Revealed on 2 Dec 2022 3:03 am (UK Time)
In September of this 12 months, Kevin Holland and Khamzat Chimaev have been concerned in a backstage brawl a couple of days earlier than UFC 279. The subsequent day, Chimaev missed weight on the weigh-in and the group was compelled to do a final minute scramble. In consequence, Chimaev didn’t face Nate Diaz on the primary card; as a substitute he confronted Holland, the person he’d squared off with in an unsanctioned scuffle. Holland would go on to lose by way of first spherical submission, however he deserves credit score for accepting a changeup on brief discover. On this upcoming Saturday, Holland will get a shot at redemption when he faces Stephen Thompson in entrance of a bought out crowd on the Amway Middle in Orlando Florida. There’s quite a bit to unpack right here; with out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Thompson vs. Holland
Stephen Thompson has not appeared within the octagon since December of 2019 when he misplaced a unanimous choice to Belal Muhammad at The Apex Middle in Las Vegas. He’s misplaced 4 out of his final six fights and he’ll flip 40-years-old in February. The spotlight of his profession came about at UFC 205 and UFC 209 when he misplaced a pair of title photographs towards reigning welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Since then, he’s been mediocre at greatest. There are rumors swirling that his subsequent struggle will likely be his final, whatever the consequence.
In March of this 12 months, Kevin Holland’s recognition among the many UFC’s fanbase soared after he helped to cease a possible mass shooter at a restaurant in Houston Texas. His braveness outdoors of the octagon is commendable and his braveness inside it’s plain. As a 6’3″ welterweight, Holland usually has the attain benefit towards his opponents. Whereas he’s a giant goal, his velocity and timing make him tough to hit. Though he’s at present unranked within the welterweight division, a formidable efficiency on Saturday must be sufficient to catapult him into the highest fifteen when the brand new divisional rankings are launched early subsequent week. Make certain to tune in to witness these two savvy veterans face off in the midst of the octagon!
Barberena vs. dos Anjos
At 33-years-old, welterweight challenger Bryan Barberena is having among the best years of his profession. He received fights in March and July of this calendar 12 months; a win on Saturday would quantity to a hat trick, one thing solely essentially the most lively fighters are capable of obtain. Though he joined the UFC again in 2014, he has by no means competed for a title and is at present unranked. Incomes a 3rd consecutive victory this 12 months would do quite a bit for his argument that he must be positioned among the many high fifteen opponents within the weight class.
Rafael dos Anjos is ranked seventh within the UFC’s light-weight division, but he has agreed to satisfy Bryan Barberena in a welterweight bout on Saturday. He’s a fighter’s fighter who loves his craft and enjoys the game; he couldn’t cross up the struggle in entrance of a bought out crowd in Florida. To this point this 12 months, he has received a single struggle and misplaced a single struggle. His efficiency at UFC Orlando will decide whether or not or not 2022 was a profitable 12 months for him. Though pundits are torn on the query if dos Anjos ought to stay at welterweight or return to light-weight, one factor’s for sure: he’ll at all times come ready every time he steps foot within the octagon. Barberena and dos Anjos will cease at nothing to emerge victorious; you received’t wish to miss it!
Nicolau vs. Schnell
Flyweight challenger Matheus Nicolau is within the midst of a five-fight-win-streak, three of which have come since he rejoined the UFC again in March of 2021. In contrast to a whole lot of fighters who stay part of the world’s most famed combined martial arts group so long as they presumably can, Nicolau left the UFC in 2018 after a profitable two-and-a-half 12 months run. He then fought on regional circuits in his native Brazil earlier than returning to the group. Many pundits really feel that this time away from the highlight was good for him and he has been higher than ever upon his return. On Saturday, he’ll get his probability to make a press release in entrance of a bought out area at UFC Orlando.
In his final 5 fights, Matt Schnell has skilled two victories, two losses and one no contest. To say issues have been up and down for him not too long ago can be an understatement. Regardless of the current turmoil, he’s nonetheless ranked eighth within the UFC’s flyweight division. One of many causes he stays extremely revered is his versatility; he’s a Black belt in Karate and a Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It doesn’t matter what his file says, he’s nonetheless a really harmful opponent contained in the octagon. Nicolau and Schnell are every within the hunt for a shot on the flyweight title; they’re going to place all of it on the road as a way to get there. You should definitely tune in!
Tuivasa vs. Pavlovich
Tai Tuivasa has 5 wins as an expert boxer and fourteen wins as an expert kickboxer on his resume. He was additionally signed to an expert rugby crew in Australia earlier than he determined that fight sports activities was his true calling in life. As a combined martial artist, his recognition soared as he loved a five-fight win streak between October of 2020 and February of 2022. Nonetheless, that momentum got here crashing down when he suffered a knockout defeat by the hands of Ciryl Gane in September of this 12 months. He’s nonetheless ranked fourth within the UFC’s heavyweight division; a win on Saturday places him proper again within the hunt for a shot on the heavyweight title.
Sergei Pavlovich was as soon as the undisputed champion of the Battle Nights International group. After one profitable title protection, he joined the UFC in November of 2018. After shedding his first bout within the group, Pavlovich is having fun with a four-fight win streak and is at present fifth within the UFC’s divisional rankings. His TKO victory over Derrick Lewis within the first spherical of their struggle in July of this 12 months put the world on discover that Pavlovich was able to compete towards the perfect that the burden class has to supply. On Saturday, he’ll get the most important alternative of his UFC tenure when he will get an opportunity to carry out in entrance of a packed home on the Amway Middle in Orlando. You received’t wish to miss it!
Hermansson vs. Dolidze
Middleweight prospects Jack Hermansson and Roman Dolidze are every 34-years-old, but their careers look like headed in two completely different instructions. Hermansson has misplaced three out of his final six fights, whereas Dolidze is within the midst of a three-fight-win-streak. Dolidze has misplaced just one struggle his total profession, and most pundits agree that he’ll make his first look within the UFC’s divisional rankings if he has a formidable efficiency on Saturday. Hermansson alternatively, has been an expert since 2010 and it seems that his greatest days are behind him. However, these two will go away nothing to be desired after they meet in the midst of the octagon. You should definitely tune in to witness all the motion!
Anders vs. Daukaus
Middleweight veteran Eryk Anders received an Collegiate Championship in American Soccer as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Taking part in linebacker for legendary Coach Nick Saban, it’s secure to say that Anders understands demanding environments and excessive expectations. Kyle Daukaus hails from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, a metropolis recognized for its toughness, and has an older brother, Chris, who competes within the UFC’s heavyweight division. These two males are two of the hardest middleweights within the group. They’ll have interaction in an all-out-war after they face each other in entrance of a raucous crowd in Orlando. You received’t wish to miss it!
Learn how to Watch
UFC Orlando could be considered on BT Sport in The UK and on ESPN Plus in America. As at all times, we’ll have all the most recent updates concerning the outcomes of the fights, in addition to in depth evaluation, out there proper right here at World in Sport!
