February 25, 2018
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.
Frankie Edgar vs. Brian Ortega (UFC 222, 3/3/18)- Ortega is replacing Max Hollaway. Edgar is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Yair Rodriguez by TKO at UFC 213 on May 13th. Ortega is undefeated in fourteen fights (13 wins, 1 no contest) with his recent fight was a win over Cub Swanson by submission at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega on December 9th. The fact that this was supposed to be a title fight pretty much now makes it a title eliminator which makes it interesting. Having fought his way back to title contention, Edgar can't afford a loss or he'll lose his title shot before he gets to capitalize on it. For Ortega, he's got nothing to lose outside of his first loss but losing to a fighter like Edgar is nothing to feel bad about. A win would be the biggest of his career to date by far and it would unquestionably make him the new number one contender upon Hollaway's recovery. A loss would also be devastating for The Answer given he's 36 years old which is not only getting up there in age but it can be considered "old" for a featherweight so who knows how many more opportunities he'll have. The fight should also be a great as Edgar is someone who brings the excitement while Ortega will give everything for this excellent opportunity.
Cat Zingano vs. Ketlen Vieira (UFC 222, 3/3/18)- Zingano is riding a two fight losing streak. Her recent loss was to Julianna Pena by unanimous decision at UFC 200 on July 9, 2016. Vieira is undefeated with nine wins. Her recent win over was Sara McMann by submission at UFC 215 at September 9th. It's been ages since Zingano was an undefeated title contender who held an upset win over Miesha Tate. Zingano has the weight of the world on her shoulders as she's not only on a two fight losing streak but she's coming back from a year and a half absence. If Zingano wants to make a comeback, she has to win. She can't afford any more setbacks. Like Edgar, Zingano is also getting up there in age as she's 35 and if she wants another shot at the gold then she needs to make it now. Worst of all, Zingano could be cut with another loss as it would be three in a row and she had the long lay off so the UFC could write her off as done. Despite the two fight losing streak, a win over Zingano would be good for Vieira as she would defeat her another former title contender which could give her an argument that either a title shot or a title eliminator should be her next fight. This fight should also be interesting to see how much rust Zingano has or if she comes off like she never left.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Alexander Volkov (UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov, 3/17/18)- Werdum is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura on November 19th. Volkov is riding a five fight win streak with his most recent win being over Stefan Struve by TKO at UFC Fight Night: Struve vs. Volkov on September 2nd. Like his previous fight, Werdum is facing another former champion from another organization that's looking to take that next step in the UFC. Werdum is continuing to fight his way back to a title shot in the hopes of regaining the championship and avenge his loss to Miocic. Volkov has climbed the ranks in the UFC very well and a win would be the biggest of his career to date. Whoever wins this fight could be next in line for Miocic or Cormier so a win is important. A loss is bad for both as they not only see a win streak snapped but for Werdum, he's 40 with a lot of fights under his belt so he may not last much longer and this could be his last opportunity while for Volkov, it could take a while before he gets another opportunity against an opponent the caliber of Fabricio Werdum. This fight should also be interesting as Volkov struggled with his ground game years ago and now he's fighting perhaps the greatest BJJ grappler in the history of heavyweight MMA so it will be interesting to see how Volkov deals with this as he may have improved but not to the point where he can go to the ground or allow it to.
Jimi Manuwa vs. Jan Blachowicz (UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov, 3/17/18)- This is a rematch from UFC Fight Night: Cro Cop vs. Gonzaga 2 back on April 15, 2015. Manuwa is coming off a loss to Volkan Oezdemir by KO at UFC 214 on July 29th. Blachowicz is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win was over Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision at UFC on FOX: Lawler vs. dos Anjos on December 16th. Manuwa could be in a must win to an extent. While he won't be cut if he loses, he is 38 which means he is getting up there in age and it would be the first losing streak of his career. Manuwa also beat Blachowicz in their last fight so he wouldn't want to lose to someone he previously beat especially after coming off a 41 second knockout loss. Blachowicz, on the other hand, is on a roll as he just earned the first win streak of his UFC run and he obviously wouldn't want to lose it now especially after being in periods where he was fighting for his job and desperately trying to stay above water. Blachowicz would also love to avenge his previous loss and wouldn't want to lose to a fighter twice. It should also be noted how UFC needs fresh challengers for Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier with him steamrolling through everyone so the winner of this fight, especially Blachowicz who would be on a three fight win streak should he win, could be in line for the next shot following Cormier's fight with Miocic in July.
Darrion Caldwell vs. Leandro Higo (Bellator 195, 3/2/18)- For the Bellator Bantamweight Championship. Caldwell is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Eduardo Dantas by unanimous decision to win the Bellator Bantamweight Championship at Bellator 184 on October 6th. Higo is coming off a win over Joe Taimanglo by unanimous decision at Bellator 184 on October 6th. The fact this is for the championship is worth seeing but there is more. Since his arrival to Bellator in 2014, Caldwell has been one of the promotions top prospects who most thought would be a future champion and in his last fight, he achieved those expectations. Now that he is champion, Caldwell would obviously not want to lose the title in his first defense and risk becoming a one hit wonder. Ironically, Higo made his debut last year as a replacement for the injured Caldwell and lost a close decision to then champion Eduardo Dantas. To win the Bellator Bantamweight Championship in his third fight would be a great achievement and get his name out there especially given who he would beat as many would consider Caldwell a champion who will rule for a long time.
Joe Warren vs. Joe Taimanglo (Bellator 195, 3/2/18)- Warren is coming off a win over Steve Garcia by unanimous decision at Bellator 181 on July 14th. Taimanglo is riding a two fight losing streak with his recent loss being to Leandro Higo by unanimous decision at Bellator 184 on October 6th. At 41 going on 42, Warren's time is running out and he needs to win if he wants another opportunity. Warren has been yo-yoing in recent fights and needs to put together a win streak if he wants one more chance at the title. A win puts Warren back on a win streak and he'll no doubt want a title shot especially if Caldwell wins in the main event as he'd probably would want to avenge his previous loss to him. Taimanglo could be in a must win as he not only is on a two fight losing streak but he's had some problems making weight and missed weight twice since moving down including his first fight with Caldwell which was supposed to be a title eliminator until Taimanglo failed to make weight and won which resulted in a rematch that he lost. It's possible that Bellator make cut ties with Taimanglo with a third straight loss especially with the failed weight cuts even if Bantamweight isn't stacked. A win can mean a lot for both men as it could lead to a title shot or a title eliminator especially if Taimanglo and Caldwell win their fights as they are tied 1-1 so we could see a rubber fight. Taimanglo has also shown in the first Caldwell fight that he is capable of grabbing a guillotine choke from a takedown attempt and Warren is a wrestler so can Taimanglo do it again even though Warren has more experience?
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