Five reasons to watch UFC 210, this Saturday

Comier (left) and Johnson (right) take part in the main fight of UFC 210. Photo: Josh Hedges

Ultimate arrives in Buffalo (USA), this Saturday (8), for UFC 210. In the main fight of the night, Daniel Cormier puts his belt on the line against Anthony Johnson, who will have the opportunity to reach the highest place in the category for the second time. The duel is a rematch, as the current champion already beat the challenger in 2015, at UFC 187.

The event will also feature the participation of Brazilians Thiago Pitbull e Charles of the Bronx, who seek to return to the path of victories.

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In the second most important fight of the night, the former middleweight champion Chris Weidman tries to end the bad phase of two consecutive defeats against the packed Gegard Mousasi, which comes from four consecutive victories. Still on the main card, the Brazilians Thiago Pitbull e Charles of the Bronx take action against Patrick Côté and Will Brooks, respectively.

To get you in the mood for UFC 210, the SUPER FIGHTS prepared five reasons for you to attend the event.

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1 – Cormier x Johnson for the belt – Part 2

D. Cormier (left) faces A. Johnson (right) before the rematch (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

Since Jon Jones was caught in an anti-doping test and removed from the scene, the leading role in the light heavyweight category began to be divided between two names: Daniel Cormier e Anthony Johnson, who already faced each other in May 2015, when the current champion got the better of him and submitted him in the third round. Now, 23 months later, the duo meet again to define, once again, who is the best in the world at 93kg. The dispute could have even taken place last December, but an injury to DC postponed the plans.

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Since winning the belt, Cormier has only stepped into the Octagon twice, having only defended his title. The fight in question was against Alexander Gustafson. After 25 minutes of great emotion and balance, Cormier secured the number 1 spot in the judges' split decision. Subsequently, Daniel came close on two occasions to achieving the long-awaited rematch against Jon Jones. First at UFC 197, but a new injury prevented him from performing, and then it was his rival's turn to abandon ship with just three days to go before the fight, being replaced by Anderson Silva, whom Cormier defeated without much difficulty.

Johnson, in turn, remained more active than his opponent, taking action on three occasions. The outcome was the same every time: opponents knocked out – Jimi Manuwa, Ryan bader e Glover Teixeira, respectively. In his last challenge, he even needed just 13 seconds to erase the Brazilian with a single blow, reaffirming his status as one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. This Saturday, he will have a second chance to prove that he is not a 'man of almost', and can, in fact, reach the highest place on the podium.

2 – Opposite phases, single objective

Weidman (left) and Mousasi (right) have their eyes on the middleweight belt (Photos: UFC/Montage: Super Lutas)

Weidman (left) and Mousasi (right) eyeing the middleweight belt (Photo: UFC/ Super Lutas)

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Just over a year ago, the realities of Chris Weidman e Gegard Mousasi They were completely opposite to those we live today. The first still reigned in the middleweight category, while the second was coming off a defeat against the overrated Uriah Hall. Today, however, the scenario has reversed.

Going through the worst phase of his career, Weidman has not tasted victory since May 2015, when he knocked out Vitor belfort at UFC 187. Since then, he has lost his unbeaten record and been knocked out on two occasions: against Luke Rockhold, when he was dethroned, and in front of Yoel romero, last November. A third stumble in a row puts the 'All American's' credibility into question, so winning again is essential if the Brazilian executioner still wants to remain relevant in the elite.

Mousasi, in turn, is experiencing a magical moment. Since he was surprised by Hall, he has achieved four positive results: Thales leites, Thiago Marreta, Vitor belfort and took revenge on the 'Ambulance Man'. The detail is that of the quartet, only Thales survived the 15 minutes. At 31 years old, the Armenian-Dutch has the chance to show that he belongs to the cream of the crop, finally fulfilling all the expectations created around his name.

3 – Thiago Pitbull looking for recovery

Pitbull comes from two consecutive defeats. (Photo: Buda Mendes/ UFC)

One of the most experienced Brazilians working in Ultimate, Thiago Alves, Pitbull, is far from being the fighter who almost eight years ago had the opportunity to win the welterweight world title, when he was defeated by Georges St Pierre at UFC 100. Today the reality is different, and the Ceará native is fighting to become relevant again at 77kg.

With two consecutive defeats to Carlos Condit e Jim Miller (as a lightweight), Pitbull hasn't known what it's like to win since January 2015. On that occasion, he knocked out Jordan Mein and, consequently, showed signs that he could regain his past shine. In the UFC since 2005, his resume is filled with 13 positive results and eight negative results, always attracting attention for his sharp muay thai and aggressive style.

To get back on the path to victory, he will have to overcome another veteran and former challenger: Canadian Patrick Côtê, who is also looking to turn things around after being knocked out by Donald Cerrone last year. In theory, the confrontation has everything to be exciting for fans, and should define who will rise again in their career.

4 – To scare away the bad phase

Do Bronx is going through a delicate phase in the UFC (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

Just like his welterweight compatriot, Charles of the Bronx is also going through a delicate phase. With three defeats in his last four fights, coupled with his history of weight problems, the jiu-jitsu ace is at serious risk of dismissal in the event of a new setback. The fight with the scales was decisive for the Brazilian to return to lightweight.

Number 9 in the featherweight rankings, From the Bronx, in Ultimate since 2010, he has always alternated between good and bad moments, totaling nine positive results and seven negatives, which earned him the status of 'gatekeeper' of the elite, as he always got complicated when he faced better ranked opponents. Against Will Brooks, he will have the chance to prove, once again, that he deserves to be among the best.

But don't think it will be easy. Former Bellator lightweight champion, Brooks is considered a complete fighter, efficient on the feet and on the ground. Coming from defeat to Alex Cowboy, the North American also needs to prove his worth, which should result, in theory, in a lively fight against the Chute Boxe São Paulo athlete.

5 – Prospects in action

Jury (left), Usman (center) and Strickland (right) will fight at UFC 210 (Photos: UFC/Montage: Super Fights)

Jury (left), Usman (center) and Strickland (right) fight at UFC 210 (Photo: UFC)

In addition to the four highlighted above, there are some interesting names to keep an eye on in the preliminary portion, especially three of them, two of which are dueling against each other.

The first is prospect Myles Jury. A participant in TUF 15, the former lightweight and now featherweight made his UFC debut in 2012, with a submission over Chris Saunders. He then scored five more triumphs, including names like Michael Johnson, Diego Sanchez and Takanori Gomi, remaining undefeated and 100% in his career, with 15 victories. The good phase, however, was interrupted with two stumbles against Donald Cerrone and Charles Oliveira. Now, against the limited Mike De La Torre, Jury, at 28 years old, will try to regain his former prestige.

The welterweight duel between Kamaru Usman e Sean Strickland could perfectly appear in the main portion of the show, mainly because they are two fighters considered the future of the division.

TUF 21 champion, Usman doesn't know what it's like to lose in the company. With four victories, the most recent over the Brazilian Warlley alves, the Nigerian quickly rose from anonymity to be among the 15 best in the world at 77kg – he is in 11th position in the ranking. With dominant performances and a great physical size for his weight, Kamaru continues to take big steps towards the elite.

Strickland, in turn, has already felt the bitter taste of defeat in the UFC, but only once, the only setback of his career. Since 2014 in the franchise, he has triumphed five of the six times he has entered the Octagon, only being stopped by Santiago Ponzinibbio. Out of the rankings and with an 18-1 record, the 26-year-old North American knows that being successful in his next challenge will mean a place among the top 15.