BUFFALO plays host to the latest UFC card this Saturday, with a ton of intriguing storylines. Headlined by the second match between Johnson and Cormier for the light heavyweight belt, UFC 210 is poised to have an impact across a number of different weight divisions with both newcomers and fan favourites competing.
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Lightweight – Will ‘Ill Will’ Brooks (18-2) vs. #9 Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira (21-7-0, 1NC)
THE first bout to kick off the main card see the versatile Will Brooks and the powerful ground guru Charles Oliveira. While Brooks is a very multi-dimensional fighter he isn’t a stand out striker or finisher. Oliveira however loves to finish fights on the deck and despite his recent hiccups (three losses in his last four fights) he has been beaten by some very good fighters. On paper this match should be electric with both fighters seriously needing a win. I’m backing ‘Ill Will’ to get the job done though.
VERDICT: Brooks W
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Welterweight – Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves (26-12) vs. Patrick ‘The Predator’ Cote (24-10)
A durable long time veteran Patrick Cote has built his reputation on being a formidable striker. He does however, posses an underrated wrestling game that has been on show since dropping down from light heavyweight. His opponent the Brazilian Thiago Alves has mastered his craft over the 16 years as a pro, crafting a reputation as a devastating threat with his hands and feet. Both are on the outside looking in at upper echelon of the welterweight division. Cote is the more well rounded fighter and that will shine through on Sat.
VERDICT: Cote W
Women’s Strawweight – Cynthia Calvillo (4-0) vs. Pearl Gonzales (Debut)
AFTER plenty of controversy and doubt surrounding this fight it’s still on. The 4-0 Cynthia Calvillo has been a pro fighter for just eight months and Pearl Gonzales is making her UFC debut, so it’s fair to say that both these fighters are relatively unknown. I think Gonzales might be slightly underrated in this fight though and should get the W thanks to her overall floor game shines through.
VERDICT: Gonzales W
Middleweight – #4 Chris ‘The All-American’ Weidman (13-2) vs. #5 Gegard Mousasi (41-6-2)
PERSONALLY my favourite fight of UFC card pitches Weidman against Mousasi, with both fighters vying to stay relevant and work their way up the food chain. Weidman was the undisputed best fighter at this weight 18 months ago, but after two ugly losses in a row can we expect him to suddenly bounce back to glory? Mousasi is the favourite for obvious reasons and the veteran has only been knockout out once in his 49 professional fights. This bizarre division could see either fighter on the cusp of a title bout with a win and I’m expecting the fight to go the distance. My money’s with the veteran Mousasi.
VERDICT: Mousasi W
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Light Heavyweight Title – C Daniel ‘DC’ Cormier (18-1) vs. #1 Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson (22-5)
HEADLINING the UFC 210 card is the title math between Cormier and Johnson. After the debacle with Jon Jones last time Cormier took to the octagon this is his first ‘proper’ fight since 2015. Cormier clashes with ‘Rumble’ Johnson who has three consecutive performance of the night honours to his name. Every part of me wants Cormier to claim victory to set up a rematch with Jon Jones, but Johnson won’t go down easily. You could legitimately flip a coin and I’m just hoping that this fight lives up to the hype. It’s tight, it’s tough but Cormier is my pick.
VERDICT: Cormier W
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