Finally, the best UFC fighters in the world will be competing on the biggest stage in the sport.
It seems like forever since fans have been able to see a marquee UFC event. After UFC 151 became the first canceled pay-per-view in league history, fans were left waiting another few weeks to see Jon Jones and others compete.
The good news is that the wait is finally over as UFC 152 makes its way into homes and bars around the country. Here is all the information you need to enjoy the highly anticipated event.
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
When: Saturday, Sept. 22
Start time: Facebook Prelims at 6:45 p.m. ET, FX Prelims at 8 p.m. ET, Main Event at 10 p.m. ET
Live Stream: UFC on Facebook, UFC 152 Main Event (for purchase)
Fight Card:
Main Card (PPV) | ||
---|---|---|
Light Heavyweight | Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort | |
Flyweight | Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson | |
Middleweight | Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann | |
Light Heavyweight | Matt Hamill vs. Roger Hollett | |
Featherweight | Cub Swanson vs. Charles Oliveira | |
Preliminary Card (FX) | ||
Light Heavyweight | Igor Pokrajac vs. Vinny Magalhaes | |
Lightweight | TJ Grant vs. Evan Dunham | |
Welterweight | Sean Pierson vs. Lance Benoist | |
Featherweight | Jimy Hettes vs. Marcus Brimage | |
Preliminary Card (Facebook) | ||
Welterweight | Seth Baczynski vs. Simeon Thoresen | |
Bantamweight | Mitch Gagnon vs. Walel Watson | |
Welterweight | Kyle Noke vs. Charlie Brenneman |
Matches to Watch
Brian Stann vs. Michael Bisping
While there is no title on the line, this might end up being one of the best fights of the night. Both competitors have been impressive since beginning their middleweight careers and are working their way up the rankings to get that title shot.
Bisping recently missed his chance when he lost by decision to Chael Sonnen. Similarly, Sonnen is the only person to defeat Stann in his last five fights.
Although Bisping might have better technique, Stann is more likely to go for the knockout. The former Marine has won nine of his 12 fights by knockout and would like to do it again in front of the international audience.
Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson
The battle for the first flyweight championship in UFC history ought to be a good one. Each competitor needed to win a semifinal match in order to have the right to compete for the title.
Johnson needed two matches and a favorable decision in order to get past Ian McCall, while Benavidez knocked out Yasuhiro Urushitani 11 seconds in the second round of their bout.
Neither fighter was able to get past Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight title, but they should both fare better in the lower weight class. Regardless of who wins, it will likely be an entertaining match that should go the distance.
It seems most UFC fans are on the “anti-Jon Jones bandwagon” after his decision not to fight Chael Sonnen forced Dana White to cancel UFC 151. Unfortunately, all of the fans in the world will not be able to stop the dominant run that Jones is on.
The New York native has gone through every contender in the light heavyweight division and defeated them easily. His only career loss was due to disqualification.
Belfort is a veteran fighter that has had a solid career, but it will take a superhuman effort for him to come out on top against the champion.
At least fans will able to see one of the best pound-for-pound fighters do what he does best.
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