This Saturday is UFC 256, the last PPV of the year. A very nice card from top to bottom; we should be in store for a great night of fights. Fan favorite Cub Swanson is fighting in the preliminary main event against Daniel Pineda to kick things off. UFC 256 also features the beginning of an unofficial lightweight title eliminator series and the return of Tony Ferguson. To close the show we will see Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo make his second title defense within four weeks of his last victory. How will the quick turnaround affect the champ?
#7 “Cigano” Junior dos Santos (21-8) vs #14 Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane (6-0)
Heavyweight
UFC boss Dana White isn’t playing around on the last PPV of the year. In the first fight of the main card we get to see some heavy hitters. Future hall of famer Junior dos Santos will look to win his first bout since March 2019. His three fight losing streak all come at the hands of the best the heavyweight division has to offer. Cyril Gane comes into this fight undefeated. But JDS will be a much tougher opponent than anyone he has faced to date. I’ll take Junior dos Santos by first round TKO.
.@Junior_Cigano won’t retire from MMA until his UFC title dream is dead: “It’s not the time right now.”#UFC256 | Full interview: https://t.co/3lzoqFDYCK pic.twitter.com/Pqzws3Rwwk
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) December 10, 2020
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (26-8 1NC) vs #15 “Trailblazer” Kevin Holland (20-5)
Middleweight
Now that the giants have cleared the ring we can move on to our next fight. Kevin Holland looks to take a step into deeper waters facing the always dangerous “Jacare” Souza. Holland is riding a four fight win streak while Souza has dropped his last two. “Jacare” is one of the premier grapplers in the world and another future hall of famer. At age 42 how much does he have left in the tank? Holland being 28 years old and having a nine inch reach advantage could spell trouble for the Brazilian Icon. I see Kevin Holland winning by split decision.
.@Trailblaze2top would love to challenge @GamebredFighter for the BMF Title after #UFC256:
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 10, 2020
“You’ve got to take the belt from the person who owns the belt… But, I have to build my clout before I get a guy like Jorge.”
Watch full interview: https://t.co/xdlp8amPoj pic.twitter.com/8W5sTnY4QY
Renato Moicano (14-3-1) vs Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (8-1)
Lightweight
In what looks like the fight to go get more beer during, those who stick around could be in for a treat. Moicano and Fiziev may not be close to the 155 pound title picture. But these are two tough dudes looking to spark some momentum going into 2021. Moicano had been fighting the elites of the featherweight division before moving to lightweight. After a successful debut at 155 pounds another win here should set him up for a top 15 fight to start 2021. Fiziev is coming into the fight on a two fight win streak. His last victory came via decision against the always tough Marc Diakiese. A victory here should gain Fiziev some division relevance heading into the new year. I see this one going to a split decision in favor of Renato Moicano.
He is The One ?
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 9, 2020
Can @RafaelFiziev enter the Matrix once again at #UFC256? pic.twitter.com/ctC4wGasCL
#3 “El Cucuy” Tony Ferguson (26-4) vs #7 “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (29-8)
Lightweight Co-Main Event
If you left on the beer run during the last fight I hope you made it back for this one. Tony Ferguson returns to face Charles Oliveira in the first of what might be a lightweight title eliminator series. Both of these men have been around the block and have faced top competition for years. Oliveira is coming to fight riding a seven fight win streak dating back to 2017. However, this is Oliveira’s first real taste of lightweight title contention. Ferguson was on a massive hot streak winning 12 straight fights before losing to Justin Gaethje earlier this year. “El Cucuy” is as tough as they come and after seven months off to heal he should be back to 100 percent. I feel Tony Ferguson gets back on track at UFC 256. Winning via third round submission.
Fight Week preparation in true @TonyFergusonXT style! ? #UFC256 pic.twitter.com/B7SVREL2xU
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) December 10, 2020
C “Deus da Guerra” Deiveson Figueiredo (20-1) vs #1 “The Assassin Baby” Brandon Moreno (18-5-1)
Flyweight Championship Main Event
Our main event of UFC 256 features two of the best the 125 pound division has to offer. Both of these fighters have been busy recently having fought 14 fights between them since the start of 2019. Deiveson Figueiredo has been destroying his competition as of late. He displays the striking power of a featherweight that causes trouble for anybody he fights. Brandon Moreno should look to get this fight to the ground as much as possible if his reach advantage and stand up game isn’t working. Even though Moreno has my favorite nickname on the card I don’t see this fight going well for him. I think Deiveson Figueiredo continues his domination of the flyweight division and wins by second round knockout.
The two best at 125! Who leaves on Saturday night with the ??
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2020
[ #UFC256 – LIVE on #ESPNPlus PPV ]
If you need other sports action to keep you entertained until the next fight night head you should check out the rest of the Belly Up Sports team. The NBA season is starting soon and the Hoops Department has been working hard. Find me on Twitter and let me know how you see the fights going this weekend.
