Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the hurt business today (Sat., July 28, 2018) with UFC on FOX 30, which is set to go down from inside Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The FOX-televised event will feature a Lightweight rematch between Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. In the co-main event, Jose Aldo will take on Jeremy Stephens in a pivotal Featherweight showdown.
What’s Hot:
Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier engaged in a thrilling battle back at UFC 211 last year, but the fight ultimately ended in a “No Contest” after Alvarez delivered some illegal knees to a downed opponent. Since then, the two men have been at each others throats, insulting each other on social media while trying to secure do-over. Poirier has defeated Anthony Pettis and Justin Gaethje since that fight, while Alvarez also defeated Gaethje during that span. With wins under their belts, the time for a rematch is upon us and both men are looking to right the wrongs of UFC 211 and secure a victory in hopes of not only getting some closure, but a shot at the 155-pound title, as well.
While Conor McGregor will likely get first dibs against Khabib Nurmagomedov, it’s safe to assume that the winner of Alvarez vs. Poirier has next. For Alvarez, a win has much more meaning as he is looking to impress the powers that be at UFC to secure a lucrative, long-term deal with the promotion. For Poirier, a win over Alvarez will net him his first-ever title shot and some much-desired redemption.
Expect plenty of violence and plenty of blood.
Jose Aldo has gone on record saying his combat career is slowly coming to an end, as he has no plans to re-sign with UFC at the conclusion of his current deal. But just because the former 145-pound champion is nearing retirement, doesn’t mean he is going to just go through the steps. Indeed, “Junior” is as hungry as ever to reclaim his title and would love nothing more than to ride off into the sunset as champion. It will be a tough task for the Brazilian bomber as Jeremy Stephens is no walk in the park. “Lil Heathen” has won three in a row and is knocking on the door of his first-ever UFC title shot.
A win over the former champion will kick the door down, all while sending Aldo spiraling down even further. That’s because “Junior” is going into the fight on a two-fight losing streak, and three straight defeats would be detrimental to his championship goals.
What’s Not:
It’s a pretty solid card and there really isn’t much to nitpick about.
Original Card Vs. Actual Card:
Since the announcement of the event, nothing changed as all fighters escaped injury and the lineup has remained intact.
Injuries:
None reported!
New Blood:
No new blood for this event.
How The ‘Prelims’ Look:
The underbelly of the event will feature plenty of intriguing matchups, starting with John Makdessi taking on longtime veteran Ross Pearson. Not much has been heard from Pearson, as he recently broke his four-fight skid by defeating Mizuto Hirota this past February. He will look to collect back-to-back wins for the first time since 2012.
Also, Jordan Mein will look for consecutive victories, as well, when he takes on Alex Morono in Welterweight action in what is the featured bout of the prelims. Plus, Nina Ansarof looks to infiltrate the top of the pack in the women’s Strawweight division by collecting her third straight win against Randa Markos.
Kajan Johnson eyes his fifth win in a row when he takes on wrestling powerhouse Islam Makhachev, who has amassed an impressive 4-1 record so far inside the eight-sided cage.
Who Needs A Win Badly:
After enjoying success throughout the majority of his mixed martial arts (MMA) career, it seems Jose Aldo hasn’t been the same fighter after Conor McGregor knocked him out in 13 seconds at UFC 194, as he was 25-1 before then and hadn’t tasted defeat in a decade. Sure he defeated Frankie Edgar soon thereafter, but after that he coughed up the 145-pound strap to Max Holloway after “Blessed” knocked him out at UFC 212. Six months later, the Hawaiian-born fighter did the same thing at UFC 218. It’s the first time Aldo has suffered back-to-back defeats, and if he loses his third straight there is no telling if he will fight on to fulfill the final three fights of his UFC deal.
Interest Level: 8/10
This is a very good card on paper. Aside from the much-anticipated rematch between Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier, as well as Jose Aldo looking to get back into contention against the heavy-handed Stephens, we have a highly-intriguing women’s Strawweight fight on deck. Former division queen Joanna J?drzejczyk will face off against Tecia Torres. And it’s a must-win fight for Joanna, as well, as she will be going into the bout on the heels of back-to-back championship defeats to Rose Namajunas. “JJ” has said she will get another shot at Joanna with a win, but it doesn’t make much sense, honestly, given the outcome of the first two fights.
Still, she will have her work cut out for her if she wants to get there, as “Tiny Tornado” is just that, a smothering wrestler with a good-enough striking game to take care of herself. While Joanna will clearly having the advantage on the feet, should it go to the ground, Tecia could have a field day. Torres is looking to get back into the win column after having her three-fight winning streak snapped by Jessica Andrade. If she can get through “Joanna Champion,” don’t be surprised to see “JJ’s” move up a weight class in her next fight and Torres fighting for a title sooner, rather later.
Full UFC Fight Night 134 Fight Card:
UFC on FOX 30 Main Event:
155 lbs.: Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier
UFC on FOX 30 Main Card on FOX (8 p.m. ET):
145 lbs: Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens
115 lbs.: Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Tecia Torres
155 lbs.: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Alexander HernandezUFC on FOX 30 Prelims on FOX (6 p.m. ET):
170 lbs.: Jordan Mein vs. Alex Morono
145 lbs.: Austin Arnett vs. Hakeem Dawodu
155 lbs.: Kajan Johnson vs. Islam Makhachev
205 lbs.: Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs. Ion CutelabaUFC on FOX 30 Prelims on Fight Pass (4 p.m. ET):
155 lbs.: John Makdessi vs. Ross Pearson
125 lbs.: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Alexis Davis
125 lbs.: Matheus Nicolau vs. Dustin Ortiz
115 lbs.: Nina Ansaroff vs. Randa Markos
155 lbs.: Alvaro Herrera vs. Devin Powell
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