Saturday’s UFC 174 pay-per-view from Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada, is one of the most exciting shows of the year thus far, and it’s time to break down the card and share the latest predictions.
The main event will see UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson defending his title against No. 1 contender Ali Bagautinov, and the rest of the card is also filled with exciting matchups.
Here is all the vital viewing information, the full match card with predictions and a main event preview.
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada
When: Saturday, June 14 at 10 p.m. EDT
Watch: Pay-per-view (local service provider)
Live Stream: UFC.com
Main Event Preview and Prediction
When Demetrious Johnson squares off against Ali Bagautinov in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 174 PPV, mixed martial arts fans will be treated to one of the most anticipated flyweight matchups in history.
While both men are tough fighters, Jon Anik of Fox Sports 1 is reporting that the betting line is heavily in favor of Johnson:
For Johnson, he has successfully defended the title three times since winning the inaugural UFC flyweight championship against Joseph Benavidez in 2012. With five straight victories, it is clear that the fighter they call “Mighty Mouse” will be tough to beat.
Leading up to his main event bout against Bagautinov, Johnson explained to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports about how coach Matt Hume has taken his talents and helped hone them into the championship fighter we see today:
This is about my two-year anniversary of being a full-time fighter under Matt Hume. Before that, I was working under him just two days a week, and it wasn’t enough. My second fight with Ian McCall, that’s when I did it and I was strictly underneath Matt. Everything I did, Matt saw it and he was there every day.
Doing that, I started to believe more and more in my skillset and trust in my gifts and abilities to go out and finish guys.
As well as Johnson has fought, he will face his toughest test to date Saturday against Bagautinov.
The Russian fighter has won 11 straight fights and his first three with the UFC. After dominating John Lineker, Tim Elliott and Marcos Vinicius in the first bouts of his five-fight contract with the UFC, Bagautinov will look to make a huge statement by stopping Johnson’s reign.
With both men ready for the strain of a main event, the real winner Saturday will be the fans who pay to watch this marquee bout.
Predicted Finish: Johnson via Decision
*Stats via UFC.com.
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