing punches but Davis gets a clinch. They break and both throwing punches and kicks. Davis lands a combo and a knee and hurts Costa. Costa shoots for a takedown and Davis defends and gets the back and has a rear-naked choke locked in and Costa taps! Nice submission for Davis in a real fun fight.
Official Result- Brandon Davis def. Randy Costa by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:12 of Round 2
Botelho with a leg kick. They trade punches and kicks. Botelho with a spin kick that partially lands. Botelho with a big body kick that hurts Mueller. Botelho gets a takedown and is in the half guard. Botelho gets to the full mount. They get back to their feet and Botelho has the clinch and is landing knees against the fence. 10-9 Botelho.
They trade punches. Botelho with a leg kick. Botelho just misses a spin kick to the body but lands a high kick. They trade punches and then clinch. They battle for underhooks. Mueller with a hard elbow but it allows Botelho to get a takedown into the guard. Mueller able to get to the fence and uses it to get to her feet. They battle for underhooks against the fence. Botelho lands some short knees against the fence. Botelho with a spin kick to the body after they are broken up by the referee. Mueller lands a body kick followed by a right hand. 10-9 Botelho, 20-18 Botelho.
Mueller stalking Botelho and landing some punches as Botelho backs up. Botelho misses a spin kick. They clinch and Mueller has the edge against the fence but Botelho reverses. Not much happens and the referee splits them up. They each land a jab. Botelho shoots for a takedown but Mueller shakes it off. They trade punches and Mueller lands some big punches. Mueller landing big shots and lands a leg kick that trips Botelho up. Mueller goes into the guard and that might have cost her the fight. She could have possibly finished Botelho standing. Mueller gets to the half-guard but Botelho hanging on as the fight ends. 10-9 Mueller, 29-28 Botelho.
Official Result- Poliana Botelho def. Lauren Mueller by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Montel Jackson (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (13-6, 2-3 UFC) Bantamweights
Soukhamthath with a leg kick. Jackson with a left hand. Jackson with a combo. Jackson with some leg kicks. Soukhamthath with a leg kick. Slow pace to this first round. Jackson with a high kick and Soukhamthath throws a leg kick. They trade body kicks with Jackson landing harder. Soukhamthath with a knee to the body. Jackson with a combo and looks for a takedown. Jackson completes the takedown. Soukhamthath uses the cage to get to his feet. Jackson gets another takedown. 10-9 Jackson.
They trade to start the second round. Soukhamthath with a leg kick. Both men being patient. They trade leg kicks. They are trading and Jackson is landing big punches. Soukhamthath is firing back but Jackson really opening up and landing lots of big punches. Big right hand from Jackson and Soukhamthath has one hell of a chin. Jackson gets the clinch. Jackson gets a takedown and is in the full guard of Soukhamthath. Jackson finishes the round on top. 10-9 Jackson, 20-18 Jackson.
Jackson starts landing the jab. Soukhamthath goes for a high kick but gets hit in the groin with a kick and goes down and we have a timeout. Jackson gets Soukhamthath to the ground and is in the full mount. Jackson landing big punches and elbows. Soukhamthath giving up his back and Jackson still landing punches. Soukhamthath recovers half-guard. Jackson looking for the kimura and landing body punches. Jackson gives it up but still landing in the full guard. Soukhamthath goes for an armbar but Jackson easily defends. Jackson with hammerfists at the end. 10-9 Jackson, 30-27 Jackson.
Official Result- Montel Jackson def. Andre Soukhamthath by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
> Curtis Millender (17-4, 3-1 UFC) vs. Belal Muhammad (14-3, 5-3 UFC) Welterweights
Millender just missed a head kick to start the action. Millender with a leg kick and then one high. Muhammad with a right hand and then a left hook. Millender with a leg kick. Millender cuts Muhammad open with a jab. Millender with another jab. Muhammad goes for a single leg but Millender defends. Millender stuns Muhammad with a right hand and then a late body kick. 10-9 Millender.
Muhammad initiates a clinch against the fence right at the start of the second. Muhammad with short knees and some foot stomps. Muhammad working for a takedown but lets go and they break to the center. Millender just misses a flying knee. Millender lands a right hand. Muhammad with a leaping left hook. Muhammad just misses an uppercut. Muhammad shoots in and finishes the takedown. Muhammad with some punches from the top. Muhammad keeping Millender on the bottom. Muhammad in the full guard and landing to the body. Muhammad with two big elbows. 10-9 Muhammad, 19-19.
They trade kicks. Muhammad shoots for a takedown but Millender defends with a knee to the body. Muhammad with a right hand and then a left hook. Muhammad with another right hand. Millender is slowing down. Muhammad shoots deep for a takedown and completes it. Muhammad in the half-guard of Millender. Muhammad with punches from the top. Muhammad gets to the mount. Muhammad with more punches from the top. Muhammad goes to side control and back to mount and reigning down elbows. Millender gives up his back and Muhammad looking for a choke. Muhammad with punches. Big finish by Muhammad. 10-9 Muhammad, 29-28 Muhammad.
Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Curtis Millender by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)
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> Boston Salmon (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Khalid Taha (12-2, 0-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Taha lands a right hand and then drops Salmon with a huge left hand and then finishes him off with punches on the ground. This went less than a minute. Salmon got up and was upset at the stoppage but he was done and was stumbling to his feet. Huge knockout win for Taha.
Official Result- Khalid Taha def. Boston Salmon by TKO (punches) at :25 of Round 1
> Max Griffin (14-6, 2-4 UFC) vs. Zelim Imadaev (8-0, 0-0 UFC) Welterweights
Imadaev with a leg kick but Griffin takes him down and has the back. Imadaev has grabbed the fence three times during the takedown and using to get his feet up. The referee calls a timeout and docks Imadaev a point for the fence grabs. Imadaev lands a knee and Griffin looking for a takedown and gets it. Griffin has the back and working for a choke. Griffin has a neck crank in and is squeezing. He lets go though. Imadaev grabs the cage again. Imadaev keeps grabbing the fence as Griffin is trying to improve his position. They get to their feet. Imadaev lands a spinning elbow and a high kick. Imadaev has the body lock. Griffin lands a knee to the body. 10-8 Griffin.
Imadaev tries a spin kick but Griffin grabs the back mid-spin and gets a takedown. They get to their feet but Griffin still has the back and switches to front control. Imadaev reverses positions. They break and Griffin with a leg kick. Griffin gets a takedown but Imadaev gets back to his feet. Imadaev misses the spinning elbow. Griffin gets another takedown against the fence. They get up and Imadaev with a knee to the body. Imadaev with a right hand. Both men are tired. Imadaev with a body kick. Imadaev lands a spinning fist. 10-9 Imadaev, 19-18 Griffin.
Imadaev with a left hand. Imadaev looks to be the fresher fighter. Griffin with a body kick and Imadaev counters with a leg kick. Imadaev with a left hand followed by an uppercut. Imadaev with a combo. Griffin with a leg kick. Imadaev with a right hand. Imadaev with a combo. They trade punches. Griffin with a right hand and he is tired. Griffin gets a takedown but Imadaev gets up. Griffin lands some knees to the body and Imadaev is hurt. Griffin has the body lock. Griffin with a knee to the body in the clinch. They break and Griffin lands a right hand. They trade late and Imadaev rocks Griffin. This may be a draw. 10-9 Imadaev, 28-28.
Official Result- Max Griffin def. Zelim Imadaev by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
> Wilson Reis (#4, 23-9, 7-5 UFC) vs.Alexandre Pantoja (#5, 20-3, 4-1 UFC) Flyweights
Reis with a leg kick and Pantoja counters with a right hand. Reis lands a right hand and goes for a takedown against the fence. Reis tries for a trip but Pantoja defends. They break. Pantoja then drops Reis with a right hand and starts landing punches on the ground. Pantoja with big punches and the referee stops the fight. Big knockout win by Pantoja.
Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Wilson Reis by TKO (punches) at 2:58 of Round 1
> Jalin Turner (8-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Matt Frevola (6-1-1, 0-1-1 UFC) Lightweights
Frevola gets a takedown and takes the back. Frevola with punches and still has back control. Turner defending. Turner rolls out and they get to their feet. Turner lands a right hand that hurts Frevola. They trade punches and Turner grabs a guillotine as Frevola goes for a takedown. They go to the mat and Frevola has side control. Frevola then locks in a guillotine and rolls to the top. It is in tight but only an arm-in guillotine. Turner gets out and Frevola on top. Turner rolls from under and is on top and lands punches. They scramble to their feet. They trade at the end. 10-9 Turner.
Frevola goes for a takedown but Turner defending it against the fence and he gets free. Frevola shoots again but Turner escapes. Turner with a combo. Frevola with a body kick. He’s landing the lead left hook. Frevola goes for a takedown but Turner has the neck and looks to lock in a guillotine choke. Frevola rolls out and ends on top in Turner’s half-guard. Frevola grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine but Turner pops out. Frevola lands an inadvertent upkick that was illegal. They continue but the round ends. 10-9 Frevola, 19-19.
Frevola with a leg kick and a right hand. Turner lands a combo. They trade punches and Turner lands a big right hand. Turner with a left hand. Frevola shoots and completes the takedown. Turner went for a triangle choke but Frevola escaped. Frevola with body punches from side control. Frevola remains in side control but they scramble up. Turner lands a big knee and Frevola backs up. Turner with a spin kick. Turner couldn’t connect with a flying knee. Frevola with a right hand. Turner with a left to the body. They trade at the end. 10-9 Frevola, 29-28 Frevola.
Official Result- Matt Frevola def. Jalin Turner by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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> Ovince Saint Preux (#12, 23-12, 11-7 UFC) vs. Nikita Krylov (24-6, 6-4 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Krylov with a body kick to start things off. Saint Preux gets a takedown against the fence. Saint Preux trying to pull Krylov to the center but Krylov gets to his feet. Saint Preux gets another brief takedown but they get back to their feet. Saint Preux gets another takedown and is in the guard. Saint Preux gets full mount and lands elbows but Krylov escapes and they get to their feet. Krylov lands some knees. Saint Preux misses a left hand. Krylov gets the clinch against the fence and misses a high kick on the break. 10-9 Saint Preux.
Krylov with a body kick. Krylov with a right hand. Saint Preux goes for a takedown. Krylov gets a takedown and has the back of Saint Preux and is working to set up a choke. He lands punches from the back. Krylov has the rear-naked choke locked in and it’s in deep and Saint Preux taps! Big submission win as Krylov evens the score with Saint Preux.
Official Result- Nikita Krylov def. Ovince Saint Preux by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:30 of Round 2
> Alan Jouban (16-6, 7-4 UFC) vs. Dwight Grant (9-2, 1-1 UFC) Welterweights
Jouban gets a takedown right away but Grant gets right up. Jouban just barely misses a head kick as they break. Grant with a big punch. They are separated and both looking for an opening. Grant with a leg kick and then hurts Jouban with a combo and a big left hook. Jouban ate them good. Grant with a looping left hand. Jouban with a high kick. Grant with an inside leg kick. Grant with a body kick. Jouban looking for a head kick but eats a right hand from Grant. 10-9 Grant.
Grant with a combo on Jouban. Jouban missing on his punches and Grant is missing now as well. Jouban with a leg kick. Grant with a combo and backs away. Grant with a leg kick and they both miss punches. They clinch for a moment but break. The crowd is booing as there hasn’t been a lot of action. Jouban with an inside leg kick. Not a lot to this round. 10-9 Grant, 20-18 Grant.
Jouban with a combo. Grant with a leg kick. Jouban with a leg kick and Grant fires back with a combo. Grant with a high kick. Jouban blocks a high kick from Grant but eats a right hand. Jouban with a leg kick. Pause in the action as a kick hit Grant in the groin. Back to action and both land kicks. Leg kicks from both men. Not an exciting fight at all. Jouban gets a late takedown and has the back as the fight ends. 10-9 Jouban, 29-28 Grant.
Official Result- Dwight Grant def. Alan Jouban by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
> Eryk Anders (11-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Khalil Rountree (7-3 1 NC, 3-3 1 NC UFC) Light Heavyweights
Rountree with a leg kick. Rountree with more leg kicks. Rountree with more fast kicks. Rountree with a left hand. Anders unable to land anything halfway through the round. Rountree with more hard leg kicks to Anders’ lead leg. Anders lands a combo but eats a knee to the body from Rountree. Anders with a left hand. 10-9 Rountree.
Rountree drops Anders with a left hand and Rountree landing kicks to Anders on the ground. Rountree with a hammerfist and lets Anders up. Rountree drops Anders again with a left hook. Rountree with more kicks to a downed Anders. Anders gets up and shoots for a takedown but Rountree defends. Anders with a high kick. Rountree with a left hand. Rountree with a combo and he drops Anders again with a right hand. That is the third knockdown for Rountree this round and he lets Anders up again. Rountree with a body kick. Rountree knocks Anders down again. Rountree lets him up. Rountree with a leg kick. Big round for Rountree. 10-7, 20-16 Rountree.
Anders continues to fight. Rountree lands a combo. Rountree misses an uppercut but lands a left hand. Rountree with an inside leg kick. Rountree with a combo. Anders looks like he’s going for a takedown but Rountree stops it with a right hand. Anders misses a combo. Rountree with a right hook. Rountree with an inside leg kick. Anders lands an uppercut. 10-9 Rountree, 30-25 Rountree.
Official Result- Khalil Rountree def. Eryk Anders by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Adesanya with a leg kick followed by a left hand. Adesanya with a hard body kick. Gastelum with a leg kick. Adesanya with a body kick. Gastelum trips Adesanya up with a left hook. They trade left hands. Adesanya with a high kick. Gastelum lands a left hand. Gastelum lands a lead right hook. 10-9 Gastelum.
Adesanya with a body kick. They trade punches. Gastelum lands a left hand over the top. Gastelum with a left hand and Adesanya counters with a body kick. They trade strikes. Adesanya with a high kick and Gastelum counters with a combo. They trade punches and Adesanya drops Gastelum with a right hand. Gastelum gets back to his feet. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Adesanya with a right hand. Adesanya landing moe punches now and a hard right hand. Adesanya with another right hand. Adesnaya with a spinning elbow that connects and Gastelum is hurt. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Gastelum attempts a takedown but easily defended by Adesanya. 10-9 Adesanya, 19-19.
Adesanya with a leg kick. Gastelum with a left hand to the body. Adesanya with a right hand followed by a head kick. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Gastelum with a leg kick and Adesanya counters with a high kick. Adesanya with a right hand and a knee to the body. Gastelum lands a right hand. Adesanya with a right hand followed by a body kick. Gastelum gets a takedown but Adesanya pushes off and gets to his feet. Adesanya with a high kick. 10-9 Adesanya, 29-28 Adesanya.
Gastelum gets a clinch but lets go. Adesanya with a leg kick. Gastelum with a leg kick. Adesanya with a knee to the body. Adesanya with a hard right hand. Gastelum lands a short left hand. Adesanya with a right hand and then lands a straight right hand followed by a high kick. Gastelum lands a jab. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Gastelum lands a head kick and Adesanya wobbles. Gastelum with a punch and Adesanay is still in trouble. Adesanya with a right hand. Gastelum with a left hand. 10-9 Gastelum, 38-38.
Gastelum with a left hand. Adesanya with a quick combination. Adesanya with a front kick to the face. Adesanya lands a left hand. Adesanya lands a huge right hand. Adesanya gets a standing guillotine but Gastelum spins out and they get to the mat and Adesanya looking for a triangle but Gastelum gets ut and they scramble to their feet. Adesanya with a big combo. Adesanya with a huge right hand. Adesanya with another right hand followed by a leg kick. Adesanya with another huge right hand. Adesanya drops Gastelum with a big combo ending with a right hand. Gastelum gets up and shoots for a takedown. Adesanya with some big elbows. Adesanya landing more big punches and Gastelum in trouble and gets dropped again. Adesany grabs the neck on the ground and then lands punches. They get to their feet and both landing punches and Adesdanya drops him again and they finish on the mat. Absolutely tremendous fight. 10-8 Adesanya, 48-46 Adesanya.
Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46) to win Interim UFC Middleweight Championship
Poirier with a front kick to the body. Poirier with a leg kick. Holloway with a combo. Poirier with a body kick. Poirier with a left hand and then a combo. Holloway clips Poirier with a right hand. Holloway with a combo against the fence. Poirier resets. Poirier with a right hand that hurts Holloway. Poirier landing big punches. Holloway eating them and firing back. Poirier with another big right hand. Poirier with some knees and another huge right hand. They trade punches inside the pocket. Holloway now landing punches as Poirier takes a deep breath. Poirier hurts Holloway again. Poirier with another big combo. Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway with a head kick. 10-9 Poirier.
Holloway with a looping left hand. Holloway lands to the body and then to the head. Poirier with a leg kick. Poirier with a combo. Poirier with an inside elbow. Poirier with a snapping straight left hand. Holloway with a high kick. Poirier attempts for a takedown but Holloway pushes him off. Poirier with the jab. Holloway with a combo ending with a body kick. Holloway with another body kick. Holloway with a right hand. Poirier hurts Holloway with a punch and starts throwing against the fence but Holloway circles away. Poirier rocks Holloway with a right hook. Poirier rocks him again late. 10-9 Poirier, 20-18 Poirier.
Holloway with an inside leg kick. Holloway with a right hand to the body but Poirier lands a counter right hook. They each land left hands. Poirier with a body kick but Holloway counters with a combination. Poirier with a huge combo. Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway with a combo. Poirier with a right hand. Poirier with a straight left hand. Holloway with a right hand. They trade punches inside the pocket. Holloway landing a lot of punches against the fence on Poirier. Holloway with a flying knee to the body. Poirier grabs the body looking to score a takedown. Holloway defending with hard elbows against the fence. 10-9 Holloway, 29-28 Poirier.
Holloway lands a right hand. Poirier tries deep for a takedown and gets it against the fence. Holloway gets up and has Poirier’s neck. Poirier with a knee to the body as they break. Holloway pouring it on with combinations against the fence. Poirier looking tired. Poirier now fires back with punches. Holloway with combos against the fence and landing to the body. Holloway to the body and lands a right hand to the body. Poirier with a right cross. Poirier lands a knee and Holloway has a massive cut on his forehead. Holloway lands a combo and is coming on strong. Poirier tries a takedown but Holloway has the neck. We are going to a final round. 10-9 Holloway, 38-38.
Poirier with a leg kick. Poirier with a left hand. Huge chants for Holloway. They each land right hands. Holloway with a combo. Holloway with a body kick. Poirier with the stiff jab. Holloway with a combo. Poirier with a left hand. Holloway with a combo. Holloway is draining blood. They trade punches. Poirier trying for a late takedown but Holloway defending against the fence. Both men are a mess right now. They break the clinch. They both swing wildly at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Poirier, 48-47 Poirier.
Official Result- Dustin Poirier def. Max Holloway by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Dana White told ESPN on Friday that Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight title will be the main event of UFC 236. The pay-per-view is taking place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, April 13.
Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya facing off for the interim middleweight title is also scheduled for UFC 236.
The Nevada Athletic Commission announced last month that Khabib Nurmagomedov, the current UFC lightweight champion, had been suspended for nine months (retroactive to October 6, 2018) for his role in the brawl that went down after his fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 229. The suspension could have been reduced by three months if Nurmagomedov participated in an anti-bullying PSA.
White told ESPN that Tony Ferguson was offered the interim lightweight title fight against Holloway but turned it down.
Holloway currently holds the UFC featherweight championship, most recently defending the title against Brian Ortega in December.
Poirier last defeated Eddie Alvarez in July 2018. He was scheduled to face Nate Diaz at UFC 230 in November, but the matchup fell through after Poirier suffered an injury.
“A lot of people blamed me for the whole Nate thing, but nobody knows what really happened besides the UFC, their lawyers, Nate’s management and my management,” Poirier said in an interview with ESPN. “Nate was playing games. He pulled out of that fight multiple times. I had an injury and it turned into the perfect time to get it fixed.”
Prior to the announcement of him facing Holloway, Poirier had been expressing dissatisfaction with his situation in the UFC. He tweeted this Wednesday: “These guys should just release me.”
Poirier submitted Holloway in the first round when they fought in 2012.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 231: Holloway vs. Ortega, emanating from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Octagon heads back to Toronto for the first time in two years with two title fights that are among the best match-ups of the year.
UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway walks to the Octagon for the first time in a year to make his second title defense as he takes on the undefeated challenger Brian Ortega. Holloway has amassed an impressive 12-fight win streak and is coming off back-to-back wins over future Hall Of Famer Jose Aldo, while Ortega has won all 15 of his professional fights, and is also coming off a win over a future Hall Of Famer, Frankie Edgar.
In the co-main event, the vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship is up for grabs as Valentina Shevchenko finally gets her shot at that belt as she takes on former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Shevchenko was scheduled to fight for this title in September before former champion Nicco Montano was forced out of their fight on weigh-in day and subsequently stripped of the title. Jedrzejczyk is moving up to 125 pounds for the first time in the UFC as she looks to become the first woman to win UFC gold in two weight classes.
Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Alex Oliveira and Gunnar Nelson, and a light heavyweight bout between Jimi Manuwa and Eryk Anders. There are plenty of prelim fights with intrigue, including Claudia Gadelha and Nina Ansaroff in a women’s strawweight bout, a potential title eliminator in the women’s flyweight division between Katlyn Chookagian and Jessica Eye, and a middleweight bout pitting Elias Theodorou against Eryk Anders.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT
> Devin Clark (9-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Aleksander Rakic (10-1, 2-0 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Clark lands a right hand into a takedown right away. They clinch against the fence and Clark has the body lock. Rakic reverses and they break. Rakic landed a right hand to the body on the break and then a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Rakic with a high kick. Clark then drops Rakic with a right hand. Rakic gets up but is eating knees from Clark. Clark landed a lot of knees but may have tired himself out. Some of those knees were illegal. Rakic reverses position. Rakic now lands a few knees. They break. They trade kicks. Rakic now lands some big punches on Clark and he finishes him off. Big win for Rakic as those were heavy punches he was landing.
Official Result- Aleksander Rakic def. Devin Clark by TKO (punches) at 4:05 of Round 1
> Carlos Diego Ferreira (13-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Kyle Nelson (12-1, 0-0 UFC) Lightweights
Ferreira with a heavy leg kick but Nelson counters with a left. They exchange in close range. Nelson with a left hook. Ferreira with a leg kick. Nelson with a body punch. Ferreira shoots but it is stuffed and Nelson lands some punches. Ferreira shoots again but it is stuffed. Nelson lands some punches and Ferreira takes some time to get to his feet. Ferreira with a couple of body kicks. Nelson lands a straight right hand. They throw big punches in close range and Ferreira gets a takedown. Ferreira working for an arm but Nelson defending. Ferreira lands some punches on top and gets mount late and is landing big punches as Nelson gives up his back. Ferreira with big punches but Nelson survives the round. 10-9 Ferreira.
Ferreira lands some punches to start the second round and gets a takedown. Ferreira with some short elbows. Ferreira gets the mount and is landing punches as Nelson is covering up. Ferreira mixing some elbows in and Nelson is in big trouble. This is finally stopped as Ferreira gets the win after surviving some early trouble.
Official Result- Diego Ferreira def. Kyle Nelson by TKO (strikes) at 1:23 of Round 2
> Chad Laprise (13-3, 6-3 UFC) vs. Dhiego Lima (12-7, 1-5 UFC) Welterweights
Laprise landing some leg kicks early. They trade some punches as Laprise has Lima’s back to the fence. Lima drops Laprise with a left hook and the referee quickly steps in and stops the fight. Wow. The fans aren’t happy but that was a hard punch and Laprise went right down. Big win for Lima.
Official Result- Dhiego Lima def. Chad Laprise by knockout (punch) at 1:37 of Round 1
> Brad Katona (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Matthew Lopez (10-3, 2-3 UFC) Bantamweights
Lopez lands some punches early. Katona with a head kick. They trade and Lopez lands a nice right hand. Katona goes for a takedown but Lopez defends. Katona with a body kick. Lopez with a high kick. Lopez lands a left hand. Katona with a straight right hand followed with a left hook. Lopez counters with a left hand and then an overhand right. Katona lands a right. Lopez lands a combo. They trade punches and Lopez is getting the better of it. Lopez gets a takedown and into the guard. Katona lands a couple elbows from the bottom. 10-9 Lopez.
Lopez lands a left hand and gets a takedown. Katona gets to his feet and lands some short lefts in the clinch before breaking. Katona lands a right hand. Katona with a short uppercut. Lopez with a body kick. Katona with another short uppercut. Lopez with a leg kick. Katona lands a left hand. Lopez gets a takedown and into side control. Katona able to get to his feet. They trade punches. Katona lands a right hand. They trade lefts to end the round. 10-9 Katona, 19-19.
Lopez with a high kick. Katona with a leg kick and a short uppercut. Katona with a short leg kick and they exchange punches in close range. Lopez lands a right hand. Katona with a right hand to the body. Katona lands a right hand. They exchange in close. Lopez looks to shoot but Katona snuffs it out. Katona with a body kick. Katona grabs a single leg but doesn’t get the takedown. He grabs the back and Lopez tries to roll out. Katona had a choke locked in but time ran out. That might have gotten him the fight. 10-9 Katona, 29-28 Katona.
Official Result- Brad Katona def. Matthew Lopez by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28. 29-28)
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> Elias Theodorou (#14, 15-2, 7-2 UFC) vs. Eryk Anders (11-2, 3-2 UFC) Middleweights
Theodorou throwing some kicks and Anders presses him against the fence but they break away. Theodorou with some leg kicks. Theodorou lands a right hand but eats a left from Anders. Anders lands a left as Theodorou comes inside but they break. Theodorou with a body kick. They clinch and Theodorou has the back and lands some knees. They break. Theodorou lands some inside punches and a body kick. Anders has been unable to do much. Theodorou with a leg kick. Anders lands a left hand late. 10-9 Theodorou.
Anders comes out strong and lands a knee in a brief clinch. They clinch and Anders lands a good punch. Theodorou works to the body as Anders is looking for a takedown. They break. Anders lands a left hand and a kick. Anders lands two left hands. Anders with the jab. Anders with a left hand. Anders lands some good punches and rocks Theodorou. Anders with a flurry. Anders with some more left hands. Anders with some big punches and Theodorou is hurt as he stumbles but gets to his feet and circles away. Anders drops him with a left hand and then hits another left. 10-9 Anders, 19-19.
They circle around the first minute of the third with neither able to find an opening to land. Eye poke from Anders and we have a timeout. Back to action and Theodorou lands some kicks. Theodorou with a body kick. Anders with a left hand. Anders with some short punches in a clinch. Theodorou with a leg kick. They trade punches. Anders lands a combo. Theodorou with a body kick. They trade close. Anders lands a left hand late. Close fight. 10-9 Anders, 29-28 Anders.
Official Result- Elias Theodorou def. Eryk Anders by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ryan lost internet connection at the Scotiabank Centre so Paul Fontaine here taking over for the time being.
All three rounds were similar and very close. Eye was moving forward for almost the entire fight. Strike counts were very close with a slight advantage to Eye in each of the first two rounds and Chookagian had a slightly larger advantage in the third. There was one takedown, also in the 3rd, by Chookagian. I scored it 29-28 Eye.
Official result – Jessa Eye (14-6) by split decision (29-28 x 2; 28-29)
Eye requested a title shot in her post-fight interview. She’s won 3 straight since moving to the division and just beat the #3 fighter so probably earned it.
Aubin-Mercier was pushing the pace early. Burns got a takedown but didn’t do any damage and Aubin-Mercier got to his feet without taking a single shot. Burns knocked him down and was all over him with punches and elbows and it was close to being stopped. Aubin-Mercier gave up his back and Burns had a couple submission attempts and did some ground and pound but Aubin-Mercier survived the round. 10-8 Burns
Much closer 2nd round. Strike count with 90 seconds left was 12-10 Burns and Aubin-Mercier may have been slightly more active after that point. But Burns scored a late takedown and obtained side control and that may have stolen a close round but he could’ve already have been winning the round. 10-9 Burns, 20-17 overall
Burns got a takedown 2 minutes in. He did a lot of damage on the ground but Aubin-Mercier managed to get to his feet. Burns took his back standing and dragged him to the canvas. Burns quickly locked on a body lock and was landing a lot of punches while setting up a choke. Aubin-Mercier managed to avoid the choke and somehow escaped to his feet with 20 seconds left. Both guys were landing bombs as the fight ended. 10-9 Burns, 30-26 overall
Offiicial result – Gilbert Burns (15-3) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2; 29-28)
Gadelha came out strong, throwing all kind of punches and Ansaroff was reeling early. Gadelha got a takedown and was landing punches and elbows on the ground while trying to advance position. Gedelha was on her back for a couple minutes but eventually escaped. Ansaroff was doing better on her feet late, landing a nice head kick and really good punch combo. She also defended a couple of takedown attempts. 10-9 Gadelha
Round 3 was mostly Gadelha advancing and eating punches and leg kicks from distance by Ansaroff. Significant strikes count for the fight was 94-38 for Ansaroff. Gadelha defended several takedown atttempts in the 3rd round as well. Gadelha was landing more in the last minute but her face was all bloodied up by the end of the fight. 10-9 Ansaroff, 29-28 overall
Official result – Nina Ansaroff (10-5) by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Crazy first round. Seconds in, Santos dropped Manuwa twice with punches but Manuwa recovered and clinched up. The rest of the round was basically clinch work separated by wild flurries where one or both guys would land and also get hurt. They took turns going to the cage clinch. Santos was also throwing wild kicks, sometimes connecting, sometimes missing badly. He missed a jumping spin kick late in the round and ended up on his back. Manuwa took the back and was working for a sub at the end of the round. 10-9 Santos
This didn’t go long. Santos rocked Manuwa early. Manuwa fought back with punches of his own. Santos backed up Manuwa to the cage and landed an uppercut that almost took Manuwa’s head off and then landed a clean left hook that dropped him instantly.
Official result – Thiago Santos (20-6) by KO (punch) at 41 seconds of round 2
Dawodu was more active on the feet, throwing punches in spurts. Bochniak was mostly throwing a single strike at a time, mixing in leg kicks and punches. Dawodu caused some swelling under Bochniak’s left eye with a nice combo and then Bochniak almost immediately secured a takedown. Dawodu was up right away but Bochniak controlled his back the rest of the round. 10-9 Dawodu
Very boring 2nd round. Bochniak got a takedown but Dawodu was up immediately. Dawodu was probably throwing 4 times as much as Bochniak and even though he was landing at only 31%, he was landing more as well. Bochniak was acting like he may have hurt his left hand as he wasn’t using it much. Bochniak’s corner told him he was down two rounds and I agree. 20-18 Dawodu
Very similar to the 2nd round. Bochniak got a takedown in the middle of the round and did manage to hold Dawodu down for about 30 seconds but did no damage. On the feet, Dawodu was constantly moving forward and landing punches and kicks. He had some particulary nice combos in the last minute and landed a hard body kick late in the round. He had 34 body strikes in total. 10-9 Dawodu, 30-27 overall
Official result – Hakeem Dawodu (9-1-1) by split decision (30-27 x 2; 28-29)
> Alex Oliveira (#13, 20-4-1 2 NC, 9-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Gunnar Nelson (#14, 16-3-1, 7-3 UFC) Welterweights
As Jon Anik put it, a little bit of everything in round 1. Oliveira was landing solidly on the feet early. Nelson managed to get a takedown and quickly took the back. He had a solid body lock on but Oliveira was throwing punches behind his head. Nelson never really got close to a submission. Eventually Oliveira reversed and ended up on top, landing hard shots. He postured up and was landing hammer fists to the head and body. Nelson eventually captured a leg and they were in 50/50 for awhile. Oliveira did manage to escape before the round ended. 10-9 Oliveira
Oliveira was landing more on the feet early and the significant strike count was 28-1 for Oliveira. Then Nelson got a takedown and fairly quickly gained mount. Nelson was just lying there in mount and not doing anything and, twice, the ref warned him to work. Then Nelson just started landing elbows and opened a nasty cut on Oliviera’s face and it started bleeding like a faucet. The ref moved in to look at it but Oliveira was tapping, likely from the blood loss. Nelson did have a choke on at the end, which was the official result.
Official result – Gunnar Nelson (17-3-1) by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:17 of Round 2
Joanna throwing a lot of punches early but missing most of them. Shevchenko got a takedown and moved right into side control. Shevchenko landed elbows and punches to the face but Joanna eventually got to her feet. Shevchenko controlled her in a clinch for most of the rest of the round. 10-9 Shevchenko
Shevchenko controlled Joanna almost the whole round, taking her down a few times and doing damage on the ground when they were there. On the feet, Shevchenko was generally controlling the clinch and dominating her. 10-9 Shevchenko, 20-18
Joanna was much more aggressive in round 3 and managed to stay on her feet the entire round, blocking several takedown attempts. Shevchenko didn’t land a lot but when she did, she landed hard. Joanna likely won the round due to her volume but she took more damage as she was bleeding from her nose as well as a cut on the bridge of her nose. 10-9 Joanna, 29-28 Shevchenko overall
Joanna came out strong in round 4 as well but Shevchenko was able to get a power takedown and move right into side control. Joanna quickly worked her into half guard and didn’t take a lot of damage. Joanna eventually worked to her feet and they spent a long time in the clinch with both landing shots that did damage. After separating, Joanna seemed to be coming on stronger at the end of the round. 10-9 Shevchenko, 39-37 overall
Shevchenko took it to a cage clinch early but did nothing from the clinch. Joanna was landing light punches to the body and head. Ref eventually broke it up. Joanna was more aggressive on the feet. Total strikes landed in the round were exactly 96 each but Shevchenko had the takedowns. Shevchenko did land some nice combos in the last minute but Joanna was very active as well. 10-9 Joanna, 48-47 Shevchenko overall
Offiicial result – Valentina Shevchenko (16-3) by unanimous decision (49-46 x 3)
> Max Holloway (C, 19-3, 15-3 UFC) vs. Brian Ortega (#1, 14-0 1 NC, 6-0 1 NC UFC) UFC Featherweight Championship
Holloway set a furious pace early, landing punches from all sorts of angles. Ortega was landing hard and did open a cut under Holloway’s left eye, but not often. Ortega got a takedown in the middle of the round but did no damage and Holloway was up quickly. Holloway was taunting him any time he landed anything and Ortega seemed to be slowing down at the end of the round. Crowd was really loud with chants for Holloway throughout. 10-9 Holloway
Holloway came out strong and actually picked up the pace from the first round. Early on, Holloway opened up cuts on the face of Ortega and somewhere must have broken his nose because it was bleeding heavily and he was having trouble breathing. But as he should’ve been getting more tired, Ortega actually picked up his output. He was still getting beaten, as signfiicant strike count at one point was 94-31, but he was getting his shots in. Holloway was landing hard jabs throughout, which was his best weapon. 10-9 Holloway, 20-18
Ortega came out firing and hurt Holloway with a punch combo. He followed up with another and Holloway was on wobbly legs. Ortega briefly took him down but Holloway managed to get up quickly. Holloway looked confused for a little while and was eating more shots. Significant strike count midway through the round was 15-12 for Ortega. Holloway was cut several times on his face but started coming on in the last minute but Ortega was giving it back just as well. Duelling chants for both guys throughout the round. 10-9 Ortega, 29-28 Holloway overall
Holloway told Joe Rogan on his way out for the 4th that he was going to finish him in this round and came out like he was going to do it. Holloway was relentless, with a constant barrage of punches elbows and kicks throughout the round. Ortega stayed on his feet almost the entire time, except for when he’d go to the ground voluntarily but he never stopped taking shots. His face was a bloody mess by the end of the round and he had swelling under his left eye at the end of the round. The doctor’s looked it and stopped the fight. I had it scored 10-8 Holloway but it didn’t matter as the fight was stopped.
Official result – Max Holloway (20-3) by doctor’s stoppage due to injury (eye) at 5:00 of Round 4
Holloway landed 296 total strikes in the fight and over 100 in the fourth round. He threw almost 500. Holloway said that he’d probably see Ortega in a higher weight class, maybe at heavyweight since they both like to eat. As he always does, he asked Dana White to book a show in Hawaii so they could escape the cold weather.
He asked for a fight at lightweight and said he’d even fight Daniel Cormier. That was his 13th win in a row and he’s easily the best featherweight of all time and fast becoming one of the all-time greats in any weight class. And he’s only 27 years old.
As has been rumored and discussed for several months, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway vs. top challenger Brian Ortega has been signed for December’s UFC 231 in Toronto, Canada.
The fight initially was supposed to happen at July’s UFC 226, but Holloway had to medically pull out of the fight in the days leading up to the event after showing concussion-like symptoms. There was some concerns that it was tied to weight cutting, raising issues about Holloway’s health and future in the sport.
Holloway is on a 12-fight win streak and has one successful defense of the title he won a piece of in 2016 in an interim title victory over Anthony Pettis. He is coming off back-to-back victories over Jose Aldo.
Ortega is undefeated and has finished all of his seven UFC opponents since he debuted for the promotion in 2014. He was last seen knocking out Frankie Edgar in the first round in March.
As of now, UFC 231 will feature a co-main event of Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant UFC women’s strawweight title, Jimi Manuwa vs. Thiago Santos, and Eryk Anders vs. Elias Theodorou.
With the much-anticipated Max Holloway-Brian Ortega featherweight title clash now in moth balls due to Holloway’s sudden health issues, Saturday’s UFC 226 card got an adjustment Thursday assuming no other fights fall through due to weight cut issues.
Replacing Holloway-Ortega on the PPV portion of the show will be a potentially fun lightweight tilt between Paul Felder and Mike Perry, a fight bumped up from FS1.
Franics Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis is now the co-main event. The card is headlined by heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier with Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis and Khalil Rountree vs. Gokhan Saki also on the main card.
In related news, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the promotion was trying to put together Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy Stephens for the interim featherweight title but due to a recent stem cell injection that Edgar got in his shoulder, he couldn’t be ready but was down to fight on three days notice.
By all indications, Ortega is going to wait for the Holloway fight. There were rumors that the fight could be done on the promotion’s early August PPV in Los Angeles, but that would appear unlikely until Holloway gets a clean bill of health.
For the third time this year, Max Holloway has been pulled from a UFC card.
Ariel Helwani reported tonight that Holloway is off Saturday’s UFC 226 pay-per-view due to what his management team described as concussion-like symptoms after not appearing normal in the last week.
“He was showing concussion like symptoms before he even started his weight cut and was rushed to the ER on Monday where they admitted him over night,” Holloway’s management team wrote in a statement to ESPN. “Initial scans seemed okay and he was released Tuesday afternoon but symptoms still continued.
“Max fought with his team to continue with the fight. He showed some improvement over the next day but was still showing obvious symptoms. After open workouts he crashed and was very hard to wake up, when he did he had flashing vision and slurred speech.”
They noted that Holloway is now back in the ER for further tests.
Holloway was scheduled to defend his featherweight title against Brian Ortega in the semi-main event of Saturday’s PPV in Las Vegas before having to be pulled. Ortega’s status for the show hasn’t been made clear as of this writing.
UFC 226 will be headlined by Daniel Cormier challenging for Stipe Miocic’s heavyweight title.
Holloway this year has had to pull out of fights against Frankie Edgar and Khabib Nurmagomedov, the latter of which was for the UFC lightweight championship. Holloway took the bout with Nurmagomedov on short notice and was pulled during his weight-cut, while a leg injury kept him from facing Edgar.
According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will not compete on Saturday’s UFC 223 show as he was declared medically unfit to fight, likely due to having to cut a massive amount of weight in just six days notice.
Reports are that Holloway wanted to keep trying to make weight, but was told by the New York State Athletic Commission that he could not.
The LA Times’ Lance Pugmire tweeted that Dana White told him the new main event will be Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Anthony Pettis for the what would be the vacant lightweight championship. MMA Junkie reported that is the working plan, but it hasn’t been officially announced yet.
Pettis attempted to make weight, but hit 155.2 pounds. .2 over what it would take to make the fight. He had two hours to lose that .2 of a pound, but NY State officials later pulled the scale and UFC officials said he wasn’t going to weigh back in.
Paul Felder and Al Iaquinta threw their hats in the ring as well, but the commission shut down Felder due to, of all things, the rankings because he is unranked. Helwani said Iaquinta is the front runner but he weighed in .2 over as well, so that causes an issue for a title shot.
Pettis was set to face Michael Chiesa on the main card, but Chiesa was forced by the athletic commission to withdraw due to cuts on his face suffered when Conor McGregor threw a metal dolly through a van window Thursday.
We’ll have more on this confusing situation as it develops.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported Saturday afternoon that UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is injured and is pulling out of his March title defense against Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 in Las Vegas, NV.
Once confirmed by the organization, this will be the second time the fight has fallen apart due to injury. The two were originally supposed to clash in December, but Edgar hurt his hand. The Holloway injury was undisclosed.
The promotion will need to find a suitable headliner as the secondary headliner is Andrei Arlovski vs. Stefan Struve, not exactly something to main event a pay-per-view with. One problem is the UFC’s current schedule which will see them do nine shows in the first quarter with three more already scheduled for April. As most of those cards are relatively thin, they will have their work cut out for them in pulling something together. The alernative: demote the show from PPV status and make it an FS1 show instead.
This is the second PPV show this year that UFC has had to find a new main event for. Next week’s UFC 221 show in Perth, Australia, was supposed to be headlined by middleweight champion Robert Whittaker vs. Luke Rockhold, but an internal staph infection knocked Whittaker out of that fight. UFC responded by reviving the interim middleweight crown and making Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero as the main event instead.
The UFC is back on PPV tonight, and while this isn’t the deepest lineup overall, the show is headlined by what has the potential to be the fight of the year. It’s champion vs. champion as featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo goes up against interim champion Max Holloway and his 11-fight win streak.
Both title combatants have something in common in that they last tasted defeat at the hands of the current lightweight champion Conor McGregor. They also, somewhat ironically, both beat former lightweight champions to claim their versions of the title.
The co-main features two of the top contenders to the strawweight title fighting for a title rematch as both Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Claudia Gadelha have lost to Joanna Champion when going for the belt.
Former light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort returns to his home country in what could be one of his last fights against fellow veteran Nate “The Great” Marquardt. One of these guys will come away with a victory and potentially rejuvenate their career.
There isn’t much else on this show in terms of marquee matchups. For our final two panel picks, we’ve gone with the almost always entertaining Erick Silva vs. Yancy Medeiros. The two have combined for 10 post-show award bonuses, so this has the potential to steal the show. Finally, the fight that will anchor the FS1 prelims is former WSOF bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes making his UFC debut against the veteran Raphael Assuncao.
You may notice that our panel has gotten a lot filthier this time out. Joining the crew is UFC veteran and budding pro wrestling superstar Tom Lawlor. Glen Jacobs was not available.
If you’re new here, our panel picks are listed below and listed alongside the fighters’ names are their worldwide FightMatrix rankings, as well as BestFightOdds.com betting odds. The panelists’ 2017 records are in parentheses, and we also have panel consensus picks as well as a line where we show how the betting favorites did:
John Pollock (27-11; .711) — Fight Network analyst, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, MMA Report co-host
Consensus Picks (25-11; .694)
Dave Meltzer (26-12; .684) — Wrestling Observer publisher
Favorites (26-12; .684)
Mike Sawyer (25-13; .658) — Tough Talk MMA publisher
Steve Juon (25-13; .658) — MMA Mania writer, Angry Marks publisher
David Bixenspan (24-14; .632) — Deadspin pro wrestling columnist, Between the Sheets podcast host
Mike Sempervive (22-16; .579) — Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
Ryan Frederick (21-17; .553) — WrestlingObserver.com UFC writer
Paul Fontaine (19-19; .500) — MMADraws.com publisher, WrestlingObserver.com writer
Front Row Brian (18-20; .474) — MMA newsbreaker, beloved internet personality, podcast host
Tom Lawlor (0-0; .000) — Co-host of Filthy Four Daily, pro wrestling undercard fighter, UFC enhancement talent currently suspended due to wellness violation
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (26-2) vs. interim champion Max Holloway (17-3)
Since dropping a third-round decision to future dual-champion Conor McGregor, Max Holloway has been hotter than any fighter in the company. His 10 straight wins have seen him rise from the prelims to the main card to the main events and finally to this main event PPV title shot.
Standing across the Octagon was the man who, not so long ago, was even hotter than Holloway. Before being knocked out cold by McGregor, Aldo had won 18 straight fights, and to this day he’s the only man in UFC history to actually defend the UFC featherweight title.
Both are coming off impressive wins over former lightweight champions as Aldo dominated Frankie Edgar on his way to a five-round decision win and Holloway KO’d Anthony Pettis in the third round in the main event of UFC 206.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-1) vs. Claudia Gadelha (14-2) (strawweights)
Between these two, they have three career losses and they’ve all been at the hands of current strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk. They are also pretty much regarded as the class of the division outside of the current champion, and whoever wins will probably get another shot at the belt.
Kowalkiewicz beat another top contender, Rose Namajunas, in the fight of the night at UFC 201, which was her third straight win in UFC. Gadelha will be fighting in her home country and will be attempting to win her second straight fight in UFC and fourth overall. She is coming off a decision win over the very tough Cortney Casey.
Vitor Belfort (25-13) vs. Nate Marquardt (35-17-2) (middleweights)
Both of these guys have seen better days, but they also have enough power to end this one quickly. Every single one of Belfort’s UFC wins has come by way of stoppage. Marquardt has nine such wins on his record in 13 UFC victories.
Belfort would be on a three-fight losing streak if his loss to Kelvin Gastelum hadn’t been overturned due to a drug test failure. His only win since November 2013 has been a first round KO over the now-retired Dan Henderson. Marquardt has lost seven of his last 10, but all three wins have come by stoppage. He most recently upset Tamdan McCrory by knocking him out in the second round.
Yancie Medeiros (13-4) vs. Erick Silva (19-7) (welterweights)
Medeiros is the second Hawaiian on the main card behind main-eventer Max Holloway. Any fans making the trek to Brazil to see Holloway will likely be behind Medeiros as well. But Silva will be the heavy crowd favorite nonetheless as he’s one of the most popular fighters in his home country due to his reckless and exciting style of fighting.
Silva very much has a kill-or-be-killed philosophy as two of his 13 UFC fights have gone the distance. Medeiros is much the same as three of his four UFC wins have come by way of submission. This could be a sleeper of a great fight.
Marlon Moraes (18-4) vs. Raphael Assuncao (24-5) (bantamweights)
Long regarded as one of the world’s best bantamweight fighters outside of the UFC, Moraes will make his long-awaited UFC debut in search of his 14th straight win. Standing in his way will be the tough veteran Raphael Assuncao, who holds a win over former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw.
Moraes hasn’t faced a tremendous level of competition on the way to his lengthy streak, but he does have two wins over former TUF fighter Josh Hill. Assuncao is coming off a split-decision win over Aljamain Sterling last time out and, in fact, has only lost one time in the last six-plus years. He could be on the brink of title contention should he knock off the former WSOF champion Moraes here.
Paulo Henrique Costa (9-0) vs. Oluwale Bamgbose (6-2) (middleweights)
Costa #75; -269 betting favorite
Bamgbose #172; +242 betting underdog
Antonio Carlos Junior (7-2) vs. Eric Spicely (10-1) (middleweights)
Junior #50; -211 betting favorite
Spicely #26; +201 betting underdog
Johnny Eduardo (28-10) vs. Matthew Lopez (9-1) (bantamweights)
Eduardo #28; +160 betting underdog
Lopez #63; -160 betting favorite
Iuri Alcantara (35-4) vs. Brian Kelleher (16-7) (bantamweights)
Alcantara #10; -309 betting favorite
Kelleher #38; +279 betting underdog
Viviane Pereira (12-0) vs. Jamie Moyle (4-1) (strawweights)
Pereira #13; -135 betting favorite
Moyle #38; +138 betting underdog
Luan Chagas (14-2) vs. Jim Wallhead (29-10) (welterweights)
Chagas #99; -249 betting favorite
Wallhead #108; +221 betting underdog
Marco Antonio Beltran (8-4) vs. Deiveson Alcantra (11-0) (flyweights)
Beltran #81 at bantamweight; +125 betting underdog
Alcantra #34; -137 betting favorite
Action begins with the Fight Pass prelims at 6:30 p.m. ET and moves over to FS1 at 8 p.m. ET. The main card airs on PPV at 10 p.m. ET, covered by yours truly.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 206: Holloway vs. Pettis, eminating from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The event is headlined by a battle for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship as Max Holloway takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. This bout is a replacement for the original main event, which was scheduled to be UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier defending against Anthony Johnson.
This fight will only be a title fight for Holloway after Pettis missed weight on Friday. If Pettis were to win, there would be no interim champion, so there is a lot on the line for Holloway. Holloway has put together one of the most impressive win streaks in the UFC, having won nine straight fights.
The co-main event is a potential barnburner in the welterweight division as Donald Cerrone looks to extend his three-fight win streak when he takes on Matt Brown. A featherweight bout between sluggers Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi, and a middleweight bout between Tim Kennedy and Kelvin Gastelum also highlight the main card.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
Ortiz got a couple of takedowns early but Makovsky was defending. Ortiz got back mount and was looking for a choke when Makovsky got out and reversed with a takedown of his own. They were grappling in a clinch with both landing some knees and elbows. Makovsky got a takedown late but Ortiz reversed into full guard on top as the round ended. 10-9 Ortiz in the first. Ortiz went back into grappling mode in the second and got a takedown and took the back of Makovsky. Ortiz was attacking with punches and elbows from the back and was looking to find a choke. Makovsky was able to scramble out to the feet. Makovsky got a late takedown but Ortiz scrambled out and landed some knees to the body. 10-9 Ortiz in the second and I had him up 20-18. Makovsky got a takedown in the third but Ortiz had the neck but Makovsky got free into the guard. Ortiz was able to get to his feet and was able to push the fight against the fence for a moment. Makovsky was able to defend some takedown attempts from Ortiz before Ortiz finally got him down and moved to mount and was landing some strikes. They got up and Ortiz drug it down for a moment late. Makovsky got a late takedown but Ortiz was able to scramble out onto top. I had the third 10-9 for Ortiz and Ortiz winning 30-27 overall. Ortiz got the decision, but one judge gave the fight to Makovsky. I wouldn’t agree with that at all, but the right guy won.
Official Result- Dustin Ortiz def. Zach Makovsky by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Jason Saggo (12-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Rustam Khabilov (20-3, 6-2 UFC) Lightweights- Khabilov missed weight, coming in at 158.5 pounds
Khabilov was on the attack early with punches and kicks but Saggo came back and landed some kicks before Khabilov landed two big right hands and scored a takedown. Khabilov spent the rest of the round in the guard but was mostly neutralized by Saggo in the guard. It was still a 10-9 round for Khabilov. Both were tentative on their feet landing kicks before Saggo landed a jumping kick. Khabilov was being patient on the feet and found the takedown with less than two minutes to go in the round. Saggo was able to get to his feet but started eating a lot of huge strikes from Khabilov. He had Saggo in trouble late but Saggo escaped. Khabilov was able to reverse a Saggo takedown attempt at the end of the round. A 10-9 round for Khabilov, and I had him up 20-18. They were trading strikes early in the third. Khabilov got a takedown into the guard of Saggo. Khabilov landed a lot from the top. They got up and Khabilov got another takedown. Saggo almost reversed to an armbar but Khabilov escaped to the guard. Khabilov got a third takedown in the round late. That was definitely a 10-9 round for Khabilov and I had him winning a clear 30-27 decision. He took the decision on all the scorecards, and Khabilov called out Kevin Lee in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Rustam Khabilov def. Jason Saggo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> John Makdessi (14-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Lando Vannata (8-1, 0-1 UFC) Lightweights
They were trading back-and-forth early. No real openings were there but Vannata was the aggressor. Makdessi was landing jabs. Out of nowhere Vannata knocked Makdessi out cold with a spinning wheel kick! A highlight reel finish and a big knockout win for Vannata. One of the best knockouts of the year. Vannata may be a lot richer at the end of the night.
Official Result- Lando Vannata def. John Makdessi by knockout (head kick) at 1:40 of Round 1
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> Mitch Gagnon (12-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. Matthew Lopez (8-1, 0-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Lopez got a takedown stuffed early. Gagnon then rocked Lopez with a big punch and swarmed on looking for the finish. Gagnon had Lopez in a lot of trouble landing punch after punch. Gagnon had the back and looked to lock in a choke but Lopez was able to defend and scrambled to guard. Lopez amazingly recovered but the fight should have been stopped. They got up and both men dropped looking for leg locks. Lopez survived the round but clearly 10-9 for Gagnon. Gagnon went for a takedown in the second but Lopez reversed into full guard. Gagnon was able to scramble out but Lopez drug him to the ground and was looking for a choke from the back. Lopez got into mount but Gagnon got back up. Lopez got another takedown late. 10-9 round for Lopez and I have it even 19-19, but Gagnon could’ve gotten a 10-8 first. Gagnon landed a low blow at the start of the third. Lopez recovered and then got a takedown and was grinding from the top. Gagnon was able to get to his feet. Lopez scored another big takedown. Lopez landed quite a few punches from the back. Lopez went for a choke but the fight ended without him finding it. 10-9 third round for Lopez and I have him winning 29-28. It’ll come down to how the first round is scored. Lopez won on all scorecards. Interestingly, no judge gave a 10-8 round in the first for Gagnon, but one judge had a 10-8 round for Lopez, likely the third.
Official Result- Matthew Lopez def. Mitch Gagnon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
> Valerie Letourneau (#9, 8-5, 3-2 UFC) vs. Viviane Pereira (11-0, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights- *Letourneau missed weight, coming in at 117.5 pounds
Letourneau caught a leg and scored a takedown and was in the mount against the fence. Letourneau landing punches from the top. Pereira was able to get back to her feet. Pereira had Letourneau against the fence and was trying a takedown but Letourneau is just too big for her. Pereira just holding the clinch and Letourneau lands some knees. 10-9 opening round for Letourneau. They were trading in the second round. Pereira standing a lot on the outside and Letourneau being the more aggressive fighter. Pereira got a takedown off the clinch against the fence. Pereira landed some hammerfists and then let Letourneau back up. 10-9 second round for Pereira, 19-19 after two. They were trading in the third with neither getting the edge. A very slow third round. They got in a clinch and neither got the edge. They traded at the end. No clear round winner in the third. I’m giving it 10-9 to Letourneau for volume, and have it 29-28 Letourneau. Pereira took the fight on two scorecards. Not a bad call as neither did anything in that third round, or in most of the fight.
Official Result- Viviane Pereira def. Valerie Letourneau by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (17-7 1 NC, 3-3 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
They were trading earlier and Aubin-Mercier dropped Dober with a left hand briefly. Dober was bleeding heavily from the nose. Aubin-Mercier was landing the jab at will and tagged Dober with a left hand and then dropped him for a moment with a body punch. Dober slipped on a kick. Dober cracked him late with a left hand and another. 10-9 round for Aubin-Mercier. Dober dropped Aubin-Mercier with a left hand and went right into the full guard. Aubin-Mercier grabbed a leg lock and used it to sweep Dober and he ended up into the full guard of Dober. Aubin-Mercier transitioned to the back and was able to get the arm under Dober’s neck and locked in a rear-naked choke. Dober tapped out and Aubin-Mercier gets the win by submission! First win for a Canadian fighter tonight.
Official Result- Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Drew Dober by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:57 of Round 2
They were trading with Krylov landing primarily kicks and Cirkunov punches. Cirkunov got a takedown. Krylov got to his feet. Krylov landed a body kick followed by a right hand. Cirkunov got another takedown but Krylov scrambled up and got a takedown of his own. Cirkunov swept to the top but they scrambled up. Cirkunov landed a big left hand and got another brief takedown. Cirkunov dropped Krylov with a left hand and locked in a deep guillotine and Krylov tapped! Cirkunov with the submission win in the first! That’s eight straight wins overall for Cirkunov, four straight in the UFC. Cirkunov expressed a desire to fight Shogun Rua in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Misha Cirkunov def. Nikita Krylov by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:38 of Round 2
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> Jordan Mein (29-10, 3-2 UFC) vs. Emil Meek (8-2-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) Welterweights
Mein is back from retirement. They traded leg kicks and Mein got a takedown but Meek got right back up. Meek landed a big leg kick and Mein countered with a takedown. They scrambled to their feet. Meek started landing punches that stunned Mein. They traded punches and Mein landed a big right hand. Mein landed two kicks then a left hand and got a takedown. Meek made a grimace and pointed to his ribs. They got up and started trading. Meek hurt Mein with a right hand. Fun first round. 10-9 Mein. Mein landing leg kicks in the second but Meek is coming back with a flurry of punches. Meek scored a takedown. Meek working from half-guard as Mein is doing nothing on the bottom. Meek looking for an arm-triangle in the mount. He had it in but Mein hip escaped. Meek landing punches from the top as the round ended. 10-9 Meek in the second, 19-19 so far. They traded early in the third and Meek pushed Mein against the fence. Meek got a takedown. The pace really slowed. Meek remaining on top and neither doing much. The crowd booing the slow pace of the round. Meek with more punches from the top. Mein tried a kimura but couldn’t get it as the fight ends. 10-9 Meek and I have it 29-28 Meek. All three judges had it the same.
Official Result- Emi Meek def. Jordan Mein by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Tim Kennedy (#10, 18-5, 3-1 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#8 WW, 12-2, 7-2 UFC) Middleweights
The first round was mostly all Kennedy as he took Gastelum down multiple times and was wearing him down with a body lock. Gastelum was able to escaped and tagged Kennedy a couple of times and Kennedy had a swollen right eye, and Gastelum rocked him late. I think he stole it at the end so I had it 10-9 Gastelum.
Kennedy tried to put this fight back to a grind in the second with a body lock but Gastelum escaped and was getting the better of the striking battle. Gastelum definitely had a speed edge on the feet and Kennedy started to show signs of gassing as the round wore on. 10-9 round for Gastelum and I had him up 20-18.
Gastelum was picking Kennedy apart on the feet early in the third round and had him close to being finished. He continued to tee off and dropped Kennedy and finally finished it in the third as John McCarthy stepped in. A big win for Gastelum and he looked very good in this fight. He expressed his desire to go back to 170 pounds after the fight. He looked great here so that might not be the right move.
Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Tim Kennedy by TKO (punches) at 2:45 of Round 3
> Cub Swanson (#4, 23-7, 8-3 UFC) vs. Doo Ho Choi (#11, 15-1, 3-0 UFC) Featherweights
They were going back-and-forth on their feet with both men landing hard punches. The output was more Swanson but Choi was connecting more and landing with more power and he had some real snap on his punches. All action on the feet in the first round. I had it 10-9 Choi.
The second round was so awesome. They were throwing punches back and forth and both men had the other close to being finished. They were just cracking each other in an amazing sequence. Swanson changed the pace for a moment but they got back up and were cracking each other with punches again. At one point, Swanson landed a cartwheel kick and a spinning back fist in back-to-back sequences. They both somehow survived. One of the best rounds of the year. I had it 10-9 Swanson, 19-19 after two.
The third round was nuts as well. They were just hitting each other with everything they had. Swanson cracked Choi with so many punches it was unreal how his chin held up. Both men were just hitting each other so hard. Swanson had Choi in trouble a lot but Choi was unreal in survivng. It was another amazing round. Swanson dropped him at the end. We have a late front runner for fight of the year. I had round three 10-9 for Swanson and the fight 29-28 for Swanson.
The crowd went crazy after the fight. All three judges had the fight for Swanson. He credited Choi for calling him out and making him question himself and said he trained hard for the fight. Choi- “If this is what losing feels like, I’m going to train even more, and I’m not going to lose again.” He said he is a huge fan of Swanson and really wanted to fight him.
Official Result- Cub Swanson def. Doo Ho Choi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Donald Cerrone (#5, #10 LW, 31-7 1 NC, 18-4 UFC) vs. Matt Brown (#14, 20-15, 13-9 UFC) Welterweights
The first round mostly stayed standing and they were cracking each other, but Cerrone had more volume and had Brown in trouble. Brown did land some big punches and had Cerrone in a triangle choke at one point, but Cerrone escaped. Brown came on better at the end of the round. I had it 10-9 for Cerrone.
They were trading and Brown dropped Cerrone at one point and had him in trouble. Cerrone then ended up dropping Brown a few moments later. Both were landing, but as the round wore on, it looked like Cerrone’s punches were doing more damage and had Brown in more trouble.. Brown’s face was a bloody mess in this round. It was close, but I had it 10-9 for Cerrone based on damage. I had it 20-18 Cerrone.
They hugged at the start of the third round, but it didn’t last much longer after that. Cerrone landed a perfectly placed head kick and Brown went out cold! A highlight-reel knockout win for Cerrone! Cerrone said he wanted on the Denver card on January 28 in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Donald Cerrone def. Matt Brown by knockout (head kick) at :34 of Round 3
> Max Holloway (#2, 16-3, 12-3 UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (#5, 19-5, 6-4 UFC) Interim UFC Featherweight Championship for Holloway, Pettis missed weight, coming in at 148 pounds
The first round was a lot of a feeling out process. Holloway was leaving himself wide open and Pettis was able to strike accordingly with side kicks and high kicks. Holloway started to find his strikes late and was landing clean and hard strikes as the round progressed. It started going his way at the end. I had it 10-9 for Holloway.
Holloway knocked Pettis down early in the second and Pettis got up and was starting to be more aggressive, likely sensing he was down in the fight. He kept closing in on Holloway, but that allowed Holloway to attack the body. Holloway was getting the better of the exchanges so Pettis tried to turn this into a clinch grind but the round ended before he could get anything going. I had round two 10-9 for Holloway, and him up 20-18.
As we start round three, it appears Pettis has a broken hand. It clearly has affected his gameplan as he stopped throwing his right hand and was mostly going for kicks. Holloway was executing his offense very well, mixing his striking with some well-timed trip takedowns. Pettis did hurt him with some jabs but that seems to be his main course of offense. Holloway then landed a beautiful sequence to the body that stunned and dropped Pettis and Holloway poured on the punches until Yves Lavigne stepped in and stopped it. A big finish by Holloway and he is now the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion.
Holloway called out Jose Aldo to unify the championships at UFC 208 in Brooklyn in February. Pettis said he broke his right hand with the first punch, and said he was going back to 155 pounds as the weight cut to 145 pounds is too much for him.
Official Result- Max Holloway def. Anthony Pettis by TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of Round 3
Anthony Pettis will miss an opportunity to become the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion as he missed weight for the UFC 206 headliner during the official weigh-ins on Friday morning. Ariel Helwani reported that he was going to miss prior to him stepping on the scale during MMAFighting’s live video feed of this morning’s weigh-in festivities.
Pettis officially weighed in at 148 pounds. He had to weigh in at no more than 145 pounds to make his title fight against Max Holloway official. Holloway had already successfully made weight at 145 pounds earlier during weigh-ins.
This is the first time a fighter has missed weight for a championship bout since Travis Lutter missed weight at UFC 67 way back in February 2007.
The fight will still take place and will remain a five-round main event. If Holloway wins, he becomes the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion. Should Pettis defeat Holloway, he will not become champion. Pettis was looking to become the fourth fighter in UFC history to win championships in two different weight classes.
Here’s some advice for your gambling and fantasy needs for Saturday’s UFC 206 event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, headlined by Max Holloway taking on Anthony Pettis for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship on pay-per-view.
MAIN CARD
Interim UFC Featherweight Championship- Max Holloway (16-3) vs. Anthony Pettis (19-5)
Betting Odds: Holloway (-210), Pettis (+175) DraftKings Salaries: Holloway- $8,800, Pettis- $7,400 Key Statistic: Pettis has never been finished in his career Analysis: This is a very interesting and high-level fight for the interim championship at 145 pounds. Holloway is on fire, having won nine straight fights, but he fights the toughest opponent he has had since that streak began in Pettis. Pettis is a man who has never been finished in his career, extremely durable and ultra flashy. He presents a different style that Holloway hasn’t seen in those nine fights. Holloway has to be prepared for an opponent who will look to finish him in any possible way. Holloway is a pressure fighter whereas Pettis is someone who is patient in looking for openings. Holloway is much improved over his young career, and he throws a lot of volume on his feet. Pettis may try and take this fight to the mat and Holloway has been submitted in his career. This is really a close fight. With it being so close, a bet on Pettis isn’t a bad move at all. Holloway is significantly higher in fantasy salaries, and I don’t see him finishing Pettis, which limits his value. However, this fight will go 25 minutes if Holloway is ahead, and volume adds up. Both men are good fantasy plays as Pettis can score the finish.
Donald Cerrone (31-7 1 NC) vs. Matt Brown (20-15)
Betting Odds: Cerrone (-290), Brown (+245) DraftKings Salaries: Cerrone- $9,300, Brown- $6,900 Key Statistic: Cerrone with 16 career wins by submission Analysis: Cerrone and Brown are ready to throw down in a welterweight slugfest serving as the co-main event on Saturday. Cerrone has been on a tear since moving up to 170 pounds, winning three straight to become a bonafide contender. Brown needs a win badly in this one, but it is a tall order. As exciting as Cerrone is in fights, he is also very smart and calculated, and his best shot at winning is actually getting the mat to the ground. Cerrone has won 16 fights by submission, while Brown has been submitted ten times in his career. Cerrone is better on the feet, but Brown is good at applying pressure, and Brown will have a size edge over him. Cerrone is just too technically good for Brown, and I see a submission win for him. Cerrone has the highest salary value on this card, and is the biggest betting favorite. He is a good play for both.
Cub Swanson (23-7) vs. Doo Ho Choi (15-1)
Betting Odds: Swanson (+190), Choi (-230) DraftKings Salaries: Swanson- $7,300, Choi- $8,900 Key Statistic: Choi has 12 wins by knockout Analysis: Swanson is a big-time veteran of the sport, with 12 years of experience at just 33-years-old. Choi is a super prospect at 25-years-old and winner of 13 straight fights. Choi has three wins in the UFC, all by knockout in the first round. This is his toughest test. Swanson is quick on his feet but tends to keep his hands low, and Choi is an excellent counterpuncher with tremendous power. He is also good enough of a defensive wrestler that he will be able to negate any level changes that Swanson comes at him with. Swanson has only been knocked out once in his career, but he does have a lot of mileage on him. If there is a fighter who is going to be the next to finish him on the feet, Choi is the perfect candidate. I like Choi a lot in this fight. However, with all of that being said, Swanson holds some real value at $7,300 in fantasy as he is Choi’s toughest fight yet, and there is always that potential for upsets by veterans.
Tim Kennedy (18-5) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (13-2)
Betting Odds: Kennedy (-135), Gastelum (+115) DraftKings Salaries: Kennedy- $8,300, Gastelum- $7,900 Key Statistic: Kennedy hasn’t fought since September 2014 Analysis: Kennedy welcomes Gastelum back to 185 pounds in his first fight in over 26 months. Kennedy is a strong middleweight, and Gastelum is going to be giving up some size. Kennedy has power and is a great wrestler, though Gastelum is a solid wrestler himself. Gastelum is a southpaw, and he might have a slight edge on the feet, but Kennedy is a pressure fighter who isn’t afraid to turn a fight into a grind. He is an excellent grappler who knows how to keep opponents on the mat, and he is adept at winning scrambles. This might not be a crowd-pleasing fight, but I’m picking Kennedy to win it by decision. They’re close on the betting odds, so you can make some money on this fight. I’m not sure if I would favor either in fantasy line-ups as I don’t expect a finish here. Kennedy would be the play there, though, with his ability to score takedowns, which rack up points.
Jordan Mein (29-10) vs. Emil Meek (8-2 1 NC)
Betting Odds: Mein (-155), Meek (+135) DraftKings Salaries: Mein- $9,000, Meek- $7,200 Key Statistic: Mein coming out of retirement to fight for first time since January 2015 Analysis: Mein makes his return to competition as he welcomes the debuting Meek. It’s a tough first fight coming out of retirement for Mein, who is still young at 27, but will be fighting for the 40th time. Mein is a skilled striker with good power, with 16 knockout wins. He has also been finished seven times in his career. Meek has killer instinct as all of his wins have come by a finish, and he has ultra power in his hands, and he is a better grappler. Mein has stayed training during his retirement, but ring rust is hard to shake off. He is the more talented fighter, and that might be enough to get him the win. Meek is an excellent play in fantasy at a $7,200 salary. You’d be foolish to not consider him.
PRELIMS
Nikita Krylov (21-4) vs. Misha Cirkunov (12-2)
Betting Odds: Krylov (+100), Cirkunov (-120) DraftKings Salaries: Krylov- $8,100, Cirkunov- $8,100 Key Statistic: Krylov has never been the distance in his career Analysis: This is a rare fight between two prospects at 205 pounds, and it’ll determine which one is closer to title contention. Both men are big light heavyweights. Krylov is a proven finisher, having won all 21 of his fights by finish. He also has been finished in all four of his losses. Cirkunov has ten wins by finish, and has been submitted in both of his losses. Krylov is a better striker while Cirkunov is a better wrestler. This is a dead-even fight, both in betting odds and fantasy value. Krylov is the better bet to score a finish, and he would be the fantasy play in this one.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-2) vs. Drew Dober (17-7 1 NC)
Betting Odds: Aubin-Mercier (-170), Dober (+150) DraftKings Salaries: Aubin-Mercier- $8,200, Dober- $8,000 Key Statistic: Aubin-Mercier averages just under three takedowns per fight Analysis: Two southpaws match up in an interesting bout at 155 pounds. Aubin-Mercier is big and athletic for the weight class and is a strong takedown artist. Dober is more technical on his feet, but he has an underrated submission game. Aubin-Mercier has to work his takedown game as Dober will make him pay on the feet, especially with counters. Aubin-Mercier is just a slightly better fighter, and he has seven wins by submission. I feel like he is getting his eighth, and is a good fantasy play. I would avoid Dober at his salary.
Valerie Letourneau (8-5) vs. Viviane Pereira (12-0)
Betting Odds: Letourneau (-175), Pereira (+155) DraftKings Salaries: Letourneau- $8,400, Pereira- $7,800 Key Statistic: Letourneau has a 7-inch height advantage Analysis: Pereira makes her UFC debut boasting an undefeated record, but gets a former title challenger in Letourneau. Letourneau is going to have a huge size advantage, with seven inches in height, five inches in reach, and she cuts a lot of weight to make 115 pounds. She is the better striker of the two. Pereira is going to have to hope for a takedown and some time from the top. I think Letourneau will be able to keep it standing and take a decision. Neither fighter is a recommended fantasy play in your line-ups.
Mitch Gagnon (12-3) vs. Matthew Lopez (8-1)
Betting Odds: Gagnon (-155), Lopez (+135) DraftKings Salaries: Gagnon- $8,600, Lopez- $7,600 Key Statistic: Gagnon has eleven wins by submission Analysis: Gagnon returns after being out of action for almost two years. Lopez looks to rebound from his first career loss suffered in his UFC debut. Gagnon is quick on his feet but lacks the true power that Lopez holds. Gagnon is the better takedown artist, and he is more adept at finding submissions. Lopez has seven wins by finish, all in the first round, so he is dangerous. Gagnon has eleven submission wins, ten of which came in the first round. This will be explosive. Lopez is a good value play in fantasy contests at a modest $7,600 salary.
John Makdessi (14-5) vs. Lando Vannata (8-1)
Betting Odds: Makdessi (+160), Vannata (-185) DraftKings Salaries: Makdessi- $7,500, Vannata- $8,500 Key Statistic: Both men land over five significant strikes per minute Analysis: This will be a high-volume action fight. Makdessi has probably peaked as a fighter as he fights the same fight offensively and defensively in his recent fights. Vannata has taken notice of that, and he himself is an excellent lightweight prospect. As good as Makdessi has looked, this feels like a fight to get Vannata a win. Makdessi can be tricky on his feet, but Vannata has more tricks of his own, and has a good grappling game to back him up. He is more powerful, more athletic, and better overall, and this feels like a lock for him to win. He is a good bet and a great fantasy play as I see him getting a finish.
Jason Saggo (12-2) vs. Rustam Khabilov (20-3)
Betting Odds: Saggo (+170), Khabilov (-200) DraftKings Salaries: Saggo- $7,100, Khabilov- $9,100 Key Statistic: Khabilov has 28 takedowns in UFC competition Analysis: Saggo is a potent striker but he has a huge test in front of him in the form of Khabilov, one of the most-gifted takedown artists at 155 pounds. Khabilov averages over four takedowns per 15 minutes, and we know that will be coming. He is also solid on his feet. The biggest knock on Khabilov is his ability to be completely inactive in fights. It could cost him and Saggo is a decent underdog pick. If he doesn’t give away rounds, Khabilov is a safe bet to win the fight. I’m not sure how valuable he will be in fantasy contests, as while takedowns score a lot of points, he isn’t a guaranteed finish, something his $9,100 salary will need.
Zach Makovsky (19-7) vs. Dustin Ortiz (15-6)
Betting Odds: Makovsky (-160), Ortiz (+140) DraftKings Salaries: Makovsky- $8,500, Ortiz- $7,700 Key Statistic: Ortiz has never been finished in his career Analysis: These guys are mirror images, and this should be a technical flyweight fight to open the action on Saturday. It could also become a very boring fight. Ortiz has never been finished in his career, and I don’t expect that to change on Saturday. Makovsky is a more skilled wrestler, and Ortiz may just be a tad better on the feet. Neither man will likely take a lot of chances, but both could be fighting for their roster spot. I would pick Makovsky to win this fight by a decision. I wouldn’t play either in fantasy contests, but if I had to, Ortiz has better value at a $7,700 salary.
A key featherweight bout has been added to December’s UFC 206 event as Max Holloway (16-3, 12-3 UFC) will put his nine-fight win streak on the line when he takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis (19-5, 6-4 UFC). The bout was first reported by TSN in Canada.
Holloway will be looking to accomplish a rare feat inside the Octagon of getting ten straight wins after posting back-to-back decision wins over Ricardo Lamas and Jeremy Stephens in his two most recent fights. He also has scored wins over notable ranked fighters such as Cub Swanson and Charles Oliveira during his win streak, which has seen him finish six of his nine opponents.
The streak has catapulted Holloway to third in the UFC’s official rankings, and many think he is next in line for a title shot after the situation between Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor and the unification of the UFC Featherweight Championship gets sorted out.
Pettis is looking to score his second straight win since moving down to 145 pounds after scoring a submission win over Charles Oliveira in August. That ended his three-fight losing skid which started with losing his UFC Lightweight Championship to now former champion Rafael Dos Anjos, and followed with losses to current champion Eddie Alvarez and Edson Barboza.
Despite the skid, Pettis has never been finished in his career, and even though he has just one fight at 145 pounds, he finds himself currently ranked sixth and could be in line for a title shot with a win over Holloway.
Other additions to that event today include a bantamweight bout between Mitch Gagnon (12-3, 4-2 UFC) and Matthew Lopez (8-1, 0-1 UFC), and a women’s strawweight bout change as Valerie Letourneau (8-5, 3-2 UFC) now takes on debuting Viviane Pereira (11-0, 0-0 UFC), who is a replacement for the injured Poliana Botelho.
UFC 206 takes place on December 10 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The event is headlined by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout as Daniel Cormier defends against Anthony Johnson.
