We have arrived at one of the biggest cards in UFC history. UFC 232 will take place this Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, California. After a hectic week of location rescheduling from Las Vegas to California, we have just about made it to an outstanding night of fights .
I am writing this on Thursday night, so presuming everyone makes weight, which we know is no guarantee, here is a look at an amazing main card culminating with the two most hyped up title fights of the year, where we will see the two best female mixed martial artists go to war, as well as bearing witness to the return of the greatest fighter of all time.
Chad Mendes vs. Alexander Volkanovski
We will kick off Saturday’s main card with featherweight action featuring a veteran re-assuming his position atop the division, and a grizzled UFC newcomer looking to make his mark at 145, as Chad “Money” Mendes faces Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski.
Reminding the People
This will be another opportunity for Chad Mendes to remind everyone what he is capable of. Mendes returned earlier this year in July where he absolutely dismantled Myles Jury. It was Mendes’ first fight since December of 2015. The fight was the co-main event of a lackluster fight night card that took place in Boise, Idaho, so not a lot of people were tuned in to see Money Mendes make his big return.
That fight against Jury was his first after he received a two-year suspension for popping a peptide growth hormone he was using to treat his plaque psoriasis. It is important to recognize that Chad Mendes was not attempting to cheat in any way shape or form.
Chad Mendes has immense power as well as brilliant wrestling. He should look to using his experience inside the octagon to the best of his ability. Mendes will most likely be the quicker and more powerful man in the octagon as well. Chad has seen just about everything there is to see during his UFC tenure so I’d highly doubt he’ll be taken aback by anything Volkanovski brings on Saturday night.
Taking an Opportunity
Saturday provides the biggest opportunity of Alexander Volkanovski’s career. The chance to fight someone who has fought for a title on three occasions like Mendes has this early in a UFC career is a big deal.
Volkanovski is no spring chicken however. The Australian is 30 years old and likely in the prime of his career. He is coming off of a decision win against Darren Elkins, a fight which brought eyes to Volkanovski. It was also his 15th straight win. Volkanovski is 5-0 in the UFC. This is the time for Alex to make a move towards the top of the heap at 145. If he is shut down by the veteran Mendes, who knows, we could see a Yair Rodriguez situation arise, and it could be quite some time before Volkanovski is granted another shot at a top tier opponent.
Volkanovksi is not too different from Chad Mendes – he too possesses a bit of power in his hands and is capable of wrestling with opponents. It would be in his best interest to try and lure Mendes into a bit of a brawl and get him off of his game.
Prediction
This is a mirror matchup of sorts, both of these men’s strengths are the same, as well as their weaknesses. Chad Mendes clearly showed us all that ring rust is not alive, and Volkanovski finally has his chance to make an impact and set himself up for a run at the belt in 2019.
Personally, I believe that this will be a case of too much too soon for Volkanovski. I see Mendes handling the Aussie on the ground for most of the fight and eventually getting his hand raised.
Prediction: Mendes via decision
Ilir Latifi vs. Corey Anderson
Up next we see two light heavyweights in top-15 limbo go to battle as they each look to leave 2018 with their name in the win column. Ilir “The Sledgehammer” Latifi will do battle with Corey “Overtime” Anderson.
Setting up a Run for the Title
With a win on Saturday, Ilir Latifi will possibly be facing the winner of the main event at some point in 2019. That sounds crazy but when you look at the bleak 205 division, Latifi is really just a win or two away from a crack at the belt.
Latifi is on a two fight win streak, and has won five of his last six bouts. He has proven that he can do it in multiple phases as well, especially proven in his last bout against Ovince Saint Preux, where he shocked quite a few people by choking out OSP.
Latifi will still rely on those heavy hands though, don’t get it twisted. If he can catch Corey Anderson, someone who has somewhat of a glass chin, it could very well be a short night.
Overtime Going into Overdrive
Corey Anderson has had a bumpy career in the UFC. With a victory on Saturday he will have momentum on his side as he prepares to eventually try and get a shot at the light heavyweight strap at some point in the next couple years.
All four of Anderson’s losses in his career have came since he entered the UFC. Corey is 8-4 overall in the UFC, and he has just never gotten into a stride where he allows himself to break out and gain some traction. He has been a mainstay in the top 15 at 205 mostly due to the slim division, but no one really is trying to take that away from him.
Corey Anderson is also on a two fight win streak however. He was very impressive in his last fight against Glover Teixeira. Anderson is a well-rounded fighter who if he can will keep the fight close range. Aside from his UFC debut, all of his victories inside the octagon have came via decision.
Prediction
This matchup can genuinely go anywhere. I feel that this will be a close contest regardless if it is on the feet, or on the ground. Ultimately, Corey Anderson has proven to not have the best chin. Ilir Latifi has that Yoel Romero-type power that just spurs out of nowhere. I think that Latifi will catch OT at some point late in a round, leading to a KO win for the Sledgehammer.
Prediction: Latifi via KO
Carlos Condit vs. Michael Chiesa
Next up, we will see two veterans squaring off as both men look for redemption in the eyes of the public and in the win column. Carlos “Natural Born Killer” Condit will look to kick his losing streak against another man who hasn’t won in a while, Michael “Maverick” Chiesa.
One Last Ride for NBK
I am a huge Carlos Condit fan. Personally, if he looks sloppy out there this weekend against Chiesa, I think it would be time for NBK to leave the gloves in the octagon. Hopefully this will be the start of one last run for the title for Condit, as time is ticking for the veteran.
Carlos is on a four fight losing streak currently, stemming from his split decision loss in a welterweight title bout against Robbie Lawler back in January 2016. It’s hasn’t been that long ago since Condit was at the top of his game. But the thirty-four year old has only declined since that title fight.
I really hope that we get to see that beautiful striking on display this weekend. Time stops for no man but hopefully we see the clock turned back for the future UFC hall of famer. Carlos Condit will always have his killer mentality and Michael Chiesa will not take him lightly.
Silencing the Doubters
Michael Chiesa taking on the as of late struggling Carlos Condit provides the perfect platform for Maverick to fall on his face and to once again be clowned by the MMA community. Chiesa really cannot afford to lose this weekend.
Chiesa has lost his last two fights by submission, which ironically is a bit of a specialty for him. There is a good chance that Michael will once again try and take the fight to the mat. If he isn’t able to execute against NBK, there really is a shot that he’s gonna be looked at as the “don’t talk about my mom guy.”
Prediction
I’m torn on this one. I don’t want my bias to get in the way. Chiesa can grapple and wrestle with the best of ’em, and Condit hasn’t looked his best as of late. But man, I’m gonna say that the legend NBK pulls one out of his hat and breaks his streak as he picks apart Maverick for fifteen minutes.
Prediction: Condit via decision
Amanda Nunes vs. Cris Cyborg
Now it is time for the co-main event of the evening, where we will see two of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time go to war. Each woman will have an opportunity to make a statement as to why they are the GOAT. It’s Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes against Cris “Cyborg” Justino.
The Chase for Two Belts
Amanda Nunes has shocked the MMA world on numerous occasions throughout her career, in particular her mauling of Meisha Tate in the main event of UFC 200, as well as the starching of Ronda Rousey at UFC 207.
Now, Amanda has her toughest challenge of her career in front of her on Saturday. She has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to withstand punishment, as well as dish it out at a very high volume. She has gotten through tough tests in Valentina Shevchenko before, and she is capable of finishing the fight on the feet or on the ground. She has even finished a fight via leg kick.
Amanda does everything well. The problem is, so does Cyborg. Cyborg will be the bigger and more powerful woman in the octagon on Friday night, so Amanda will have to look at getting in and out as quick as you can, and not letting Cyborg close the distance.
If Amanda were to win on Saturday she would become the first ever female double champion in UFC history and will forever have her name etched in the UFC hall of fame. There is a ton on the line for the Lioness but if anyone is capable of taking down Cyborg, it is Amanda Nunes.
Restating Dominance
No one will ever doubt what Cyborg is capable of doing inside the octagon. She is one of the most dominant fighters, male or female, in UFC history. From the killings of Tonya Evinger and Yana Kunitskaya, to embracing the challenge of Holly Holm, and everything in between.
The women’s featherweight division was crafted for Cris Cyborg. She will do whatever is necessary to keep ahold of the 145 pound belt. Cyborg, like Nunes, is immensely well-rounded, and can perform at all phases of mixed martial arts.
Prediction
In a way this is the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. There are so many intangibles to take into account when making a prediction for a super fight like this.
All in all, I believe that Nunes has what it takes to beat Cyborg, but can she consistently get in and out of the pocket for twenty-five minutes? I’m going to. have to say no, as Cyborg will press the fight too much and clip Nunes once or twice and ultimately leave a clear winner in the mind of the judges when the fight is all said and done.
Prediction: Cyborg via decision
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson
And now it is time for the main event of the evening where we will see quite possibly the best mixed martial artist of all time square off for a second time against an old foe, looking for redemption and a gold belt. It’s Jon “Bones” Jones battling Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson.
Re-Redemption?
We would all be foolish to just forgive Jon Jones and to think that he’ll never pull another stunt, but that would be just dumb wouldn’t it. This guy has messed up so many times, but yet he still has one of the biggest fan bases in the UFC. To some, Jon Jones can do no wrong.
We all thought that for once there was going to be a build up to a fight with no drama for Jon, but boy is that out of the window. The entire card had to be moved to another state so Jon could get sanctioned to fight. No one was really too surprised though, it’s second nature for Jon Jones to screw up at this point, even though this wasn’t necessarily his fault, everything stems back to him “cheating.”
I put cheating in quotations because we will never really know if Jon Jones meant to cheat MMA, it’s all up to your own perspective. Never the less Jon is one of the GOAT’s. He has handled every single man that he has fought, and has never been in deep water before. From strangling Lyoto Machida, tearing apart Chael Sonnen, his two great fights with DC, and the man who has taken him the furthest, Alex Gustafsson. Jon has conquered them all, yes even Matt Hamil, the man who has technically beaten Jon because Bones was disqualified for 12-6 elbows.
It matters not. Jon has the most unique skill set of any fighter ever and he can perform at an elite level at anything he does. Alex Gustafsson will have his hands full and them some, but we already knew this.
Glory is Fingertips Away
With a miraculous win on Saturday, Alex Gustafsson will reach something that has eluded him since he’s been with the UFC – a championship. The Mauler has had two opportunities in the past at the 205 belt but has came up short both times, the first against Jon Jones, and the second being against Daniel Cormier.
Alex Gustafsson has what it takes to become a UFC champion, we know this. We have watched him go to work several times against top notch competition and clearly be a step above. He just hasn’t been able to capture the big one. Just going back to his last fight against Glover Teixeira, he was dominant and he looked the best he’s ever looked inside the octagon. His first fight against Jon was one for the ages, and we can only hope that the second will provide the same fireworks.
Alex’s striking is some of the best out there, in particular his boxing. He can also grapple and work on the ground with the best of ’em. He has shown us everything we’ve needed to see – he’s a world champion caliber fighter – he just hasn’t ever had the belt.
Prediction
You’d be a fool to go against Jon Jones. He has never shown a sign of losing inside the octagon – he’s an absolute monster. But if Daniel Cormier can’t do it, there is only one other man who can take down Bones. That man is Alex Gustafsson.
I’m gonna go with Gustafsson here. Foolish, possibly. Alex can hang with Jon in every department, and I really think that Jon is underestimating The Mauler just like he did the first fight. I’ll take Alex to steal the first couple of round on the feet, and eventually win the fight on points, as he avoids the heap of pressure that Jon will throw at him in the later part of the fight.
No doubt I could see Jon coming back and starching him, but i’m gonna go against the grain on this one. GUS FOR THE UPSET!
Prediction: Gustafsson via decision
