Becoming a UFC champion is hard. Even getting into the UFC is hard, but to beat up enough of the toughest people on Earth to get to the top of the mountain is on a whole other level.
The years in the gym, toiling in obscurity and putting in the work no…
Becoming a UFC champion is hard. Even getting into the UFC is hard, but to beat up enough of the toughest people on Earth to get to the top of the mountain is on a whole other level.
The years in the gym, toiling in obscurity and putting in the work nobody sees just to have 25 minutes in the cage and 12-pounds of gold around your waist—it’s not for everyone.
Almost as challenging as making it to the top of the heap? Predicting who might be there a year from now.
MMA is a fast-moving sport, where opportunities present themselves out of nowhere and a pivot or slip in the wrong direction can undo a life’s work.
Short-notice replacements can wreak havoc on contenders, and champions can be injured or simply abstain from fighting for a while; before you know it, someone you had never heard of last year is a world champion.
With that said, that’s what this exercise is all about: trying to predict who will hold UFC gold a year down the line.
UFC 223, the biggest MMA event of the spring, is approaching quickly—and it’s worth getting excited about.
While many recent UFC pay-per-views have relied heavily on the novelty of seeing up-and-comers, UFC 223 is rife with established, elite-lev…
UFC 223, the biggest MMA event of the spring, is approaching quickly—and it’s worth getting excited about.
While many recent UFC pay-per-views have relied heavily on the novelty of seeing up-and-comers, UFC 223 is rife with established, elite-level talent.
There is a lot to sift through with this card, but what is the best fight? Read on to find out in Bleacher Report’s early preview of UFC 223.
The Story Entering UFC 223
Conor McGregor hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since 2016, but his shadow still looms large over the UFC.
That has hit the promotion’s most talent-rich weight class, the lightweight division, particularly hard as it has become a battleground for the bickering between its champion and company brass. The 155-pound titleholder will not take a dollar less than he thinks he deserves, while the UFC is trying to lower his asking price by showing the promotion is just fine without him.
The men caught in the middle of, and harmed the most by, this situation are Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In another time, Ferguson and Nurmagomedov would already be regarded as all-time-great-caliber fighters. Ferguson’s in-cage creativity, knack for scoring finishes and inhuman cardio have already cemented his spot above the crowded lightweight pack.
Nurmagomedov, at the same time, has cultivated a persona as one of the most terrifying figures in MMA. Raised in war-torn Dagestan and groomed from a young age to be Russia’s finest combat athlete, he has lived up to his pedigree in the Octagon by ferociously mauling all comers.
Having two elite mixed martial artists come together to settle a yearslong beef is interesting under almost any circumstances. Still, it’s hard to look over the UFC 223 card and not feel like there’s a McGregor-shaped hole.
The Main Event: Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
As mentioned, in a vacuum, Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is an amazing fight and remains the biggest fight on this card despite any outside issues. In fact, a strong case can be made it’s the most compelling bout the UFC can make.
Both men’s resumes are beyond dispute, with Ferguson on a 10-fight UFC winning streak (with seven finishes) and Nurmagomedov sporting a perfect 25-0 record. Their combined trophy mantels include a slew of recognizable names, including Rafael dos Anjos, Edson Barboza, Josh Thomson, Michael Johnson and Kevin Lee, and neither has had much trouble amassing those victories.
The two have risen to the top of the pack side by side, but each time it seemed their paths would cross, one thing or another (or yet another) would get in the way. Despite the potential for fan exhaustion with the pairing, enthusiasm has remained steadily high since they were first linked in 2015, and rightly so. It’s impossible to guess how it will pan out.
Will Ferguson wilt when faced with Nurmagomedov’s savage wrestling attack? Will Nurmagomedov crumble under Ferguson’s relentless pace? The world is dying to know.
The Co-Main Event: Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 2
Joanna Jedrzejczyk wasn’t just a UFC champion. That 12-pound belt was a part of her identity.
Like a duck to water, Jedrzejczyk took to the life of a combat sports celebrity. She actively sought the spotlight and made the most of her time on camera in a way few others have. She swaggered on social media with impunity. She talked the talk on the microphone and walked the walk on the canvas.
And then she lost to Rose Namajunas at UFC 217, getting rocked early in the first round and finished shortly thereafter. It was a stunning upset that raised one simple question: what the heck happened?
Did Jedrzejczyk lose her edge after changing gyms? Had the wear and tear from her lengthy combat sports career added up? Is the cut to 115 pounds too difficult for her at 30? Was November 4, 2017, just an off day? Or had the talented Namajunas simply turned a corner and become a championship-level competitor?
Those questions will be answered at UFC 223, as the two are set to face off yet again.
From a pure X’s and O’s standpoint, there is plenty of reason to doubt how Namajunas holds up against Jedrzejczyk.
Namajunas isn’t known for her power-punching game and, in fact, has historically struggled against gifted strikers. Unless she can score another quick knockout or quietly has a better-than-advertised set of wrestling skills, everything on paper suggests Jedrzejczyk will once again be able to demand people call her Joanna Champion.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore how their UFC 217 bout went when it comes to analyzing this one. That mystery, coupled with the guaranteed high-level action, makes this the best fight on the card—and arguably the best on the entire UFC calendar.
The Best of the Rest
Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis: Anthony Pettis is still in a tailspin three years removed from losing the UFC lightweight title, but the promotion isn’t giving him much help in terms of getting back on track. He faces a tricky Michael Chiesa at UFC 223, and Chiesa will likely give him issues in all areas of the cage and thus send him deeper into the loss column.
Al Iaquinta vs. Paul Felder: Al Iaquinta seems to have buried the hatchet with UFC brass and still seems to be a bona fide top-10 lightweight. He will have the chance to cement his place among the division’s elite with a bout against the surging Paul Felder.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Felice Herrig:Strawweight veteran Felice Herrig has found new life in her career over the past year and has a massive opportunity at UFC 223. Set to face Karolina Kowalkiewicz (the last woman to beat Namajunas), she has the chance to force her way into the title picture and get the shot at the belt that has long eluded her.
Ray Borg vs. Brandon Moreno: Brandon Moreno and Ray Borg are incredibly compelling flyweight talents. Unfortunately, they are also both coming off losses. One of them needs to win at UFC 223 in order to maintain his legitimacy as a top-end contender in the division.
Evan Dunham vs. Mairbek Taisumov: Mairbek Taisumov has quietly been one of the lightweight division’s best fighters in recent years, consistently thrashing opponents in the UFC’s smaller European shows. He gets a big step up in both visibility and opposition at UFC 223, as he is set to fight lightweight veteran Evan Dunham.
The development of the UFC 222 fight card has been tumultuous, to say the least, but the card will go off Saturday night with Cris “Cyborg” Justino taking on Yana Kunitskaya for the UFC women’s featherweight championship serving as the main event at T-…
The development of the UFC 222 fight card has been tumultuous, to say the least, but the card will go off Saturday night with Cris “Cyborg” Justino taking on Yana Kunitskaya for the UFC women’s featherweight championship serving as the main event at T-Moble Arena in Las Vegas.
While Cyborg’s brand of violence is at least an awe-inspiring display, it isn’t what the main event was supposed to be.
A featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar was scrapped because of an injury to the division’s champion, but Edgar will still fight on the card. He takes on rising featherweight Brian Ortega.
It isn’t a star-studded card, but there are some interesting scraps.
Here’s a look at all the matchups and some of the interesting storylines to keep an eye on.
Main Card (PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
Cris Cyborg (-1400) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (+750)—women’s featherweight championship
Frankie Edgar (-160) vs. Brian Ortega (+130)—featherweight
Sean O’Malley (-135) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (+105)—bantamweight
The name on the marquee might be Cyborg, but the real main event is Edgar vs. Ortega.
It’s a bout that combines two evenly matched opponents and real stakes on a card that doesn’t have any other fights that can say that. The winner of this fight is the clear-cut No. 1 contender for Holloway when he comes back from injury, barring a surprising return to the division from Conor McGregor.
Edgar is the consummate contender. He’s a former lightweight champion and has long ruled as one of the top featherweights now with a 7-2 record in the division. With both of those losses coming against Jose Aldo, there’s a reason he was supposed to be fighting for a title in this event.
Standing across from him is Ortega, whose stock has been rapidly rising. He doesn’t have the name recognition of Edgar, but he’s in a position to use this opportunity to become a high-profile fighter in the division.
His perfect record is underscored by a strong submission game, and he’ll be looking to execute a game plan that allows him to show that off.
With a member of the old guard set to take on a young and exciting name in the division, this will be a great test to see who deserves the next title shot in the division.
Prediction: Ortega via third-round submission
Is Sean O’Malley a Star in the Making?
The UFC is in need of stars, and Sean O’Malley just might fit the bill. The 23-year-old has an exciting style, a unique look and the record to warrant some attention.
UFC President Dana White has already taken a strong interest in marketing him:
As the highlights suggest, O’Malley is a creative and dynamic striker. As long as he’s able to step up in competition, the UFC could have a marketable fighter on the come up.
The only problem is we’ve seen this story before. All too often, the “next big thing” ends up taking an early loss when exposed to the wrong opponent too early.
Looking at the opening Vegas odds on the fight, there’s a chance that happens here. Andre Soukhamthath actually opened as the slight betting favorite (-159) and matches up well as a counter-striker to O’Malley’s ultra-aggressive style.
If O’Malley is able to get the better of The Asian Sensation in the exchanges and finish with a highlight-reel knockout, the hype train will have officially left the station.
If Soukhamthath is able to counter him at every turn and hand him a loss, he’ll just be the next overhyped pet project for the organization.
Prediction: O’Malley via second-round TKO
Is Stefan Struve or Andrei Arlovski Still Relevant?
It’s hard to tell how we should feel about this fight.
Sad because these are two fighters who shouldn’t be in the top 15 of a division?
Excited because it’s a fight between two top-15 fighters in a division?
Intrigued because the 7-foot Stefan Struve remains one of the most confusing fighters of all time?
The heavyweight division has long been one stuck in the past in terms of the contenders, but there is movement. Stipe Miocic has established himself as the champion, Francis Ngannou and Curtis Blaydes have emerged as new contenders and names like Alexander Volkov and Marcin Tybura are on the fringe of the top 10.
So where does that leave a fighter like Andrei Arlovski, who is now 39?
“I’m still here, and that shows that I’m professional about what I’m doing,” he said, per Daniel Austin of the Calgary Sun. “I love to train, I love to fight, I have great people around me. For heavyweights, prime time is 35-plus, you look at George Foreman or Randy Couture.”
The Belarusian is 1-5 in his last six fights. Struve is coming off a loss to Volkov.
The winner of this can cling to some relevancy, but the loser is going to have an uphill climb to gain any momentum.
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…
A women’s featherweight title fight between Cris “Cyborg” Justino andYana 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 andFrankie Edgarfell 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.
Frankie Edgar (-175) vs. Brian Ortega (+145), featherweight
SeanO’Malley(+115) vs. AndreSoukhamthath(-150), bantamweight
Andrei Arlovski (+155) vs. StefanStruve(-190), heavyweight
KetlenVieira(-160) vs. CatZingano(+130), women’s bantamweight
Prelims (Fox Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET)
MackenzieDern(-450) vs. AshleyYoder(+325), women’sstrawweight
BeneilDariush(-375) vs. Alexander Hernandez (+285), lightweight
John Dodson (-170) vs. PedroMunhoz(+140), bantamweight
CBDolloway(+120) vs. Hector Lombard (-150), middleweight
Prelims (Fight Pass at 6:30 p.m. ET)
ZakOttow(-280) vs. Mike Pyle (+220), welterweight
Bryan Caraway (+130) vs. CodyStamann(-160), bantamweight
Jordan Johnson (-305) vs. AdamMilstead(+235), light heavyweight
Cris Cyborg vs.YanaKunitskaya
Kunitskayais trying to sell this fight.
“I know that she’s strong, but I don’t think she has that strong of knockout power,”Kunitskayasaid, perMikeBohnand John MorganofMMAjunkie. “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.
HollyHolmwas the most recent to try, and she prevailed in surviving the fight, but she couldn’t topple the Brazilian.
Kunitskayaisn’t on Holm’s level, though.Holmis one of the best out-fighters in her division, with the ability to stick and move without engaging on her opponent’s terms.Kunitskayais 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 stronggrappler, 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 pursuetakedownsand 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.
KetlenVieiravs. CatZingano
On a relatively light main card, the opening bout between CatZinganoandKetlenVieiradoes at least provide some intrigue.
It features the return of a former women’s bantamweight challenger inZinganoand an undeniable fast-riser in the division inVieira.
ForZingano, 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 RondaRouseyera, but the division is changing, and it will be her chance to prove she still belongs.
Still, despite the inactivity and injuries,Zinganobelieves she’s the best fighter in the division.
“I 100 percent think I’m the best 135-pound girl in the world,”Zinganosaid, 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.
IfZinganois to prove she is still one of the elite fighters in the division, it’s going to be a hard night.
It’s more likelyVieirapicks up an important win in her quest to break into the top of the division.
A women’s featherweight title fight between Cris “Cyborg” Justino and Yana Kunitskaya isn’t exactly the main event that UFC brass envisioned for UFC 222, but it’s the one that’s going to have to do.
When a title fight between Max Holloway and Fra…
A women’s featherweight title fight between Cris “Cyborg” Justino and YanaKunitskaya isn’t exactly the main event that UFC brass envisioned for UFC 222, but it’s the one that’s going to have to do.
When a title fight between Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar fell through due to an injury to Holloway, 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 more violence when called upon, so viewers will get another title defense against Invicta FC featherweight champion Kunitskaya.
Edgar is still on the card despite the loss of Holloway. 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.
Cris Cyborg (-1600) vs. YanaKunitskaya (+800) – 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
KetlenVieira (-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
BeneilDariush (-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. YanaKunitskaya
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 fighters that 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 the same level of Holm, 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.
Edgar is one of the known quantities in the division. The former lightweight champion has fought for the featherweight crown twice and lost 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, though he will come into the bout at a striking disadvantage with Edgar.
The question is when we’ll 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 years old, 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
KetlenVieira vs. Cat Zingano
On a relatively light main card, the opening bout featuring Cat Zingano and KetlenVieira 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 at this point. She was obviously a top contender in the Ronda Rousey era of the division, but it’s a weight class that is changing, and it’ll be her chance to prove she still belongs.
Still, despite the inactivity and injuries, Zingano believes she’s still the best fighter in the division.
“I 100 percent think I’m the best 135-pound girl in the world, I always have,”Zingano said, per MMA Fighting‘s Eugene Leydon. “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 years old, represents the new guard. With a relentless approach and a strong grappling game, she’s shown a penchant for wearing opponents down until they lose a decision or fall into a submission.
If Zingano is to prove that she is still really one of the elite fighters in the division, it’s going to be a hard night.
It’s more likely that Vieira picks up an important win in her quest to break into the top of the division.
Cris “Cyborg” Justino (19-1, 1 no-contest) has had little competition since joining the UFC nearly two years ago, and the betting odds in her bouts certainly back that up. But Cyborg is listed as the biggest favorite in her career within the organizati…
Cris “Cyborg” Justino (19-1, 1 no-contest) has had little competition since joining the UFC nearly two years ago, and the betting odds in her bouts certainly back that up. But Cyborg is listed as the biggest favorite in her career within the organization this Saturday at UFC 222, taking on promotional newcomer Yana Kunitskaya (10-3, 1 NC) with her women’s featherweight championship on the line in the main event.
Cyborg is listed as a -1600 favorite (bet $1,600 to win $100) at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark, with the takeback on the underdog Kunitskaya coming in at a whopping +800 (bet $100 to win $800).
Kunitskaya won the vacant Invicta FC bantamweight championship after former champ Tonya Evinger moved up to the UFC and challenged Cyborg for the vacant featherweight title, falling by third-round TKO at UFC 214 on July 29. Evinger previously secured a second-round rear-naked choke submission of Kunitskaya at Invicta FC 22 a little less than a year ago to win the bantamweight title.
Coming off a dominant five-round unanimous-decision victory against former women’s bantamweight champ Holly Holm at UFC 219 on December 30, Cyborg will be looking to improve her perfect record in the UFC to 5-0. Her first two fights in the organization took place at a catchweight of 140 pounds before the 145-pound division was formed.
Kunitskaya has fought at featherweight before, scoring a first-round TKO of Cindy Dandois more than seven years ago. She has since had a child and fought primarily at bantamweight (135 pounds), with her last three bouts taking place in Invicta FC.
The co-main event at UFC 222 will be a men’s featherweight matchup between former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar (22-5-1) and rising unbeaten prospect Brian Ortega (13-0, 1 NC). Edgar was originally scheduled to face Max Holloway for the title in the main event at UFC 222, but the champ had to withdraw because of a leg injury.
Edgar is a -175 favorite after winning seven of his past eight fights, with the loss coming versus former 145-pound champ Jose Aldo via unanimous decision at UFC 200 on July 9. Since then, he has defeated Jeremy Stephens (UD) and Yair Rodriguez (second-round TKO).
Meanwhile, Ortega is a +145 underdog at online sports betting sites and has seen a gradual step up in foes since joining the UFC in 2014. He is coming off the biggest win of his career at UFC Fight Night 123 on December 9, submitting Cub Swanson in the second round. That victory earned Ortega his second straight Fight of the Night bonus along with Performance of the Night.
For more odds info, picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes, or check it out at OddsShark.libsyn.com.
UFC 223, the biggest