The UFC returns to Sacramento, California, this Saturday with a decent offering on Fox. Paige VanZant takes on Michelle Waterson in a strong strawweight main event. The company has invested a great deal in promoting VanZant, and this matchup represents an escalation in competition that will determine whether the 22-year-old is ready to face the division’s elite.
The rest of the UFC on Fox 22 card features action matchups, if not much in the way of name value. In the co-main event, talented youngsters Sage Northcutt and Mickey Gall face off in a meeting of hyped prospects.
Sacramento’s Urijah Faber draws Brad Pickett in the former longtime WEC champion and four-time UFC title challenger’s retirement fight. The main card opener also features a barnburner between action fighters Alan Jouban and Mike Perry.
The same trend toward fun pairings dominates the undercard. Keep an eye on the Fox Sports 1 headliner between Henrique da Silva and Paul Craig, which should be a violent light heavyweight clash, and the Fight Pass main event featuring veteran bantamweights Eddie Wineland and Takeya Mizugaki.
There are a few prospects to watch as well. The touted Irene Aldana makes her debut against Leslie Smith on FS1, and welterweight up-and-comer Colby Covington takes on prospect-killer Bryan Barberena shortly afterward.
Let’s take a look at each matchup.