Watch UFC 209 this Saturday

Woodley (left) and Thompson (right) drew at UFC 205 in November. (Photo: Getty Images)

Woodley (left) and Thompson (right) have a rematch at UFC 209 (Photo: Getty Images)

Ultimate returns to Las Vegas, this Saturday (4), for UFC 209 full of important fights. Initially the show would feature two title fights: Tyron woodley against Stephen Thompson in rematch after the draw at UFC 205 and Khabib Nurmagomedov would put their undefeated record on the line against Tony Ferguson, with the winner being crowned interim lightweight champion.

However, a health problem for Nurmagomedov during the weight cut canceled the duel with Ferguson. The duel between Woodley and Thompson has been confirmed and remains the main attraction of UFC 209. Thus, the only female fight on the show, between Cynthia calvillo and Amanda Cooper, was promoted to the main card.

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In addition to the welterweight title fight, UFC 209 has other interesting duels. The return of Mark Hunt, which after an imbroglio with Ultimate itself in court, faces alistair overeem, in addition to the debut of the former light heavyweight champion Rashad evans between the midfielders and the presence of Brazilians Iuri Marajó and Luiz Henrique KLB. The two face Luke sanders e Marcin tybura, respectively. Responsible for one of the most beautiful knockouts of 2016, the promising Lando vannata faces David Teymur in the lightweight division.

To get you in the mood for UFC 209, the SUPER FIGHTS prepared five reasons for you to attend the event.

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1 – Decisive rematch

T. Woodley (left) and S. Thompson (right) pose for photos (PHOTO: Juan Cardenas/Getty Images)

T. Woodley (left) and S. Thompson (right) pose for photos (PHOTO: Getty Images)

The first duel between Tyron woodley e Stephen Thompson served as the co-main event of the historic UFC 205. The rare draw led to a rematch, despite names like Demian Maia are knocking on the door for the welterweight title to go its way. UFC 209 will be the perfect opportunity for champion and challenger to resolve their differences once and for all, as each thinks they won the first duel.

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The second time, however, the pressure is on both sides. The champion Tyron woodley He is upset about having kept the belt without being able to beat his opponent. Thompson already knows that if he doesn't defeat his rival decisively, he won't have another chance to become world champion anytime soon.

Despite the draw, the first duel between the two was full of emotion, with Woodley landing hard blows in the first and fourth rounds and Wonderboy coming back very well, especially in the fifth round, after almost being submitted. Now, leaving the result to the side judges should be avoided at all costs, which will bring new excitement to the main fight of UFC 209.

2 – Duel of giants

A. Overeem (left) catches M. Hunt (right) (PHOTO: Brandon Magnus/Getty Images)

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The second big attraction of UFC 209 opens the main card and will feature a rematch between two of the best strikers in the history of the heavyweight division. So much Mark Hunt as alistair overeem they won the K-1 GP, the biggest kickboxing tournament in the world. In MMA, the two faced each other at DREAM, with the Dutchman winning by submission.

Almost nine years later, however, the two arrive at Ultimate at similar times. Overeem lost his last fight to the champion Stipe Miocic, while Hunt was defeated by Brock Lesnar inside the Octagon, but the duel was unsuccessful after the American was caught taking anti-doping tests.

The New Zealander's situation is a little worse, however. Despite officially not losing to Lesnar, Hunt entered into a legal dispute with the UFC, accusing the company of having helped Lesnar dope. Super Samoan also accuses Ultimate of forcing him to accept the duel with Overeem. In case of another defeat for the Dutchman, he could say goodbye to the UFC, especially due to the process, which is still in the North American courts.

3 – Former champion Rashad Evans debuts at middleweight

R. Evans (left) faces D. Kelly (right) (PHOTO: Brandon Magnus/Getty Images)

One of the few champions in UFC history to reach the title undefeated, Rashad evans He drops from light heavyweight to middleweight for the first time at UFC 209. He faces former Olympic judoka Dan Kelly in his first fight at 84 kg. But “Suga’s” road to middleweight was not an easy one.

And that has nothing to do with the difference of almost 10 kg. between its original and current division. Initially, Evans would make his middleweight debut against Tim Kennedy at UFC 205. However, a problem with his pre-fight exams prevented the New York Commission from approving his license. The fight moved to UFC 206, but he was also rejected in Canada. Finally, it was found that Rashad's exams were analyzed incorrectly by his doctors and now he will finally be able to fight again.

Against Kelly, Evans hopes to start a run for the middleweight title, in possession of Michael Bisping, whom the American already beat when they were both at light heavyweight. Whether it will work, only time will tell. But a victory against the average Australian judoka is fundamental to the former champion's plans.

4 – Another Groovy show?

L. Vannata (right) knocked out J. Makdessi (left) (PHOTO: Brandon Magnus/ Getty Images)

Owner of one of the most beautiful knockouts of last year, “Groovy” Lando vannata, which turned off John makdessi with a round kick at UFC 206, he returns to the octagon against David Teymur. The North American made a splash in his UFC debut, when he almost knocked out Tony Ferguson having been called up with less than a month to prepare. After the brilliant knockout over Makdessi, Vannata is already seen as a future top-10 player in the lightweight category.

Facing Vannata, Swedish Teymur tries to stop his rival's rise. The two exchanged provocations during the official weigh-in and had to be separated by UFC president, Dana White. David Teymur has a record of just six fights, with five wins and one loss, but he impressed in the two fights he fought for Ultimate, knocking out compatriot Martin Svensson and North American Jason Novelli. Teymur was a member of the Conor McGregor on TUF 22 and won two fights before being defeated by Marcin Wrzosek.

5 – Brazilians in action

Marajó faces Sanders at UFC 209. (Photo: Getty Images)

Even though UFC 209 will not feature Brazilian stars, the event will feature two fighters from Brazil in the preliminary portion. The bantamweight Iuri Marajó will try to start a winning streak against the undefeated Luke sanders and the heavyweight Luiz Henrique KLB will try to surprise the dangerous Pole Marcin tybura.

Despite having a career marked by ups and downs in Ultimate, Marajó is coming off an excellent victory over the English veteran Brad pickett and tries to rise again in the 61 kg division. after suffering setbacks to Jimmie rivera and Frankie Saenz. Among his last two defeats, he beat compatriot Leandro Issa.

KLB has a different mission. After a negative start, with a devastating defeat for the top Francis Ngannou By knockout in the first round, the Brazilian lifted the dust and won two important victories, over Dmitry Smoliakov and against Christian Colombo. If he manages to surprise Tybura, KLB can dream of entering the rankings in the 120 kg division.