Questions UFC Fans Have Heading Into UFC 223
UFC 223 is just around the corner, and it’s the most highly anticipated fight card of the year. If all goes well UFC fans will finally get to see Tony Ferguson vs Khabib. This is the most important lightweight fight in UFC history. Ferguson is on a 10 fight win streak, while Khabib is 25-0 in his pro MMA career. The co-main event will be the rematch between Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The rest of the card is jam packed with great fights. This event is only one week away. It’s only fitting to go over some questions UFC fans might have before UFC 223.
Will there be weight cutting issues?
Its no secret Khabib has had his fair share of weight cutting issues. I don’t think Khabib is the person to worry about. He has a new dietitian and made weight with out any problems at UFC 219. Joanna Jedrzejczyk has said in multiple interviews weight cutting problems are the reason she lost the first fight against Rose. In the first fight Rose knocked out the former champ early in the first round. Joanna said the weight cut left her drained, which is why she was knocked out. The big question surrounding Joanna this fight is her weight cut. Will she be going into this fight 100% after her weight cut this time? On many different occasions Joanna has stated she’d like to move up a weight division. Reason being the weight cut at strawweight has been too much for her body to handle. It’s going to be interesting to see if Joanna comes into this fight 100% after another weight cut down to 115 pounds.
Will Ferguson vs Khabib finally happen?
I don’t want to jinx this fight by saying this, but this fight has been canceled twice in the past. Ferguson had to pull out due to injury the first time. Khabib had to pull out due to weight cutting issues the second time. Both times this fight got canceled MMA fans were left heart broken. This is the fight every MMA fan has been dying to see. So will it finally happen this time? We’re one week away and both fighters are looking good. Both men say they feel great, and both say they’re going to be ready for April 7th. Lets all hope the third time is a charm.
Will Mcgregor make an appearance after the main event?
Mcgregor has already stated he’ll be at UFC 223 to support his teammate Artem Lobov. Lobov will be fighting on the under card against Alex Caceres. The question is will they put Mcgregor in the octagon after the main event? Mcgregor can definitely make headlines if he decides to make an appearance when the main event is over. That would be the first step to hyping a potential matchup with the winner of Khabib vs Ferguson. Is this the fight that Mcgregor wants next? It’s no secret that any matchup Mcgregor ask for he’s most likely going to get. Mcgregor has many options. Will he decide to do the trilogy with Nate Diaz? Will he decide to go down to 145 and fight Max Holloway for the featherweight championship? Will he try to get another fight against Floyd Mayweather? Will he fight the winner of Khabib vs Ferguson? There’s no doubt in my mind that Ferguson and Khabib are going to put on a show at UFC 223. The question is will Mcgregor add to the madness when the fight is over?
-Stephen Caloggero (@steveo_calo)