The UFC returns to Orlando this weekend. After a weekend away from gracing fans’ screens, the UFC has put together a star-filled fight night. Headlined by Stephen Wonderboy Thompson and Kevin Holland, here are five reasons to watch UFC Orlando.
The New Diakiese
Marc Diakiese has looked like a brand-new fighter in 2022. In areas he may have lacked in his previous fights, ‘Bonecrusher’ has implemented into his game impeccably. Many protested the Englishman should have gotten a ranked opponent after his recent results. However, a fight against Michael Johnson should please all fans.
Johnson is as dangerous as they come, and although he doesn’t always get the result, he puts on classic after classic in the octagon.
Diakiese will be hoping to avoid Johnson’s one-punch power and finish the year with three out of three wins.
The Return Of Jack ‘The Joker’
Jack Hermanson last fought on UFC London, getting a win over the king of last-minute fight call-ups, Chris Curtis. This time around, Hermanson takes on another tough opponent in Roman Dolidze.
The Joker is ever-present in the middleweight rankings but has struggled to string back-to-back wins together. Making it two for two over Curtis and Dolidze this weekend would certainly cement Hermanson’s place in the middleweight elite. With that would likely come a fight for a rank above his own, adding extra excitement for this bout.
A Potential Heavyweight Classic
Tai Tuivasa hopes to bounce back following his war in Paris against Ciryl Gane. Standing in his way, however, is terrifying heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich.
With wins over Stefan Struve, Greg Hardy, Augusto Sakai and Derick Lewis, Tuivasa has proved time and time again he belongs at the very top of the heavyweight division. Pavlovich, who is coming off a career-high victory over Derrick Lewis, is on his way to the top of the division. Undefeated since 2018, Pavlovich will be hoping to go out and will be hoping to steal Tuivasa’s number 4 spot in arguably the scariest division in the sport.
A Welterweight Return For RDA
After a three-fight return to 155 lbs, Rafael Dos Anjos returns to 170 lbs. The legend of the sport has chosen to seek favourite fan fights rather than any more title runs and treats fans to a mouth-watering bout with Bryan Barberena.
Likely on the back end of his career, RDA has given so much to the sport of MMA and is the gift that keeps on giving with this next bout.
A Fan UFC Favourite Main Event
Kevin Holland couldn’t resist coming out of ‘retirement’ when he was offered Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. Two UFC fan favourites are going head-to-head in what will likely be a stand-up treat for those watching.
Another veteran of the sport – Stephen Thompson, has never had an easy opponent in his time in the UFC. Still ranked sixth at welterweight, a win over an opponent like Holland has the potential to set up some huge fights for the nice guy of MMA.
Holland is coming off a loss over Khamzat Chimaev in a wild display of events surrounding UFC 279. Claiming he had retired following the fight left fans confused as to why the young athlete had called it a day. This didn’t last long, however, as he shortly accepted a fight against Thompson that thrilled UFC fans. Similarly to Wonderboy, a win this weekend puts Holland in an interesting place in terms of match-ups.
Both bring their A-game and top-class striking in all their fights, so this will be a good one whether it goes for 25 seconds or 25 minutes.
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