Esther Lin, Vox Media
We are just six weeks away from one of the biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) cards in recent memory, as UFC 245 takes place on Dec. 14 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will feature an unprecedented three title fights.
In preparation for the massive end-of-year card, the promotion held UFC 245’s first official pre-fight press conference (replay HERE) earlier today (Fri., Nov. 1, 2019) in New York City. The on-stage gathering featured the biggest names on the card and some intense staredowns that are sure to get the blood boiling ahead of next month’s Octagon action.
The UFC 245 PPV card will culminate with a grudge match between current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and hard-nosed contender Colby Covington. The two welterweights absolutely hate one another and it truly showed during their staredown as both men were warned by UFC president Dana White to keep their hands to themselves (shown above courtesy of UFC).
Leading into the main event is a co-headliner bout featuring reigning UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway and streaking Australian contender Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway hasn’t lost a bout at 145 pound since Conor McGregor beat him via decision back in 2013. Volkanovski will look to use his high motor and grueling grappling to outpace the champion and walk out of Vegas with the upset. Check out their intense staredown below:
Island battle!
Hawaii’s @BlessedMMA faces off against Australia’s @AlexVolkanovski #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/CJgr3ENX7J
— UFC (@ufc) November 1, 2019
Last but not least is a women’s bantamweight title fight between current champion Amanda Nunes, who also serves as UFC’s women’s featherweight titleholder, and veteran striker Germaine de Randamie. The two bantamweights met once before all the way back at UFC Fight Night 31 with “Lioness” winning by way of first-round TKO. With the rematch just weeks away, Nunes and GDR squared off for their first official UFC 245 staredown.
THE REMATCH!
1??3??5?? belt is on the line as @Amanda_Leoa meets @IronLadyMMA once again! #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/NdGdF6avpS
— UFC (@ufc) November 1, 2019
For complete UFC 245 fight card news click here.