UFC 188 will feature a highly anticipated battle for the heavyweight title, although fans will have plenty to watch throughout Saturday night with a total of 11 intriguing matchups leading up to the main event.
Besides the big story of how well Cain Velasquez will fight in his return to the Octagon against Fabricio Werdum, fans will get to see what should be a close battle between Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez as well as a look at an up-and-coming fighter, Kelvin Gastelum.
In the preliminary matches, guys like Henry Cejudo, Johnny Case and Albert Tumenov can showcase their talent even if their battles are one-sided. No matter what style of competition you like, there will be enough of it on Saturday.
Here is a look at what you need to know before the start of the event to help you follow along.
UFC 188
When: Saturday, June 13
Where: Mexico City Arena, Mexico City, Mexico
Prelim Start Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Prelim Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass
PPV Start Time: 10 p.m. ET
PPV Purchasing Info: UFC TV
Top Fights to Watch
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nate Marquardt
There is a big difference in this match when it comes to experience, as noted by Bleacher Report’s Scott Harris:
Despite just being 23 years old, though, Gastelum has a lot of promise as a fighter. He won his first 10 matches before falling to Tyron Woodley in a split decision. He also knows how to finish opponents, as seven of his wins have been by submission or TKO.
Nate Marquardt has the size advantage as well as the overwhelming gap in experience, as the 36-year-old veteran has a 33-14 record in his career. Unfortunately, the last few years haven’t been great with four losses in his last five bouts.
Marquardt still knows how to beat good fighters, but at his age he doesn’t have the quickness he once did.
This will be a good chance for Gastelum to take advantage and get back on the right track after his previous loss.
Prediction: Gastelum wins by submission.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Eddie Alvarez
Two veteran fighters who can still get it done could create the most intriguing match of the pay-per-view.
Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez have discussed a match against each other for some time, with both men calling each other out on occasion. After years of bickering, they will finally get together at UFC 188.
This could not have come soon enough for Melendez, according to Damon Martin of Fox Sports:
It’s put up or shut up time. It’s time for both of us to put up and get this done. There are just some guys you are destined to scrap with and I knew he was one of them. I look forward to it. I’ll do my talking in the cage. I might do a little more talking in the cage than I’ve done in a while.
Both men are coming off losses in their last bouts, but Melendez has faced tougher competition in recent years. We can excuse defeats to Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis as he has plenty of quality wins to make up for it.
On the other hand, Alvarez is 0-1 in his UFC career after dominating Bellator for years. He could not beat Donald Cerrone and could end up struggling against the man he has wanted to face for so long.
This should be an entertaining battle, but Melendez has what it takes to win a close one.
Prediction: Melendez wins by unanimous decision.
Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum
It’s been almost two years since Velasquez last defended his title against Junior dos Santos. Since October 2013, injuries have kept the heavyweight out of the Octagon and out of the minds of many fans.
“The main thing was to recover 100 percent and not come back too early,” Velasquez said of his long recovery, per Damon Calhoun of the Orange County Register. “The way we train gets us ready for a fight. Injuries happen in this sport.”
In that time, Werdum has risen through the ranks and earned the interim heavyweight title with a victory over Mark Hunt at UFC 180.
Still, Patrick Wyman of Sherdog wants people to remember just how good Velasquez is when healthy:
At his best, the 32-year-old fighter showed he was one of the best heavyweights ever in the sport. He twice avenged his only career loss to Dos Santos and has the ability to have an extended title run, a rare feat in this division.
Werdum has a wide skill set that allows him to be a dangerous striker while also earning plenty of submissions. If he can extend this match to the later rounds, he might gain an advantage against a potentially out-of-shape opponent.
The problem is Velasquez is too strong and talented. He should end this match before his conditioning might become a problem.
Prediction: Velasquez wins by TKO.
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