Two UFC events to look out for in the coming months
The UFC, and MMA in general, has come a very long way from its humble beginnings. For a while, it seemed as it might always be, very wrongly, seen as a step down from boxing, as the ugly sister of professional boxing and as a sport that is not taken seriously. It was something fighters did before moving onto something like wrestling, boxing or any other ‘real sport.’ Being a UFC fan was not something everyone wanted to admit to and shouting from the rooftops that you thought MMA was better than boxing is not something anyone was doing.
However, it has clearly hit the mainstream, it is a really popular sport with celebrity fighters whose names are known across the world. From Ronda Rousey to Conor McGregor, these people are household names.
You can see how far it has come in the fact it has a video game, in the fact that it is on mainstream television as well as because you can bet on it. Real sports are always welcomed into a special club in the betting markets where they are clearly treated with respect and with thought by bookmakers. There are even websites with betting tips for MMA such is its popularity. Years ago you wouldn’t have anyone in the betting community writing about UFC or MMA bouts but now they are everywhere and they are very helpful for anyone looking to make some money from watching MMA. It is one of the most exciting and interesting sports out there with a proper worldwide following.
One of the only issues with the UFC becoming so popular is the fact that there are so many high quality bouts and events being put on that it can be hard to know where to start when considering which ones to watch, as well as to keep up with, as there are so many new and exciting fight announcements. In order to help you out, we thought it would make sense to highlight two of the best upcoming events. Two UFC events that have to be seen, that you have to write in your calendar now and that you have to ensure you make preparations for the big nights as soon as possible.
UFC 223
This one is going to be special, it has a card that is utterly amazing in its depth and, more importantly, it has a headlining fight worthy of any card that has come before it. It will feature a bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, both of whom are excellent fighters in great form. In the spirited tradition of UFC, Nurmagomedov’s manager has decided to raise the stakes by claiming that his client will beat Ferguson so badly that he will never fight again. There is clearly no love lost between these two and it will be a fight for the ages when they lock horns on April 7th in Brooklyn.
UFC 223 also features a co-headline fight with Rose Namajunas, the current strawweight champion, taking on the number one contender Joanna Jedrzejczyk who will be looking to add to Namajunas three defeats and take the title. Several of the other fights on the card also look as if they will be very exciting, with Ray Borg vs Brandon Moreno looking particularly juicy.
UFC 226
UFC 226 is not for a little while, but fans are already counting down the days to what is sure to be one of the years great fights. So far only one fight has been announced but if this was the one and only fight on the card on July 7th, then fans packed into the arena in Las Vegas would not be disappointed. Stipe Miocic is set to take on Daniel Cormier, with one currently holding the heavyweight belt and the other the light heavyweight belt, it will be a barnstormer with two champions putting their reputations on the line in order to prove themselves to be the ultimate heavyweight.
Cormier will move up to heavyweight and will aim to become on the second ever fighter to be a champion in two weight divisions at the same time. It would be spectacular if he could pull it off. However he will come up against a really top fighter in Miocic who has already seen off three challengers to his title and will be eager to make it four.
