With UFC 200 a mere four weeks away, the MMA world is gearing up for what will be a historic card.
Top to bottom, this card provides UFC fans with the best the company has to offer.
Up and coming rookies, the revolutionary women’s bantamweight division, mouth-watering title fights and the return of ‘The Beast’.
Let’s have a brief look into some of the fights expected to draw the most response from The Roar community.
Sage Northcutt versus Enrique Marin
Sage Northcutt burst onto the UFC scene in October 2015, catching the eye of UFC president Dana White while competing in Legacy FC.
The youngest fighter on the UFC roster at just 20 years of age, Sage will have his work cut out for him on the grand stage of UFC 200.
A relative unknown, Enrique Marin will be looking to upset the hottest new prospect in the sport.
Look for Northcutt to work his way into the fight, maintain control in the clinch and shine the brightest at the end of three rounds.
Prediction: Sage Northcutt.
Cain Velasquez versus Travis Browne
For an MMA purist, it is hard to see a match of this calibre so far down the card.
Velasquez has been on a slide as of late, losing out his title contention to the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem.
For Browne, the sky is the limit. Many are predicting ‘Mr Rousey’ will be getting a shot at the heavyweight belt within the next 12 months.
Look for Velasquez to slow down the pace of this fight, letting Browne tire himself out with constant striking.
Browne will need to stay with the former heavyweight champion punch-for-punch if he is any chance of walking away with the win.
Prediction: Cain Velasquez.
Brock Lesnar versus ???
Perhaps the most unpredictable inclusions to the UFC 200 card, current WWE-contracted star Brock Lesnar will enter the octagon for the first time since December 2011.
As of writing, Lesnar’s opponent is yet to be announced. However, we can expect Dana White will want to make this fight one for the ages.
With several names being tossed around, expect Australia’s own Mark Hunt to get the nod to take on ‘The Beast Incarnate’.
Losing an MMA focus, do not expect Lesnar to be at his ferocious best reminiscent of 2008.
With his mind on the scripted form of competition, Lesnar will look to his hands rather than traditional grappling pedigree to solidify his return to MMA.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar to lose.
Jose Aldo versus Frankie Edgar – interim featherweight title
Ah, Conor McGregor. How you have changed the featherweight division for the worst.
While McGregor pretends he is a welterweight, the division’s finest in Aldo and Edgar will battle it out to see who is potentially the number one contender at 145 pounds (66 kilograms).
This match-up has classic written all over it. Aldo, out for revenge and hunting the title taken from him unceremoniously by the aforementioned McGregor.
On the other side of the cage, Edgar, in the form of his career and pushing for UFC legitimacy.
A technical contest, Aldo will look to get the job done quickly by knocking out Edgar before he can even get started.
Edgar will try and catch Aldo out with flash hands and a dabble of ground work.
Prediction: Jose Aldo.
Miesha Tate versus Amanda Nunes – women’s bantamweight title
‘Cupcake’ shocked the MMA world when she bested Holly Holm in March. The same women who shook the UFC to its core by dominating the untouchable Ronda Rousey in Melbourne.
Tate’s fight with Holm was a career changer and indeed the best performance of her blooming popularity.
But do not take anything away from Amanda Nunes, she has earnt her place in the co-main event.
The fourth-ranked bantamweight, recent victories over Sara McMann and Valentina Shevchenko has Nunes primed to dismantle Tate’s reign.
This fight will not stay standing for long with an anticipated grapple fest to ensue.
A women’s classic is certain nonetheless, with the victor set to be rewarded with a showdown with Holm.
Prediction: Miesha Tate.
Daniel Cormier versus Jon Jones – undisputed light heavyweight title
What a main event we have.
Two men who genuinely hate each other, the fight will go down in history as one the best.
Originally scheduled for UFC 197, an injury to champion Cormier and the removal of former headliner McGregor has the fight finally set down for July 10.
With both camps running their mouth for the better part of six months, an explosive start will be expected.
Cormier will use his heavy hands to end Jones quickly while ‘Bones’ will utilise a methodical pace to attempt to take back the title he never lost.
A slug fest at best, the light heavyweight division will finally crown their undisputed champion.
Prediction: Jon Jones.
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