UFC 214 Will be the UFC Event of the Year
With all the hype around the upcoming McGregor vs Mayweather fight people seem to have forgotten that the UFC has put together an unbelievable card that is worth being a more significant number like 200 0r 220. Every fight on this card has a chance to be a show stealer and have a huge moment even the non title fights.
The First match should be a slugfest. Jimi Manuwa is the favored fighter in the division and has great KO power as he proved when he scored KO of the week at 204, this guy has deadly hands. His opponent Volkan Oezdemir is also a very powerful guy, and a world class striker but I think if he tries to fight Manuwa standing up he’s gonna be on dream street. Manuwa first round KO but it should be great to watch.
The Second fight on the card is “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler vs “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone. This is probably the hardest fight to call. Lawler is a former champ for a reason, he has quick hands, great combinations, and KO power. But the Cowboy is in the middle of a career renaissance since he moved from the lightweight division to the welterweights. Cerrone is an excellent Muay Thai fighter so he might be able to fight Lawler on his feet but probably the best strategy will be to take him to the mat. I think Cerrone will take this one by split decision.
The first of the championship fights is between Cris Cyborg and Tonya Evinger for the Strawweight crown. No two ways about it Cyborg will go home with the belt she is far and away the best in that division and unless she gets DQ’d she’s getting the victory. Sorry Tonya.
Next is the Co-Main Event the Champ Tyron Woodley vs Demian Maia now a lot of this card is Striker heavy but this match is the most likely to end up on the mat. Maia is a black belt in brazilian jiu jitsu and former BJJ world champ. The guy straight up loves tapping people out. Woodley’s background is in wrestling and he is amazing at takedowns. Woodley is unbelievably fast and strong, he can try to keep to his feet because he can hit hard and doing so would keep him from getting stuck in one of Maia’s submissions but he may not be able to resist trying for a takedown. I’m going Woodley by decision here.
And Finally the Main Event of the Evening! Jon “Bones” Jones finally makes his long awaited return to the Octagon after spending the better part of the last year and a half trying to win the title of biggest dick in sports. Doing so cost him his title and reputation which has been hit with doping and drug allegations to go along with his hit and run charges. It is virtually impossible to root against Daniel Cormier in this fight the guy has been a class act his whole career he took a fight on 2 weeks notice when Jones was ruled out for failing his pre fight drug test. Jones has the edge in almost every category he has the reach, the height, he beat Cormier in their last fight and he has never been Knocked out or submitted. Which is why I can’t say I like Cormier to retain the belt but God do I hope he does. If Cormier is going to pull off the upset he has to utilize his wrestling background, which won’t be easy because Jones is almost as good off his feet as on them, but it’s his best shot.
regardless of results this card should deliver the best nights of fighting all year.
Written By Jason MacKinnon (@oohKillemJason)