The UFC returns to Los Angeles with the UFC 199 pay-per-view card on Saturday night, June 4. This is an excellent event from top to bottom and is stacked with fun, well-matched fights.
In the main event, longtime middleweight contender Michael Bisping finally gets a title shot as he replaces the injured Chris Weidman against champion Luke Rockhold. Bisping fell to Rockhold only 18 months ago, but he’s the best option on short notice. This feels something like a lifetime achievement award for the 10-year UFC veteran, who has done so much for the promotion over the years.
In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz takes on Urijah Faber as the two men complete the trilogy they began more than nine years ago. This is a necessary bout and one with real narrative interest, even if it feels like something of a gimme fight for Cruz.
The rest of the card carries real interest. Rising featherweight Max Holloway takes on Ricardo Lamas in a great action fight, and Dustin Poirier and Bobby Green open the main card in the odds-on favorite for Fight of the Night honors.
The prelims are likewise compelling. Youthful welterweights Tom Breese and Sean Strickland headline the Fight Pass portion of the event, while Clay Guida attempts to hold the gate against the rising Brian Ortega on Fox Sports 1. The lightweight scrap between Beneil Dariush and James Vick should be a barnburner as well.
From top to bottom, this is a fantastic event. Let’s take a look at each fight.