UFC Oklahoma brings lightweights on the title route and former champions in action this Sunday

Chiesa (left) and Lee (right) face each other (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/danawhite)

Even though the lightweight champion Conor McGregor If he's focused on his superfight with Floyd Mayweather, it's unlikely he won't see UFC Oklahoma this Sunday (25). That's because two of the best fighters in the world at 70 kg. and possible future opponents of the “Notorious” will be in action. Winner of the 15th season of The Ultimate Fighter, Michael chiesa faces Kevin Lee in the main fight.

See too

After confusion at a press conference, Chiesa says he is not angry with Lee

BJ Penn and Vitor Miranda are underdogs in UFC Oklahoma betting

Video: Vitor Miranda minimizes downtime and promises knockout in return at UFC Oklahoma

In addition to a duel that will bring the winner close to the title, UFC Oklahoma features two fighters who have already had a taste of holding the belt. B.J. Penn, one of the few champions in two weight categories (lightweight and welterweight) returns to the Octagon against Dennis Siver after an embarrassing defeat to Yair Rodríguez.

PUBLICITY:

Yes, John hendricks, who won the welterweight title in 2014 but soon lost the belt in a rematch with Robbie Lawler and never came close to the crown again, he seeks to continue his reinvention at middleweight. “Big Rigg” faces Tim Boetsch, who was once a light heavyweight and cuts a lot of weight to fight at 84 kg, unlike Hendricks. In addition to the three main attractions, UFC Oklahoma will see the return of the Brazilian Vitor miranda, which seeks to return to the path of victories against Marvin vettori after succumbing to Chris Camozzi just over a year ago, in May 2016.

Near the top in lightweight

Chiesa (left) and Lee (right) provoked each other at a press conference (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/motownphenom)

PUBLICITY:

So much Kevin Lee as Michael chiesa see themselves as capable of winning Conor McGregor and other big lightweight names, such as Tony Ferguson e Khabib Nurmagomedov. Before they enter the division's shark tank for good, however, one of them will have to take a step back, as whoever wins the main fight of UFC Oklahoma could ask for a confrontation against a top-5 fighter in the category.

To try to get a mental edge before the fight, Lee provoked Chiesa's mother during a press conference that the UFC organized to announce its main fights for the North American summer. “Maverick” got angry and attacked “Motown Phenom”, who punched him before the two separated. Despite having gotten the “worst” in the first interaction between the two, Chiesa guarantees that he is focused.

PUBLICITY:

“He thinks he has some kind of mental advantage over me, but he is very mistaken. He’s just a kid, I was laughing about it, there’s no animosity,” assures Chiesa.

It remains to be seen whether the lack of animosity will remain when the Octagon closes for the UFC Oklahoma main event.

Former champions in action

BJ hasn't won since 2010 (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube/UFC)

PUBLICITY:

The challenge for B.J. Penn e John hendricks, who face Dennis Siver and Tim Boetsch respectively, is to prove that they can remain relevant in their respective divisions.

Former lightweight and welterweight champion, BJ debuted at featherweight in 2014, when he was dominated by Frankie Edgar. Three years later, he decided to return, this time against Yair Rodríguez, who also went over the Hawaiian. Facing Siver, a worthy opponent for the current moment in his career, Penn could achieve his first victory since 2010.

Hendricks is not at the same level as BJ, as he is coming off a narrow victory over Hector Lombard on his debut at middleweight. However, only a triumph over the dangerous and heavier Boetsch can keep him dreaming of a chance at the belt, which he currently holds Michael Bisping. Boetsch is coming off a defeat to Ronaldo Jacare, one of the best in the division, and beating “Barbarian” quickly could put Big Rigg close to the top 10.

Fresh start for 'Lex Luthor'

Vitor is the only Brazilian on the UFC Oklahoma card (Photo: Reproduction /Facebook VitorMiranda)

Vitor is the only Brazilian at UFC Oklahoma (Photo: Reproduction /Facebook VitorMiranda)

Coming off a disappointing defeat to Marvin vettori, the average weight Vitor miranda will represent Brazil at UFC Oklahoma with the burden of needing to win to remain relevant in the division. Facing the Italian, “Lex Luthor” will find a striker with a good ground game, but he hopes to overwhelm his opponent with his stand-up quality.

In an interview with SUPER LUTAS, Vitor assured that he will seek the knockout and minimized the time outside the octagon: his defeat to Chris Camozzi occurred in May 2016 – 13 months ago.

“My strategy will be the same as my victories. All the guys I faced fought well standing up, but from the moment they are with me in the octagon and realize that I have more capacity to win the fight standing up, they try to put me on the ground. It's going to be the same story, so I'm working towards that. Stay upright, move forward, aggressive and play my game. (…) It will be a knockout, God willing. There’s no mistake”, commented the Brazilian.