MMA Fights To Look Forward To In May 2017

MMA Fights To Look Forward To In May 2017
April 30, 2017
By Ryan Porzl

Note that the time I release these, the full card of certain events have not been released so there may be other fights I would recommend but aren't announced until after I complete this. Also, card subject to change.



Stipe Miocic vs. Junior Dos Santos (UFC 211, 5/13/17)- For the UFC Heavyweight Championship and a rematch from UFC on FOX: Dos Santos vs. Miocic which took place on December 13, 2014. Though this is for the UFC Heavyweight Championship but there's much more on the line. For Miocic, this isn't just about retaining his title but also avenging a previous loss, a loss some thought he shouldn't have gotten. In the last fight, JDS was the winner but the decision was considered controversial as some fans, writers, and fighters thought Miocic should've won. Not only that but it's also the last time he's lost to date. For Dos Santos, a win over Miocic proves his previous win wasn't a fluke and it makes him UFC Heavyweight Champion once again which is something he hasn't been in over four years. Also, this could be realistically the last chance JDS gets at a UFC Heavyweight Championship shot. Though only 33 years old, JDS has had his share of wars and has seemingly declined since his third fight with Cain Velasquez at UFC 166 back in October 2013. Since then, he's only fought once a year, has had long lay offs, and seems to have declined. Since the failed title shot, JDS only fought three times in the last three years including taking a 14 month break before facing Miocic in December 2014, then took a year off where he lost to Overeem in December 2015, and then a few months later defeated Ben Rothwell in April 2016. This could be JDS' last hurrah so he needs to make the best of it.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Jessica Andrade (UFC 211, 5/13/17)- This is for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. Jedrzejczyk has been a wrecking ball at 13-0 MMA and 7-0 UFC with four successful title defenses. Jedrzejczyk is coming off a successful title defense against Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 205 on November 12, 2016. Andrade is 7-3 in the UFC and 16-5 in her MMA career while currently riding a three fight win streak with her recent win being against Angela Hill by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Bermundez vs. Korean Zombie back on February 4th. Her other wins are over former title challenger Jessica Penne by TKO at UFC 199 in June and Joanne Calderwood at UFC 203 by submission in September. Jedrzejczyk has been dominant at Women's Strawweight and unstoppable right now. Can Andrade score the big upset or will it be another day in the office for the champion?

Damian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal (UFC 211, 5/13/17)- This fight has potential to be a Welterweight Title eliminator as there's no obvious number one contenders though some would argue Maia has done enough to be the next contender. As is well documented, Maia has been red hot since dropping to Welterweight as he's currently 9-2 in the division with his only losses being a split decision to Jake Shields in October 2013 and a unanimous decision to Rory MacDonald in February 2014. Maia is currently riding a six fight win streak which includes wins over Neil Magny, Gunner Nelson, Matt Brown, and former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit. Masvidal is currently riding a three fight win streak with a unanimous decision win over Ross Pearson and TKO wins over Jake Ellenberger and Donald Cerrone. The winner of this fight would make a great argument that they should be next in line given their recent successes as well as win streaks and hit list.

Frankie Edgar vs. Yair Rodriguez (UFC 211, 5/13/17)- The former Lightweight Champion Edgar is currently on the comeback trail after his failed attempt at not only the UFC Interim Featherweight Title last July but also avenging a previous loss to Jose Aldo. Since then, Edgar has rebounded with a win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205 back in November by unanimous decision. A win will continue Edgar's quest for another opportunity at a title and while he's currently in no man's land due to his two losses to the now current champion Aldo, he could get right back in title contention should Aldo lose to Max Holloway next month. The former Ultimate Fighter winner Rodriguez is coming off the biggest win of his career to date when he defeated Hall of Famer BJ Penn by TKO back in January. Rodriguez hasn't lost in five years, is unbeaten in the UFC, and riding an eight fight winning streak. Outside of Penn, Rodriguez doesn't have any other big wins and Penn was passed his prime so he's taking a big step up in Edgar. However, a win over Edgar would be huge for him and would catapult him to the top of the rankings to the point where he could possibly face the winner of Aldo/Holloway.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier (UFC 211, 5/13/17)- Alverez is attempting to bounce back from his title loss to Conor McGregor back at UFC 205 this past November that snapped a three fight winning streak which included split decisions over Gilbert Melendez & Anthony Pettis as well as a TKO win over Rafael Dos Anjos which earned him the UFC Lightweight Championship. Poirier is coming off a win over Jim Miller at UFC 208 this past February. Since moving up to Lightweight back in 2015, Poirier has gone 5-1 with his only loss being a knockout loss at the hands of Michael Johnson back in September. A win over Alverez would be the biggest in Poirier's career and could position him into a potential title eliminator fight in his next outing. Regardless of who wins, both have the same goals which is not only to become UFC Lightweight Champion but both have losses to avenge against McGregor. A win puts one of them one step closer to potentially achieving both goals when or if McGregor comes back.

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Glover Teixeira (UFC Fight Night: Gustaffson vs. Teixeira, 5/28/17)- This is a fight between two former title contenders who not only want another title opportunity but this could be the last chance for both. Though he just turned 30 years old, Gustafsson already seems like the wheels are falling off him. Since his fight of the year candidate against Jon Jones in September 2013 where he came within a hair's breath of winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, Gustafsson has gone 2-2 with a bounce back win over Jimi Manuwa then a quick TKO loss to Anthony Johnson then a split decision loss to Daniel Cormier in another title fight, and now just beat Jan Blachowicz. Meanwhile, he hasn't been active very much as he's usually been fighting once a year over the past four years with 2015 being the only exception. Even worse is he's continually been struck with back injuries which are not only putting him out but could be career threatening. Teixeira is coming off a win over Jared Cannonier at UFC 208 back in February. At 37 years old with a 15 year career and 31 fights, Teixeira might not last much longer so he can't afford anymore setbacks. Teixeira already has suffered a setback in August when his three fight winning streak ended by Anthony Johnson by knockout in only 13 seconds which was a big setback. While there's nothing wrong with losing to Gustafsson, Teixeira is at that point of his career where it could be a sign his prime is over and will likely never get another title shot without some good luck and matchmaking.

Paul Daley vs. Rory MacDonald (Bellator 179, 5/19/17)- Daley is coming off a knockout of the year candidate against Brennan Ward this past January via flying knee which allowed him to bounce back from a loss to current Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima back in July which snapped a five fight winning streak. MacDonald is making his Bellator debut after having signed with the organization back in August. The former UFC Title contender is currently hoping to make a comeback in his new home as he stumbled out of the UFC on a two fight losing streak which included a failed Welterweight Championship opportunity against Robbie Lawler in July 2015 and then lost to future title contender Stephen Thompson back in June. MacDonald has a lot riding on this fight. Once considered a sure fire UFC Champion, MacDonald left the UFC without ever winning a title and on a losing streak. Though successful, MacDonald's UFC run could be considered disappointing given his potential and now he needs to show he's still got it and worth the hype. A win is big for both as it could make them number one contender. For Daley, it would allow him the chance to avenge his loss against Lima should Lima retain against Lorenz Larkin in June while MacDonald can get a chance to win a major championship.

Michael Page vs. Derek Anderson (Bellator 179, 5/19/17)- You can view this as one of those "fun fights" as both can bring the goods and deliver great performances as well as knockouts. Page is undefeated and coming off a win over Fernando Gonzalez by split decision at Bellator 165 this past November which snapped a five fight win streak for Gonzalez. Anderson is moving up to Welterweight after having fought in Lightweight and is coming off a loss to Derek Campos back in January at Bellator 170. With Page's contract expiring, a win is a must so he's in the driver's seat during negotiations when it comes to money or title shots. For Anderson, this would be a big win and catapult him into possible title eliminator bouts. While Page is the big favorite, anything can happen as he barely got by Gonzalez in November and Anderson debuted in Bellator with an upset win over former title contender and two time tournament finalist Patricky Freire and has another win over him as well as one over another former tournament runner up in Saad Awad.

Liam McGeary vs. Linton Vassell (Bellator 179, 5/19/17)- With the recent announcement that Phil Davis will defend the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship against newcomer Ryan Bader, this is a near guarantee to be a title eliminator with the winner facing the winner of the title fight. The former champion McGeary bounced back from his November title loss to Phil Davis by defeating Brett McDermott due to doctor's stoppage at Bellator 173 this past February. Vassell is currently riding a two fight win streak with wins over former champion Emanuel Newton & Francis Carmont. Vassell knows what it's like to challenge for the title as he took on Emanuel Newton in October 2014 and came close to winning before being forced to submit in the fifth. A win for both will likely guarantee a title shot. McGeary will also likely want to win because should he and Davis win their respective fights then we will likely see a rematch which allows McGeary to avenge the only loss of his career to date.

Angela Lee vs. Istela Nunes (ONE Championship, 5/26/17)- This is for the ONE Women's Strawweight Championship. Lee is coming off a successful title defense against Jenny Huang back in March which brought her undefeated record to 7-0. Nunes is undefeated at 6-0 and coming off a win over Mei Yamaguchi back in August at ONE: Heroes of the World which was her ONE debut. Like Lee's previous fight, this is a case of undefeated vs. undefeated with someone guaranteed to suffer their first loss. A win for Lee is another notch on her belt and another undefeated streak she's ended. A win for Nunes would get her name out there by beating someone as popular as Lee is to ONE fans and the ONE Strawweight Championship.