The UFC takes its first trip to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this Saturday with a solid slate of fights on pay-per-view.
In the main event, Holly Holm attempts to capture her second UFC title in the inaugural women’s featherweight championship matchup against the Netherlands’ Germaine de Randamie. Whether the public will still be interested in Holm following two consecutive losses, especially against an unknown like de Randamie, is hard to say.
The fight, however, should be an entertaining matchup of skilled and talented strikers. That theme of entertainment runs through the entire card: Whatever it lacks in name value, it should make up for in pure fun.
The co-main event features the legendary Anderson Silva trying to get back on track against Derek Brunson in a meaningful matchup for both men. Middleweight contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza fights Tim Boetsch in what amounts to a stay-busy fight for the highly ranked Brazilian, and Glover Teixeira tries to stave off the surging Jared Cannonier in a fun light heavyweight matchup. Jim Miller and Dustin Poirier open the main card in style.
The undercard abounds with well-matched fights as well. Keep a particular eye on the lightweight scrap between veteran Nik Lentz and prospect Islam Makhachev and the welterweight fight featuring Randy Brown and Belal Muhammad.
Let’s take a look at each matchup.