On Friday, the UFC will return to Australia. The promotion will bring along UFC Fight Night 33, a Fox Sports 1 fight card that is headlined by heavyweights Antonio Silva and Mark Hunt.
While it’s not a card that many would label stacked, UFC Fight Night 33 will be a pivotal event for multiple noteworthy fighters. In addition to Silva and Hunt both looking to return to the win column, UFC Fight Night 33 will feature a few veterans who could be battling for their UFC careers.
There aren’t a ton of fighters in jeopardy of losing their UFC roster spots at UFC Fight Night 33, but the few who are in trouble are relatively big names. Here are the fighters who may need a win on Friday to remain with the world’s top MMA organization.
Mauricio Rua
He’s not so much in danger of being released, but Mauricio Rua‘s career may still depend on a win at UFC Fight Night 33.
Having lost three of his past four fights, Rua is taking a significant step down in competition to meet James Te Huna. If he can’t turn things around against Te Huna, a move to middleweight may be his only hope of remaining in title contention.
If “Shogun” decides against moving down in the event of a loss on Friday, UFC president Dana White has said he may talk retirement with the former light heavyweight champion.
Julie Kedzie
She’s one of the bigger names in women’s MMA, but Julie Kedzie needs a win to prove she’s still capable of competing with the best female bantamweights in the world.
Now 32 years old and without a win in more than two years, she appears to be fading. A bout with UFC newcomer Bethe Correia will give her a good opportunity to get back on track against an inexperienced adversary.
However, if Kedzie finds a way to lose to Correia on Friday, her run with the UFC could be cut surprisingly short.
Nick Ring
Although Nick Ring has not lost multiple fights in a row, he’s been slumping.
The Canadian has picked up one win over his past three outings, and that victory was a controversial split decision over Court McGee at UFC 149. Had the judges not ruled in Ring’s favor in that matchup, he might already have his bags packed.
Should he lose to Caio Magalhaes—a fighter with only one UFC win on his resume—at UFC Fight Night 33, there’s a strong possibility he’ll receive his walking papers.
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