The mixed martial arts community was shaken by sighs of despair when it was revealed that the interim lightweight championship bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson was scrapped for UFC 209 this Saturday night.
A fight that has eluded fans for years due to multiple shortcomings along the way, the weight cut-related illness of Nurmagomedov proved to be yet another one on Friday morning during weigh-ins. In what was a highly anticipated co-main event battle between two world-class lightweight competitors, suddenly turned into cries of outrage when the reality set in that the contest would not take place.
While this serves as a heavy blow to the outlook of Saturday’s card, there is room for optimism, as UFC 209 still puts something on the table despite a lack of sizzle.
Let’s take a look at three other bouts to keep an eye on.
Woodley and Wonderboy For the Strap: Act II
This is a no brainer for multiple reasons, with the most obvious being that this fight headlined the card long before the lightweight bout was pulled. The rematch between welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson is one that MMA die-hards called for in the immediate wake of their pulse-pounding UFC 205 matchup last November.
With Woodley retaining the title due to a draw, it was clear that the story between these two 170-pound warriors was far from over; and now the world is fortunate enough to see the sequel.
On what initially seems like the classic “striker vs. wrestler” match up, the various factors that play into this fight are surely bound to compel spectators just as they did in the first.
Woodley’s raw, explosive power meets Thompson’s fluidity and punching accuracy. Woodley’s athleticism and wrestling pedigree meets Thompson’s elite kickboxing and karate skillset. The anvil-like overhand right of Woodley against the decapitating kicks of Thompson.
This is as good of a 170-pound fight the combat sports world could ask for in early 2017, and all those who tune in will be glad that they did.
Hunt and Overeem Square Off in Heavyweight Throw-down
While most news regarding Mark Hunt’s relationship with the UFC hasn’t been octagon-based as of late, that will not take away any of the excitement this heavyweight battle could provide. A fight between two knockout artists and MMA veterans, Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem will meet in an affair that very well may resemble a sprint rather than a marathon.
In what some may not realize is also a rematch from a 2008 bout won by Overeem via submission, both combatants look to get back on the winning track, as Hunt is fresh off of a controversial no contest with Brock Lesnar at UFC 200 while Overeem was recently finished by heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 203.
Despite it being obvious that both athletes are no longer in the prime of their careers, the smash mouth, toe-to-toe appeal of this one is hard to resist for even the most cynical MMA fans. Deep down everybody wants to see this, simply because deep down everybody loves to see heavyweight action.
Vannata Set for Third UFC Appearance
At a time where it is crucial for the UFC to present up and coming fighters to the masses, 24 year-old Lando Vannata has not hesitated to make a name for himself during his brief time within the promotion so far.
Taking on David Teymur in his third UFC fight Saturday, the Greg Jackson product has already created a stir in the lightweight division, tagging the aforementioned Tony Ferguson early on in their competitive fight in the summer and knocking out John Makdessi in spectacular fashion in December.
Vannata has another opportunity to make a splash early on in his UFC career against Teymur on what is now the co-main event of the evening. And while many will hopelessly clamor at the fact it is not the preferred 155-pound bout taking place, it may still provide them with something noteworthy.