UFC 209's Main Event Has Serious Fight Of The Year Potential

Tomorrow, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the score will be settled. The score being a 47-47 draw on November 12th, 2016, in a fight between Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson for Woodley’s Welterweight Championship. Just under four months later, we’re going to see a rematch to determine the rightful title holder, and it’s going to fucking rule.

UFC Welterweight Championship: Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley (c) (+150) vs Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (-150)

If you missed the initial fight and have a spare 20 minutes, watch this:

I can guarantee only one thing about this fight, and it’s that the winner will be whoever made the correct adjustments. “Uhhh ya think?” and “Uh no duh” comments incoming, I know, but there are such important tools from both sides not fully implemented in the first fight that provide a clear path to victory (on paper).

For the defending champ, it’s wrestling. In the first round of the November fight, Woodley caught one of Wonderboy’s signature kicks, turned it into a takedown, and absolutely mauled him on the ground, breaking his nose and bloodying his face. Wonderboy got more cautious with his kicks the rest of the fight, and Tyron never even attempted to go back to his wrestling that was so successful in the opening round. Yes, he has one punch KO power, but the gameplan should be persistent takedowns.

For the challenger, it’s pressing and engaging. Woodley restricted Thompson’s kicks with the scare of another takedown, and his counter-striking by staying against the cage and making Stephen come to him. This time around, Wonderboy needs to throw counterpunching to the side and unleash his furious ninja combos we saw against Johny Hendricks.

Ultimately I favor Wonderboy, as I did in November. I put a lot more trust into his coaching staff and teammates than I do Duke Roufus, and truly believe he is the better all-around fighter. I’ll also admit that I’ve picked against Tyron Woodley for his past 4 wins, and he’s proven me wrong time and time again. I also think Tyron is a dick and that influences my picks.

Suck it, Woodley.

Winner: Stephen Thompson

UFC Interim Lightweight Championship: Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov (-170) vs Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (+165)

Unfortunately, Khabib Nurmagomedov was very unprofessional and could not make weight for his very prestigious interim title fight. Sad! I would be happy to step in on short notice, if Dana would like to make lots of money. I can bulk up to 155lb in the next day and pick up a nice pay check.

I did have a long and detailed breakdown of who I thought would win, along with fool proof reasoning. The fight was not so close that I couldn’t tell. It was not 50/50 and impossible to predict. That was fake news. Thanks.

“Suga” Rashad Evans (-200) vs Daniel Kelly (+200)

Rashad Evans vs Daniel Kelly is my odd fight out of UFC 209, because it’s the only one I can’t give a shit less about. Rashad’s obviously a legend, but it’s time for him to hang it up. Evans last won a fight in November of 2013 against Chael Sonnen, and has only fought twice since. Daniel Kelly, on the other hand, is a much more active fighter with a record of 6-1 since Rashad’s last win. It’s two old guys going at it, in what will likely be a boring decision.

Winner: Daniel Kelly

Lando “Groovy” Vannata (-290) vs David Teymur (+330)

Absolutely love me some Groovy Lando. He came into the UFC on short notice this past Summer to face Tony Ferguson, and put up a HELL of a fight before being submitted in the second round. It was one of those performances in the octagon that will stick with me forever because of the heart shown. His next fight, against John Makdessi, ended in a murder.

David Teymur is a good prospect with heavy hands, but he just doesn’t have the experience to stand with Vannata.

Winner: Lando Vannata

Alistair “The Reem” Overeem (-130) vs Mark “The Super Samoan” Hunt (+125)

Coming off a disasterous online owning from myself (ICYMI), I can’t imagine Overeem is the same fighter he was before. The Super Samoan takes out his aggression on steroid users with a walk off KO on Reem.

Winner: Mark Hunt

Sure, Khabib/Tony being called off knocks this card down a peg, but it’s still well worth the pay per view and I’m very excited for it. All jokes aside, Khabib Nurmagomedov being hospitalized because of his cut is just another case of how dangerous and unnecessary weight cutting really is. It’s time for the sport to make a change for the safety of it’s athletes.