The UFC heads to Fox Sports 1 on Sunday night for a fight card meant to take advantage of the advertising boost provided by the NFL playoffs. In the main event, the best fight the promotion has ever put on the network, former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz looks to regain the belt he never actually lost against reigning titleholder T.J. Dillashaw.
It’s hard to overstate what a great fight this is. Cruz was a revolutionary fighter in his prime, and pioneered both the mastery of transitions and the confusing footwork that many fighters now use extensively. Dillashaw, for example, began using that style of movement when preparing Urijah Faber for a rubber match with Cruz that never came.
The fight has several different compelling narratives: old school versus new; former champion versus the current one; Cruz’s attempt to make a comeback from a series of devastating injuries; and one more iteration of the ongoing feud between Cruz and Faber, though the last has lost some sting since Dillashaw’s departure from Team Alpha Male.
The bantamweight division has waited a long time for this, and there’s little chance the bout will disappoint. It’s a fascinating fight in the cage, and the implications are every bit as intriguing.
The rest of the card is excellent. Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis takes on Eddie Alvarez in a barnburner of a co-main event with huge implications in a division that now includes Conor McGregor. Travis Browne and Matt Mitrione will put on a heavyweight banger, and the main card opens up with a fun lightweight scrap between Ross Pearson and Francisco Trinaldo.
The undercard was outstanding until a couple of weeks ago, but injuries and visa issues have removed much of the appeal. The highlight is a great bout between Daron Cruickshank and Paul Felder on Fight Pass.
Let’s take a look at each individual matchup, complete with breakdowns and predictions for the entire UFC Fight Night card.