On February 11, 2017, for the first time in the history of the UFC a women’s featherweight champion will be crowned at UFC 208! Exciting? Or the perfect marketing strategy? The UFC has been consistently stirring the pot over the last year. With the arrival of mega stars like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, the traditional “fight your way to the top” system is looking more like a WWE style promotion. Yet, if we had to give this a card a theme we’d aptly call it – The Road Back or End of the Road. Here’s why.
Holly Holm, the literally one time women’s bantamweight champion is definitely still a contender. Or is she? When she shocked the world by dismantling Rousey in the first round she looked unstoppable. Unfortunately for her, the next match up versus Miesha Tate (who has a heart of gold) proved to be a big disappointment for Holm’s camp. Being beat at the ground game and the submission loss called her into question. Her subsequent unanimous decision loss to Valentina Schevchenko, now has everyone asking if Holly is still a viable contender. With Rousey’s second defeat in as many bouts, Holm’s victory looks less impressive and more of a result of good timing in being the first to expose Rousey’s flaws.
Well, the UFC being the money making machine it is apparently still thinks she might be. Or are they just setting up a bigger fight? The return of Cyborg perhaps? The style of this match is sure to be an interesting one to watch. Holm’s is an American style boxer and kick-boxer and Germaine de Randamie is a Dutch kickboxer. I highly doubt there will be any ground game in this fight which is probably exactly what the UFC wants to see. I believe it will come down to accuracy and the “whoever hits first wins the fight” philosophy. Both have power, both have experience and they are both kick boxers! But Holm isn’t the only star power on the card, UFC dug into its archives to bring back a legend who will also enter the octagon in Brooklyn. More after the jump…
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Since the UFC knows that neither Holm nor de Randamie have the name or personality to bring in the pay-per-view numbers then why not bring in a name like Anderson Silva. Is he still a name though? That’s up for discussion but in my opinion he is always dangerous. So, who do they put him up against? Do we want him to lose or win? Yes, that’s what the UFC seems to be turning into with some of these bouts. Hey! How about Derek Brunson. He’s by no means an easy fight but his style should fit right into an Anderson Silva knockout. I agree with the folks over at Fight Network who said that Brunson loves to come in fast and chin up! Something Silva loves. With his accuracy and power this should be a no brainer for him. Unless, like some people say, he doesn’t have it anymore in which case this can prove to be another fight where the older ex-champion should have bid farewell a few fights ago and forgone the embarrassment.
#@AndersonSilvia#mma#newyork#team#ufc208✅
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So what happens next? For the winner of Holm v. de Randamie, it looks like we could see Cyborg as the next opponent. Maybe she will end up being the womens featherweight champion and then fight the bantamweight champion and end up being a two belt holder like McGregor. Like I said, the match ups are becoming more about entertainment than about who deserves it.
For Silva, a non-competitive loss would certainly end his career. A win, however, means he gets to keep fighting on perhaps with one more shot at a title. Either way, UFC 208 is sure to have its highlights of knockouts and will definitely bring drama to the ever evolving sport.