November 26, 2017
By Ryan Porzl
Note that at 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.
Joe Soto vs. Brett Johns (UFC The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale, 12/1/17)- Soto is riding a three fight win streak with his recent win being over Rani Yahya by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum on March 11th. Johns is undefeated with fourteen wins. His recent wins was over Albert Morales by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio on July 16th. After stumbling during his first three UFC fights and failing to win the UFC Bantamweight Championship on short notice, Soto is now batting .500 and slowly but surely moving his way back up into contention. A win over Johns would be great especially given Johns is undefeated and a former Titan FC & Cage Warriors Champion. Currently undefeated and 2-0 in UFC, Johns has made a successful transition to the UFC so far and looks to keep it that way. A win over Soto would be the biggest win of his career to date and would easily move him up the ladder in his next fight. A loss will sting and it would be a setback losing to his first "name" opponent since it would give the impression that he's got potential but not ready for prime time and it could be awhile before he gets another "name" opponent.
Max Holloway vs. Jose Aldo (UFC 218, 12/2/17)- For the UFC Featherweight Championship and a rematch from UFC 212 on June 3rd. Aldo is replacing Frankie Edgar. Holloway is riding an eleven fight win streak with his recent win being over Jose Aldo by TKO at UFC 212 on June 3rd. Aldo is coming off a loss to Max Holloway by TKO at UFC 212 on June 3rd. This is for the UFC Featherweight Championship so that makes this fight very important but there's much much more. For Holloway, he's finally become a UFC champion and the last thing he wants is to not only lose in his first title defense but to someone he just won the title from in his last fight even if it is against a legend like Aldo. For Aldo, he's got everything to win and lose. A win not only results in Aldo regaining the championship he had a stranglehold on for so long but he would make history becoming the first three time UFC Featherweight Champion. A loss would mark the first losing streak of his career and the second straight loss to Holloway which would put Aldo in no man's land and result in Aldo having to wait a long time for another shot at the title unless Holloway loses it sometime in the near future.
Alistair Overeem vs. Francis Ngannou (UFC 218, 12/2/17)- Overeem is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Fabricio Werdum by majority decision at UFC 213 on July 8th. Ngannou is riding a nine fight win streak with his recent win being over Andrei Arlovski by TKO at UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Pena on January 28th. This is a classic old guard vs. new blood type fight with Overeem seeking another win in the hopes of getting another title shot and possibly add another championship to his trophy case while Ngannou is one of UFC's top up and comers in the heavyweight division just coming off the biggest win of his career to date over the former heavyweight champion Arlovski. A win would be big for both as Overeem would be able to make a great argument that he should get the next crack at the championship as this would put him at three wins in a row while Ngannou would likely be guaranteed a title eliminator against Fabricio Werdum.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Justin Gaethje (UFC 218, 12/2/17)- Alvarez is winless in his last two fights with his recent fight being a no contest against Dustin Poirier at UFC 211 on May 13th. Gaethje is undefeated at eighteen wins. His recent win was over Michael Johnson by TKO at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale on July 7th. The former UFC and Bellator Lightweight Champion Alvarez has been in a slump in the past year including losing the lightweight title to Conor McGregor and the no contest. Alvarez needs a win to get back on track especially if he wants a chance at the lightweight title anytime soon. A loss would further send him down the ladder and the last thing he needs is to become a stepping stone for a new fighter. Gaethje made a successful debut and obviously hopes to continue that. While losing would be a setback, it wouldn't hurt as much because Alvarez is one of those fighters you shouldn't feel ashamed to lose to. However, a win would be so huge for him despite Alvarez's recent setbacks as it would be the biggest win of his career to date, shoot him right to top, and possibly get him a title eliminator fight next time depending on if Conor McGregor ends his current shenanigans and defends the title soon. This fight is also recommended as both fighters are capable of exciting fights and this should be a great one as it could be a late contender for fight of the year.
Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Dos Anjo, 12/16/17)- Lawler is coming off a win over Donald Cerrone by unanimous decision at UFC 214 on July 29th. Dos Anjos are riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Neil Nagny by submission at UFC 215 on September 9th. Again, another fight to recommend due to the fact it is capable of being another late contender for fight of the year. Not only would Lawler like to once again be the UFC Welterweight Champion but he would likely want nothing more than to beat current champion Tyron Woodley who took the title from him. The former lightweight champion Dos Anjos has been doing well at welterweight with wins over former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine and Neil Magny but a win over the former champion Lawler would put him in title contention and possibly in the mix.
Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm (UFC 219, 12/30/17)- Cyborg is unbeaten in nineteen fights (18 wins, 1 no contest) with her recent fight being a win over Tonya Evinger by TKO at UFC 214 on July 29th. Holm is coming off a win over Bethe Correia by KO at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia on June 17th which snapped a three fight losing streak. Despite Holm's recent slump, this could be a dream fight. Cyborg has been a wrecking ball for years and she obviously has no plans to stop now especially with the retirement of Ronda Rousey and her winning a UFC title as she now has the chance to shine and prove to the critics she is for real. Speaking of Rousey, Holm already slayed one dominant fighter in the Rowdy One and now has a chance to slay another. Holm has so much to gain with a win. After making a name for herself in MMA with her win over Rousey, Holm then went on a three fight losing streak before bouncing back. A win would prove the Rousey win wasn't some fifteen minutes of fame. A win over Cyborg would probably send bigger shockwaves and possibly solidify Holm as MMA's Greatest Female fighter having downed two of the most dominant names in the history of Women's MMA. By winning, she would also become the first woman to win a belt in two different weight classes. Despite the lack of depth, a loss would hurt Holm as she would be 1-4 in her last five and be pretty much in a crossroads as to where to go from there.
Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny (UFC 219, 12/30/17)- Condit is currently riding a two fight losing streak with his recent loss being to Damian Maia by submission at UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit on August 27, 2016. Magny is coming off a loss to Rafael Dos Anjos by submission at UFC 215 on September 9th. Seems like a lifetime ago when Condit was one of the best welterweights in the world. Now, Condit is riding a two fight losing streak and hasn't fought much as he has hinted in the past that his close and controversial loss to Robbie Lawler nearly two years ago took the wind out of his sails. If he can beat Magny and look great then he can possibly rebuild and get himself in title contention. If he loses then the question is what's left for Condit as it would mark the first time he went on a three fight losing streak and he would likely have to take a look at whether he should still fight or if he has it anymore. At one point, Magny was streaking and doing very well but has also hit hard time going 1-2 in his last three fights after previously being on a three fight win streak while going 10-1 between February 2014 - March 2016 with that one loss being to former title contender Damian Maia. A win over Condit would be good for him despite Condit's inactivity as it gets him back in the win column but a loss sets him back especially since despite Condit being a very good fighter, he still hasn't fought in a year and appears to be on the decline.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza (UFC 219, 12/30/17)- Nurmagomedov is undefeated with 24 wins with his recent win being over Michael Johnson by submission at UFC 205 on November 12, 2016. Barboza is riding a three fight win streak with his recent win being over Beneil Dariush by KO at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastlum on March 11th. This is a hard one to write because I can't say if the winner gets one step closer to a title shot giving McGregor being MIA though they at least can get an interim title shot which has more or less become the official title by default. However, it's still an important fight. Despite being undefeated, Nurmagomedov is still in a must win as he had that two year lay off from 2014-2016, hadn't fought in a year, and he lost his opportunity at the interim title due to a bad weight cut. Nurmagomedov has to make up for a lot of lost time while also proving that the bad weight cut was a one time only thing. Barboza has been streaking lately with wins over Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez. A win over Nurmagomedov would likely guarantee him an interim title fight next should McGregor continue his disappearing act.
Julia Budd vs. Arlene Blencowe (Bellator 189, 12/1/17)- For the Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship and a rematch from Bellator 162 from October 21, 2016. Budd is riding an eight fight win streak with her recent win being over Marloes Coenen by TKO at Bellator 174 on March 3rd. Blencowe is riding a three fight win streak with her recent win being over Sinead Kavanagh by split decision at Bellator 182 on August 25th. Budd is currently on the role of a lifetime as she's not only on a big win streak but she's just coming off becoming the inaugural Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion while retiring the legend Marloes Coenen. Obviously, Budd has no intentions of losing the title anytime soon. Budd doesn't want to lose as Blencowe could argue the previous loss was a fluke and Budd wouldn't want to lose after coming off the biggest fight of her career to date. Blencowe has much to gain as she can become the new Bellator Women's Featherweight Champion but could also avenge her previous loss against Budd while a loss could result in her waiting a long time for another title shot.
Rafael Lovato Jr. vs. Chris Honeycutt (Bellator 189, 12/1/17)- Lovato is undefeated with six wins with his recent win being over Mike Rhodes by submission at Bellator 181 on July 14th. Honeycutt is riding a four fight win streak with his recent win being over Kevin Casey by TKO at Bellator 182 on August 25th. This is a match between two great prospects seeking to climb the ladder and get into title contention. The fight is also interesting as both men come from grappling backgrounds with Lovato being a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappler who has won two dozen medals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions while Honeycutt is a wrestler who was a two time NCAA Div. I All-American. If it goes to the ground then this could be a fun chess battle but if does remain standing then both have proven they can strike and are capable of scoring knock outs. The winner of this fight gets one step closer to challenging for the championship and could possibly get a title eliminator fight next. It's even more interesting as Rafael Carvalho will defend against Alessio Sakara the same month so they obviously want to make a statement to whoever wins that championship fight.
Hisaki Kato vs. Chidi Njokuani (Bellator 189, 12/1/17)- Kato is riding a three fight win streak with his recent win being over Ralek Gracie by unanimous decision at Bellator 170 on January 21st. Njokuani is coming off a loss to Andrey Koreshkov by TKO at Bellator 182 on August 25th which snapped a nine fight unbeaten streak (8 wins, 1 no contest). Kato is riding a three fight win streak and has been moving up the ladder hoping for a Bellator title shot. Should Kato win that would put him at four in a row and give him a great argument for a title shot or a title eliminator fight while a loss knocks him down the ladder. Kato has other reasons to want to win as the Carvalho/Sakara title fight is happening this month and so is the Lovato/Honeycutt fight. That, along with Mousasi winning his debut fight makes for an exciting time for the middleweight division with so many vying for the next title shot. With Mousasi likely to get the next title shot, a win could get Kato the winner of Lovato/Honeycutt in a title eliminator. Njokuani is coming off a tough loss which snapped a big win streak and has had issues making welterweight. Now, he's trying to start fresh at middleweight and an impressive win would get him noticed for future opportunities including a fight between the Lovato/Honeycutt winner or maybe Alexander Shlemenko but a loss will put him in limbo.
Yoshitaka Naito vs. Alex Silva (ONE Championship: Warriors of the World, 12/9/17)- For the ONE Strawweight Championship. Naito is undefeated with twelve wins. His most recent win was over Joshua Pacio by submission at ONE Championship: State of Warriors on October 7, 2016. Silva is currently riding a five fight win streak with his most recent win being of Hayato Suzuki by submission at ONE Championship: Legends of the World on November 10th. An interesting fight as Naito is coming off a year long lay off while Silva is having a quick turnaround though his last fight only lasted 1:22. Definitely an interesting fight as Silva has mostly been fighting at flyweight but has competed in strawweight before. What's also interesting is Naito may be undefeated but Silva is coming off handing Hayato Suzuki his first loss so the question is can he hand another Japanese fighter his first loss while winning his first championship? How will Naito be not having fought in a year and he has had some tough fights most notably his recent against Pacio so can he do it again and find a way to score another big win?
Women's Strawweight Grand Prix (Rizin Final Round, 12/31/17)- This new year's eve will see the semi-finals and finals of the Rizin Women's Strawweight Grand Prix. The tournament started in October and now four remain. The semi-finals feature 5-0 Shootboxing Champion Rena Kubota taking on 7-4 former Ultimate Fighter contestant Irene Cabello and 10-2 Maria Oliveira taking on 9-2 DEEP Jewels Tournament Winner Kanna Askura. The Rena/Cabello fight is interesting as Rena is undefeated and would love to remain that way while Cabello just snapped a two fight losing streak so she doesn't want to go back to the losing column. Not to mention that she came up short to qualify for the Ultimate Fighter so she would love to make up for that by winning another tournament or Grand Prix. Each woman isn't known worldwide other than maybe Rena who has become one of Rizin's created stars (at least as far as MMA as she was successful in shootboxing before) so the winner of this will get their name out there, make history by becoming the first Rizin female Grand Prix winner and become the top woman in Rizin. Another thing is that Rena is the likely favorite and is undefeated. Will she finish this tournament undefeated or will a dark horse emerge and if Rena loses, then which woman will knock her off her perch?
Bantamweight Grand Prix (Rizin World Grand Prix Second Round & Final Round, 12/29/17 & 12/31/17)- For the third year in a row, Rizin will continue a tournament with the quarterfinals taking place on December 29th and concluding on New Year's Eve. This year, it's the bantamweights taking the stage. The quarterfinals feature 20-2 former UFC Flyweight Title contender and Shooto Champion Kyoji Horiguchi taking on undefeated 10-0 X-Force, Curitiba Top Fight, and Peru FC Featherweight Champion Gabriel Oliveira, 13-3 Kevin Petshi taking on 23-6-4 Current Pancrase Bantamweight Champion Shintaro Ishiwatari, 23-13-1 Current DEEP Bantamweight Champion Takafumi Otsuka taking on undefeated 10-0 Fair FC and Top Ten Bantamweight Champion Khalid Taha, and 13-5-1 former UFC Flyweight Title contender Ian McCall takes on 7-1 Manel Kape. Along with winning the GP, there's a lot to gain. Like the Women's GP, most of these participants aren't known worldwide but by winning this tournament, they get a chance to remedy that. Horiguchi is the favorite and just having returned to Japan after a somewhat successful run in the UFC, he has a lot on his shoulders as a win would mean a lot while a loss would be a massive blow especially given he is the favorite and he would love to return to Japan in style having previously left it as a former Shooto Champion who never lost his title. Fighters like Ishiwatari and Otsuka are already champions but they would solidify their status as Japan's top bantamweight by winning the GP. Once one of the top fighters in the world, McCall is making his Rizin debut and has a lot of pressure as he hasn't fought in nearly three years and has been forced to cancel five fights in that time. Can McCall make up for lost time and make the most of this opportunity? Will he even make it to the fight?
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