A women’s featherweight title fight between Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Yana Kunitskaya isn’t exactly the main event UFC brass envisioned for UFC 222, but it’s the one that’s going to have to do.
When a lightweight title fight between Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar fell through because of an injury to the former, the UFC was left to put together a short-notice main event that would attract viewers.
Fortunately, Cyborg, as her nickname might suggest, is usually prepared to offer up violence when called upon, so viewers will get another title defense against former Invicta FC bantamweight champion Kunitskaya.
Edgar is still on the card despite Holloway’s absence. He’s one-half of the co-main event. Undefeated Brian Ortega will meet him in a high-profile featherweight bout that could determine who next challenges Holloway for his title.
Here’s a look at the entire card along with odds and predictions for the biggest fights.
Tickets: StubHub
Odds according to OddsShark.
Main Card (PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
- Cris Cyborg (-1600) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (+800), UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship
- Frankie Edgar (-175) vs. Brian Ortega (+145), featherweight
- Sean O’Malley (+115) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (-150), bantamweight
- Andrei Arlovski (+155) vs. Stefan Struve (-190), heavyweight
- Ketlen Vieira (-160) vs. Cat Zingano (+130), women’s bantamweight
Prelims (Fox Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET)
- Mackenzie Dern (-450) vs. Ashley Yoder (+325), women’s strawweight
- Beneil Dariush (-375) vs. Alexander Hernandez (+285), lightweight
- John Dodson (-170) vs. Pedro Munhoz (+140), bantamweight
- CB Dolloway (+120) vs. Hector Lombard (-150), middleweight
Prelims (Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. ET)
- Zak Ottow (-280) vs. Mike Pyle (+220), welterweight
- Bryan Caraway (+130) vs. Cody Stamann (-160), bantamweight
- Jordan Johnson (-305) vs. Adam Milstead (+235), light heavyweight
Cris Cyborg vs. Yana Kunitskaya
Kunitskaya is trying to sell this fight.
“I know that she’s strong, but I don’t think she has that strong of knockout power,” Kunitskaya said, per Mike Bohn and John Morgan of MMAjunkie. “She has no clean knockouts where girls go down, like Holly (Holm) have. But yes, she’s very tough. She finishes all the fights by technical knockout. I think I’m strong, too, strong enough to compare with her.”
To say Cyborg doesn’t have “that strong of knockout power” is akin to saying Tom Brady doesn’t throw “that good of a spiral.”
It’s difficult to find anyone who can challenge Cyborg in any real way. Her combination of power, speed and technical skill is too much for most fighters in the division to handle.
Holly Holm was the most recent to try, and she prevailed in surviving the fight, but she couldn’t topple the Brazilian.
Kunitskaya isn’t on Holm’s level, though. Holm is one of the best out-fighters in her division, with the ability to stick and move without engaging on her opponent’s terms. Kunitskaya is the kind of fighter who is going to look to close the distance and get Cyborg to the mat.
That’s generally a recipe to find some devastating strikes and see a shortened night.
Prediction: Cyborg via first-round TKO.
Frankie Edgar vs. Brian Ortega
The crown jewel of this fight card is the co-main event.
Edgar could have waited around for Holloway to heal up, but he chose to take a fight with Ortega, and the fans should be grateful—it is the most intriguing high-profile fight on the card, and it isn’t particularly close.
The former lightweight champion is one of the known quantities in the division and has fought for the featherweight crown twice, losing both times to Jose Aldo. The Brazilian is still the only man to beat him at 145 pounds.
Ortega is a strong threat to be the second man on that list, though. The 27-year-old is on a tear, with his 13-0 career record highlighted by five straight finishes.
T-City is an especially strong grappler, but he will come into the bout at a striking disadvantage with Edgar.
The question is when we will see a decline in Edgar’s athleticism. Ortega is by no means a dynamo, but he will aggressively pursue takedowns and isn’t afraid to exchange to set them up. If Edgar isn’t his usual hard-to-hold-down self, it could be bad news for him.
At 36, the time might be coming soon. Ortega has been steadily taking on increasingly difficult challenges. He’s up to the task and should be the No. 1 contender coming out of UFC 222.
Prediction: Ortega via third-round submission.
Ketlen Vieira vs. Cat Zingano
On a relatively light main card, the opening bout between Cat Zingano and Ketlen Vieira does at least provide some intrigue.
It features the return of a former women’s bantamweight challenger in Zingano and an undeniable fast-riser in the division in Vieira.
For Zingano, it’s a chance to return to relevance. She’s ranked No. 6 in the division, but that’s largely on reputation. She was obviously a top contender in the Ronda Rousey era, but the division is changing, and it will be her chance to prove she still belongs.
Still, despite the inactivity and injuries, Zingano believes she’s the best fighter in the division.
“I 100 percent think I’m the best 135-pound girl in the world,” Zingano said, per MMA Fighting‘s Eugene Leydon. “I always have. You know, I haven’t lost that, and I do realize that there are circumstances that go into proving it. The point is proving it is what matters.”
Vieira, at 26, represents the new guard. With a relentless approach and a strong grappling game, she’s shown a penchant for wearing down opponents until they lose a decision or fall into a submission.
If Zingano is to prove she is still one of the elite fighters in the division, it’s going to be a hard night.
It’s more likely Vieira picks up an important win in her quest to break into the top of the division.
Prediction: Vieira via decision.
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