Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to invade Prudential Center TODAY (Sat., Aug. 3, 2019) to stage UFC on ESPN 5 in Newark, N.J., featuring a Welterweight bout between former interim title holder, Colby Covington, and ex-division king, Robbie Lawler. In the co-main event, two long-time UFC veterans will face off as Clay Guida and Jim Miller collide in Lightweight action.
What’s Hot:
The tension between Colby Covington and Robbie Lawler is very real, though you will only get one side of it, as “Chaos” has done his part to play up the beef between them. Indeed, Colby has gone on record saying that Lawler dropped American Top Team (ATT) like a bad habit after his feelings were hurt by a photo of Tyron Woodley being hung up at the gym after his knockout win over “Ruthless.”
As the self-proclaimed captain of ATT, Covington says he must now smash Lawler. For his part, Lawler has remained cool as a cucumber, as always, refusing to engage in trash talk. And that’s perfectly fine, as Lawler’s fights simply sell themselves — he doesn’t have to partake in the extracurricular activities. Once the cage door closes, though, Lawler is all business, as his fights have entertained combat fans for years thanks to his aggressive fight style and concussive knockout power.
On the flip side, whether you love him or hate him, Covington brings it, too. The ex-interim title holder is on quite a run, winning six in a row including dominant wins over Rafael dos Anjos and Demian Maia. From there, though, his level of competition isn’t exactly the best. Potential title fights against Kamaru Usman and Tyron Woodley went up in smoke, so we have been unable to see just how he does against the cream of the crop. Lawler is without a doubt one of his stiffest tests to date, and if Covington can get past him, he will be next up for a shot at Usman’s world title. Just make sure it’s in writing.
Jim Miller will take part in fight No. 33 inside the Octagon when he faces fellow long-time veteran, Clay Guida, in a 155-pound showdown. For his part, Guida has competed a whopping 27 times, so when we call them UFC veterans, they’ve earned that title.
It’s amazing to think that these two Energizer bunnies have yet to face one another inside the Octagon. That said, it’s better late than never. Both Miller and Guida have gas tanks for days so we can expect a high-paced match up. While neither of them have any plans to slow down anytime soon, a win over the other would be nice to have on their resume before it’s all said and done. It’s a tough fight to call as they have similar styles. Sure, this fight would’ve been a lot better early on in their respective careers, but at least we’re finally getting it.
What’s Not:
For an ESPN-televised card, the event is rather lackluster to be honest. Sure, the main event will be fire, and the co-main should be intriguing, but rest of the card just feels flat. Darko Stoscic (1-1 UFC) versus Kennedy Nzechukwu (0-1 UFC) made the main card, which his rather puzzling.
Trevin Giles, Gerald Meerschaert, Scott Hotlzman, and Dong Hyun Ma also earned main card slots and they are all coming off losses. If you ask me, UFC could’ve tried a bit harder to load up the card altogether. If that’s not possible, then stop staging events every weekend.
Original Card Vs. Actual Card:
A fight between Volkan Oezdemir and Ilir Latifi was set to co-headline this event, but was ultimately yanked after Volkan’s visa issues forced the promotion to re-schedule the fight to go down one week later at UFC Fight Night 156 in Uruguay.
Injuries:
None reported!
How The “Prelims” Look:
Mickey Gall will make his UFC return in what will be a homecoming fight for the New Jersey native. In his way is Salim Touahri, who has dropped his first two fights inside the Octagon. Gall has shown signs of potential thus far in his young UFC career, but he came up short in his biggest test to date against Diego Sanchez at UFC 235. A win here puts him back in the win column and gives him the confidence to string together a good streak to stay relevant.
Also, Antonina Shevchenko — sister of UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko – will look to bounce back after suffering the first loss of her mixed martial arts (MMA) career last April. While I’m sure Antonina is used to being in the shadow of her sister, and is proud of her success, she’d love nothing more than to stake her own claim in UFC, and a win over Lucie Pudilova – loser of two straight — will get her back on track.
Plus, Claudio Silva will look to earn his fourteenth straight win — five inside the Octagon — when he faces UFC newcomer, Cole Williams. Winner of nine straight, Williams has the chance to make a huge splash in his UFC debut.
To see who else is rounding out the undercard action, click here and here.
New Blood:
Williams – winner of nine in a row on the regional circuit – will get his first taste of the big leagues when he takes on the aforementioned Silva. It’s a tough first match up for him, but when UFC comes knocking, you better answer the door. Williams is the typical well-rounded fighter who isn’t particular strong in one area. That said, he can get it done wherever the fight goes.
Also making her UFC debut is Hannah Goldy, the undefeated (2-0) combatant who earned a contract by winning on Dana White’s Tuesday Night “Contender Series” (DWTNCS). She will face another undefeated newcomer in Miranda Granger, who sports a perfect (4-0) record so far in her young MMA career. Granger has finished all four of her fights, while Goldy has seen all of hers go to decision. While they may have a drastic contrast of styles, it should make an interesting showdown, as neither lady wants to see their “O” go.
Who Needs A Win Badly:
Gerald Meerschaert has been fighting for UFC for three years now, but he has yet to gain enough traction to earn a big following from fans or the promotion that can afford him a guaranteed spot on the roster should he suffer three straight losses. And that’s the danger he’s facing Saturday, as he is the owner of two straight defeats, one of them coming against top contender, Jack Hermansson. Of his three losses with UFC, one of them was to former UFC Light Heavyweight title contender, Thiago Santos. Meerschaert has a tough match up against Trevin Giles, who will be eager to once against taste victory after suffering the first loss of his professional career in his last outing against Zak Cummings.
Interest Level: 4.5 of 10
Yes, I am being very hard on this card, as I’d expect a bit more for man ESPN-televised event. One thrilling fight does not make a card, and UFC matchmakers dropped the ball when putting this card together. Just ask Brendan Schaub. I get that they all can’t be grand slams, but show fight fans some effort, please.
I will say, the fact that Oezdemir and Latifi was yanked hurt it a bit, so we can’t blame UFC for that one. Miller vs. Guida will likely deliver, but the rest of the card doesn’t scream “watch me,” especially with an early start time. That said, once the dust settles, we will have a clearer picture when it comes to the title race at 170 pounds, as Covington can very well punch his ticket to the big dance with a win. If he loses, then that title shot may just go to his friend, Jorge Masvidal, as Lawler is still a couple of wins away from getting back to a title fight.
Full UFC On ESPN 5 Fight Card:
UFC on ESPN 5 Main Event:
170 lbs.: Colby Covington vs. Robbie Lawler
UFC on ESPN 5 Main Card (3 p.m. ET):
155 lbs.: Jim Miller vs. Clay Guida
155 lbs.: Joaquim Silva vs. Nasrat Haqparast
185 lbs.: Trevin Giles vs. Gerald Meerschaert
155 lbs.: Scott Holtzman vs. Dong Hyun Ma
205 lbs.: Darko Stosic vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
UFC on ESPN 5 Prelims Card (12 p.m. ET):
170 lbs.: Mickey Gall vs. Saleem Touahri
125 lbs.: Antonina Shevchenko vs. Lucie Pudilova
125 lbs.: Jordan Espinosa vs. Matt Schnell
125 lbs.: Lauren Murphy vs. Mara Romero Borella
170 lbs.: Claudio Silva vs. Cole Williams
125 lbs.: Hannah Goldy vs. Miranda Granger
*Fight card, bout order and the amount of matches subject to change.
For more upcoming UFC events click here.