Guide to the Prelims: UFC 249
UFC is officially back for UFC 249 on May 9th in Jacksonville, Florida.
Of course there will be no fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we officially have fights, and sports back. The best part about the return is how crazy this card is.
The main card is stacked, but the rest of the card has PPV-quality fights also. So without further due, your UFC 249 guide to the prelims.
Bryce MitcheLlĀ vs.Ā Charles Rosa (Featherweight)
The fun part about this fight is the bad blood brewing. Both fighters have strong submission games, and there has been some trash talk about who will take who’s arm off. Rosa won in his UFC return after a long layoff via armbar. He was able to get the verbal tap from a strange position, a full display of his opponent never being safe. Mitchell is the perfect match-up, he bring his never die, never tap spirit and some serious ground skills of his own.
I’m not just talking about the twister he learned on youtube in his last fight. This will be fun to watch for all grapple fanatics.
Vicente Luque #13 vs.Ā Niko PricE (Welterweight)
Hold on everyone, I have a feeling this one is going to get wild. Luque is a Fight of the Night machine, it’s a fact. Price is a wild man, and just wants to stand and throw punches. Luque has been more than happy to oblige in recent fights, do not take your eyes off the screen. Not even for a second.
This could be a 15-minute war, or a 30-second explosion.
Aleksei Oleinik #12 vs.Ā Fabricio Werdum (Heavyweight)
This fight was scheduled to happen back in 2018, but it never came to fruition. Werdum has been out of competition since then. He is a former champion and cannot be taken lightly, even after a long layoff.
This match is almost guaranteed to end up on the mat, and that is when the fight begins.Two submission masters will test their skills come fight night!
Carla Esparza #7 vs.Ā Michelle Waterson #8 (Strawweight)
Fans get to see this fight after it was postponed due to COVID. Strawweight appears to have a new queen, who will need some new challengers. The winner here gets put on the fast track to a title opportunity, and would probably need just one more win to earn their shot. Waterson is always entertaining with her stand up Karate game.
She is still looking for her title shot, while Esparza looks to regain her belt from long ago.
Uriah Hall #10 vs.Ā Ronaldo Souza #14 (Middleweight)
This is another rescheduled fight in the wake of COVID. Hall has found a resurgence in his career winning his last 2 fights. He has looked strong and poised to make a run at the belt. He has run into some tough competition, but has found a way to win more often than not. Souza will end the fight at any point, from anywhere. Everyone knows his squeeze is unmatched, and being unafraid of going to the mat lets you fight more freely on the feet and swing wildly. Two veterans showing that they still got it.
The trouble here was trying to figure out which fights to leave off this list. UFC promised a return, and they have put together a card for the ages to make up for the lost time.
Purchase UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje only on ESPN+.
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