Five reasons to watch UFC 246, with the return of Conor McGregor against Donald Cerrone

The wait is over. Ultimate is back after almost a month of vacation and, right away, it offers fans a great show that takes place this Saturday (18), with the UFC 246, in Las Vegas (USA). With 12 fights, the card promises to lift the public at the T-Mobile Arena and brings as 'icing on the cake' the return of one of the biggest names in MMA today, Conor McGregor in fight against Donald Cerrone.

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Without fighting since he was defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov, at UFC 229, in October 229, the 'Notório' will share the spotlight of the night with Cerrone. Coming from defeats, both athletes seek redemption in their successful careers and still aim for great things within the sport.

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In addition to the main stars, Brazilians will have one more reason to watch this weekend's show. In the first fight on the main card, Carlos Diego Ferreira will exchange forces with a great sports icon, Anthony Pettis.

To get into the spirit of the event, the team at SUPER FIGHTS selected five reasons to watch the UFC 246. Check out:

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1) McGregor returns to the Octagon

C. McGregor poses with his old belts. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc

Since debuting for Ultimate in April 2013, Conor McGregor he was already different from the other athletes present in the organization. With a provocative style and unquestionable technical quality, the Irishman needed five appearances to win the interim featherweight title (up to 65,7kg) and then beat the legendary José Aldo, becoming the linear champion.

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By defeating the Brazilian, Conor became a true star of the organization, breaking pay-per-view sales records and consolidating himself as one of the biggest names in the history of MMA today. After becoming featherweight champion, the Irishman went further. The fighter took a chance on the lightweight division and once again lifted the company belt in the top division.

The 'Notório' great phase, however, would fade after the athlete retired from the sport in 2017. The fighter once again became an attraction when he got a fight against Floyd Mayweather, one of the biggest names in boxing history. Conor ended up defeated, but won millions of dollars in the confrontation.

In 2018, the surprise. The athlete decided to return to MMA to try to regain the lightweight title, which was taken away from the fighter due to inactivity within the company. In a clash against Khabib Nurmagomedov, in October 2018, McGregor ended up dominated by the Russian and was unable to overcome his rival's skills in grappling.

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In 2019, the Irishman signaled that he could return to the sport during the year, however, the fact was not consolidated and was only confirmed for the beginning of 2020, after more than a year away.

For his return, Conor must prove against Donald that he is still capable of performing at a high level and performing like he did a few years ago, when he caught the eyes of mixed martial arts fans.

2) Donald Cerrone: 51 fights

D. Cerrone completes 51 fights in UFC 246. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC

In this Saturday, Donald Cerrone will complete an impressive milestone in his successful MMA career. In addition to earning one of the biggest payments of his career – if not the biggest – the North American has made 51 appearances since making his professional debut in MMA.

Former challenger for the lightweight title (up to 70,3kg), Donald is one of the company's most charismatic athletes. Known for always being willing to perform in the octagon, the 'Cowboy' is not going through the best phase of his career. The fighter comes from two consecutive defeats in the division currently reigned by Kamaru Usman, but, to face McGregor, the American agreed to return to welterweight (up to 77kg.) and will try to get back on the path to victory.

Close to turning 37, Donald is looking to achieve his 37th victory in his career this weekend. The athlete has 13 defeats and one draw on his official record.

3) 'Notorious' x 'Cowboy', duel of icons

C. McGregor (left) and D. Cerrone (right) facing the UFC 246. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc

Coming from a defeat, the dispute between McGregor and Donald goes beyond a clash with million-dollar figures. Although the two fighters make no secret of the fact that they operate with big checks in mind, when they step into the Octagon, both the Irishman and the North American are capable of putting on shows that will lift the audience.

Apparently, this Saturday will be no different. Although the combatants have adopted a respectful stance, free from provocation, nothing will prevent the athletes from doing their best to emerge victorious when the referee authorizes the start of the contest.

In 2019, Cerrone was on the front line for a future title fight, however, the American faced two crucial fights for that to come to fruition. In June, the 'Cowboy' agreed to exchange forces against Tony Ferguson, but ended up beaten by his compatriot. Three months later, Donald was already seen in a duel against Justin gaethje and, again, he was defeated, occupying fifth place in the ranking and far from facing the current champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Even without fighting for over a year, Conor continued to be among the elite of the lightweight category. Defeated by Khabib in his last appearance, the Irishman currently occupies fourth place in the group and, even with a dispute between the welterweights, a victory could put the Irishman back in a position to challenge the winner between the Russian and Ferguson, who face each other on April 18, at UFC 249.

4) Holly Holm and the attempt at redemption

H. Holm needs to win again in UFC 246. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC

The North American, Holly holm He was at the top of the MMA world once. Known for being the athlete to have dethroned the legendary Ronda Rousey, in 2015, the fighter gained fame for sporting the belt that belonged to what was once considered the best athlete in the history of mixed martial arts among women.

However, at the same speed that fame embraced the 'Pastor's Daughter', the star saw his 'empire' collapse and ended up falling in his first title defense, when he was submitted by Miesha TateIn 2016.

After the hard setback, Holm played on six more occasions, but ended up being defeated four times; the last, in a duel against Amanda nunes, again for the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg.).

At 38 years old, it has to be said that Holly should retire from the sport, however, this Saturday, against Rachel Pennington, the North American will try to show that she can still bear fruit in MMA and be competitive within Ultimate.

Rival of the former champion, Pennington is looking to score her second consecutive triumph. The athlete comes from a positive result against Irene aldana and left two consecutive setbacks behind.

5) Diego Ferreira and the biggest challenge in his career

Carlos Diego wins in ufc austin. Photo: Twitter / UFC Brazil

First Brazilian to play for Ultimate this year, Carlos Diego Ferreira You're about to make a dream come true. At the UFC 246, the Amazonian will face the challenge of defeating the former lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis.

Against a sports icon, Diego wants to win to get into the organization's spotlight once and for all. Coming from five victories, the Tupiniquim's recent record could help and make the crisis in Pettis' career increase.

Owner of the belt between 2013 and 2015, Anthony is known worldwide in MMA for the powerful blows he delivers in his fights. With three defeats in his last five appearances, the 32-year-old American, however, is still capable of putting on great shows and surprising his rivals, as happened in his last triumph, when he defeated the promising Stephen Thompson with a flying punch, in March last year.