November 30, 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.
Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega (UFC 231, 12/8/18)- For the UFC Featherweight Championship. Holloway is riding a twelve fight win streak with his recent win being over Jose Aldo by TKO at UFC 218 on December 2, 2017. Ortega is unbeaten in fifteen fights (14 wins, 1 no contest) with his recent fight being a win over Frankie Edgar by KO at UFC 222 on March 3rd. This should be a fun fight to watch as both aren't known for boring styles as far as I know and it's one we've waited months for. Holloway is coming off a long injury and one that some had fears of whether it would could put him out for years or permanently. Now back, Holloway would love to defend his title and against an undefeated opponent because what fighter doesn't like to hand a top fighter their first loss? Ortega isn't supposed to be here as he got the title shot after upsetting Frankie Edgar after replacing Holloway so he knows title shots aren't something that regularly come along. Ortega needs to take advantage of this opportunity as a win makes him the UFC champion and it would be excellent to defeat a fighter like Holloway. A loss is a double whammy as Ortega would fail to win the title and it would mark the first loss of his career.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC 231, 12/8/18)- For the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship. Shevchenko is coming off a win over Priscila Cachoeira by submission at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs Anders on February 3rd. Jedrzejczyk is coming off a win over Tecia Torres by unanimous decision on UFC on FOX: Alvarez vs Poirier 2 on July 28th. This is a fight between two women who have found a new home at flyweight and are looking for either success that has eluded them or looking to recapture success they once had. In incredible irony, both are in the same boat in that they've lost twice to a champion in their previous weight class. For Shevchenko, she was a top women's bantamweight and challenged Amanda Nunes but lost a close split decision. Jedrzejczyk was the former women's strawweight champion who was one of the best in the world before losing the title Rose Namajunas and then coming up short in the rematch. For Shevchenko, a win would finally make her a champion in the UFC after coming so close a year ago. For Jedrzejczyk, a win makes her a champion once again and allows her to make history becoming the first woman in UFC history to win a belt in two weight classes.
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson (UFC 232, 12/29/18)- For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. This is rematch from UFC 165 back on September 21, 2013. Jones is unbeaten in thirteen fights with his recent fight being a no contest to Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017. Gustafsson is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Glover Teixeira by KO at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira on May 28, 2017. This fight alone is worth it given the classic they had five years ago. If this is anything like the last one, then this should be one MMA fans should try to catch. Another reason is the fact that both really need a win here. In many cases, Jones shouldn't need to win but he's lost months and years of his career with his legal problems and failed drug test. Jones is also coming off a drug test failure so if he loses here, then it would really hurt his legacy as it would come off like he only had success cause he was on something. Jones also needs to show that he's still the same dominant fighter that he's always been and he's reclaiming the throne no one ever beat him for. Gustafsson has been a "so close and so far" many times as he's challenged for the title against Jones and then Cormier only to lose both times by split decision. Given those and the fact he's battled injuries lately, this could be his last chance at the title. Gustafsson would also love nothing more than show that he is the better fighter and should've got the nod last time.
Cris Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes (UFC 232, 12/29/18)- For the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship. Cyborg is unbeaten in 21 fights (20 wins, 1 draw) with her most recent fight being a win over Yana Kunitskaya by TKO at UFC 222 on March 3rd. Nunes is riding a seven fight win streak with her recent win being over Raquel Pennington by TKO at UFC 224 on May 12th. This is a superfight and may be the biggest one yet in the history of Women's MMA. A win for either would be huge as they not only get bragging rights but the winner could argue that they are undoubtedly the best women's fighter in the world. For Cyborg, a win would allow her to keep her championship and continue to make a strong argument that she is the greatest women's fighter of all time. For Nunes, this would be a massive win as she already beat legends Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey so a win over Cyborg would give her a strong argument to being the greatest female fighter of all time. Along with adding another trophy to her collection, Nunes has the chance to make history because if Jedrzejczyk comes up short against Shevchenko then Nunes would have a chance to become the first female fighter in UFC history to win a belt in two weight classes though regardless if Jedrzejczyk wins or not, she can still become the first female fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously.
Carlos Condit vs. Michael Chiesa (UFC 232, 12/29/18)- Condit is riding a four fight losing streak with his recent loss being to Alex Oliveira by submission at UFC on FOX: Poirier vs. Gaethje on April 14th. Chiesa is riding a two fight losing streak with his recent loss being to Anthony Pettis by submission at UFC 226 on July 6th. This fight is a must win for both men. Once one of the top fighters in the world, Condit's UFC run and even career is hanging on by a thread. Condit needs this win if he intends to keep going because a loss will likely end his UFC run and have everyone including Dana White telling him to retire. After spending years in lightweight, Chiesa will move back up and obviously needs a win to start his welterweight campaign on the right foot. A loss is bad for him as that would be three in a row and while he'll likely get another fight, his next will see him likely fighting for his job. Regardless of the outcome, the loser will have to do some soul searching.
Brent Primus vs. Michael Chandler (Bellator 212, 12/14/18)- For the Bellator Lightweight Championship. This is a rematch from Bellator NYC from June 24, 2017. This fight was originally scheduled back at Bellator 197 on April 13th. Primus is undefeated at eight wins with his recent win being over Michael Chandler by TKO at Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017. Chandler is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Brandon Girtz by technical submission at Bellator 197 on April 13th. This is another one of those fights that should be fun depending if it lasts long enough. This fight is also interesting as nothing was settled in the last fight as it lasted only two minutes before Chandler suffered an injury. The question is what would've happened if the injury didn't happen? Would Primus have won anyway or would Chandler have made another successful defense? Hopefully, the issue will be settled once and for all. Either Primus proves his win wasn't a fluke or Chandler makes history and becomes the first fighter to be a three time champion in Bellator MMA history.
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane vs. Valerie Letourneau (Bellator 213, 12/15/18)- For the Bellator Women's Flyweight Championship. MacFarlane is undefeated at eight wins with her recent win being over Alejandra Lara by submission at Bellator 201 on June 29th. Letourneau is riding a two fight win streak with her recent win being over Kristina Williams by unanimous decision at Bellator 201 on June 29th. MacFarlane has a lot riding on this one as she will be defending her championship but even more is on the line. This event will be one of the first held in the state of Hawaii which is her home state and she will be the main event. Obviously, anybody fighting in their home town, state, or country wants to win and look amazing in front of the home crowd. Losing a title is bad enough but losing in your home state would make it twice as bad. Letourneau stands to gain a lot as a win gives her the title and the first to hand MacFarlane a loss. MacFarlane has also become one of the face's of Bellator so a win over her would be big and raise her profile while potentially making her a face of the promotion.
Lyoto Machida vs. Rafael Carvalho (Bellator 213, 12/15/18)- Machida is riding a two ight win streak with his recent win being over Vitor Belfort by KO at UFC 224 on May 12th. Carvalho is coming off a loss to Gegard Mousasi by TKO at Bellator 200 on May 25th. This is one of those fights where both guys could use a win though for different reasons. After leaving the UFC with two wins and a knockout of the year candidate against Belfort, Machida now finds himself making his debut in Bellator and everybody wants to win in their debut for an organization. Even though Carvalho is coming off a title loss, a win is still big for Machida as he would stake his claim as a top contender in Bellator defeating a former champion and the possible number one contender especially if Mousasi retains against Rafael Lovato Jr. in January giving Machida already has a win over Mousasi. For Carvalho, a win gets him back on track especially defeating a legend like Machida and could give him an argument for the next title shot. A loss wouldn't be the worse thing in the world giving it's Machida but it would mark his first losing streak of his career and set him further away from a title shot especially with not only Machida but Anatoly Tokov also knocking on the door for a potential title shot.
Neiman Gracie vs. Ed Ruth (Bellator 213, 12/15/18)- This is a first round fight in the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Gracie is undefeated at eight wins with his recent win being over Javier Torres by submission at Bellator 198 on April 28th. Ruth is undefeated at six wins with his recent win being over Andy Murad by TKO at Bellator 201 on June 29th. This is a fight between two promising prospects so this will be interesting as both are looking to make a name for themselves and a win helps achieve that as they're one step closer to winning the grand prix and chances for bigger fights. Both fighters are undefeated so we're guaranteed for someone to suffer their first loss barring a draw or no contest. Both have a lot to prove being young and the most inexperienced so it should be good as they want to prove they are a force to be reckoned with. A win would also be huge as the winner faces the winner of Rory MacDonald/Jon Fitch and a win over either of them would be big for them especially if it's over MacDonald who is the reigning welterweight champ. If it goes to the ground then things get real interesting as Gracie obviously is excellent with brazilian jiu-jitsu while Ruth was a three time NCAA division I champion in wrestling so it would be interesting to see who would do better on the ground. Does Gracie get the submission or can Ruth neutralize Gracie's jiu-jitsu with his wrestling and be effective be it submission or ground n' pound.
Kazuyuki Miyata vs. Erson Yamamoto (Rizin 14, 12/31/18)- Miyata is riding a four fight win streak with his win being over Andy Souwer by submission at Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2016 Second Round on December 29, 2016. Yamamoto is coming off a loss to Manel Kape by TKO at Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2017 - Men's Bantamweight & Women's Tournament: Aki no Jin on October 15, 2017. This fight will have emotion as this will be Miyata's last fight and he would obviously like to go out on a win. On top of that, Miyata is perhaps best known as the fighter who suffered that famous jump knee from Kid Yamamoto that knocked him out only four seconds into the fight thus making it one of the fastest fight in history. Erson is the nephew of Kid and would love to have his own highlight reel win against Miyata. Along with all this, there's a lot of emotion due to Kid Yamamoto's death in September and Miyata will never get to avenge that loss so this is the closest thing while this is Yamamoto's first fight since his uncle's death. There has to also got to be a lot of pressure on Yamamoto. Despite only being 22 and having had tough fights, his record is 2-3 so the pressure has to be on for Yamamoto to prove he is a promising up and comer.
Kanna Asakura vs. Ayaka Hamasaki (Rizin 14, 12/31/18)- For the Rizin Women's Atomweight Championship. Asakura is riding an eight fight win streak with her recent win being over Rena Kubota by unanimous decision at Rizin 11 on July 29th. Hamasaki is riding a two fight win streak with her recent win will be over Mina Kurobe by submission at Rizin 13 on September 30th. This fight will be see Rizin crown one of their first champions which makes this something to be excited about and both fighters would like to be the first champion like any fighter. Both have great track records and are doing great things. Asakura is not only entering with an eight fight win streak but the fact she won Rizin's Women's Atomweight Grand Prix last year and she would obviously love to walk out of her second straight New Year's Eve show with a prestigious honor. Hamasaki is very decorated having previously won DEEP JEWEL'S Lightweight Queen Grand Prix and Championship as well as Invicta FC's Atomweight Championship so she would love to add another title to resume. Though only 16-2, Hamasaki is also undefeated at Atomweight as her two losses were in Strawweight and a loss would mark her first loss in the weight class.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Darrion Caldwell (Rizin 14, 12/31/18)- For the Rizin Bantamweight Championship. Horiguchi is riding a ten fight win streak with his recent win being over Hiromasa Ogikubo by unanimous decision at Rizin on July 29th. Caldwell is riding a four fight win streak with his recent win being over Noad Lahat by KO at Bellator 204 on August 17th. Like the previous fight, this will see Rizin crown one of their first champions. This fight is also a superfight with both enjoying huge success with Horiguchi having won Rizin's 2017 Bantamweight Grand Prix while Caldwell is currently Bellator Bantamweight Champion. Both are also in the primes of their careers and only have three losses but over twenty wins between them. There will be bragging rights not only for the fighters but home promotions. Horiguchi has been one of Rizin's top stars and he would love to continue his success and leave Saitama for the second year in a row with a big honor. Yet another reason is Rizin has already stated that a rematch could happen in Bellator so if Horiguchi wins, he could set himself up for a Bellator Bantamweight Title shot next year. Caldwell has a chance for history as a win not only makes him the inaugural Rizin Bantamweight Champion but it would also make him one of the few fighters in Mixed Martial Arts history to hold two major championships in two different organizations simultaneously.
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