Watch UFC 216 this Saturday

UFC takes place this Saturday (07), in Las Vegas (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)

After a two-month hiatus, Ultimate returns to Las Vegas, in the United States, for UFC 216, an event that takes place this Saturday (07), and will feature two title fights. In the main event, the lightweights Tony Ferguson e Kevin Lee face each other for the interim belt in the under-70kg category, which has Conor McGregor as the linear champion. The winner of the dispute could be the Irishman's next opponent.

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Werdum, Ferguson and Johnson are betting favorites for UFC 216

In the second most important attraction of the night, Demetrious Johnson puts his legacy on the line against challenger Ray Borg. This will be the 11th time that DJ will put the flyweight belt on the line, but the scenario is special: if he triumphs, he will break the record for defenses of Anderson Silva, who held the middleweight title for ten consecutive fights. Still in the main portion of the show, another former Ultimate champion stands out. The heavy weight Fabricio Werdum tries to return to the path of victories against Derrick Lewis, which also comes from a setback.

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The card will also feature three more Brazilians: the experienced Thales leites and the rookies Poliana Botelho and Kalindra Faria.

To get you in the mood for UFC 216, we've prepared five reasons for you to watch the event.

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1 – Conor McGregor’s next opponent?

Ferguson and Lee fight for the interim belt (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montagem SL)

Conor McGregor will not be in action at UFC 216, but his future could be determined this Saturday night. This because Tony Ferguson e Kevin Lee they compete for the interim belt in the lightweight category, which has the Irishman as the current linear champion. The winner could be the next to cross the path of Notório, who has already shown interest in the duel.

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Number 2 in the rankings, Ferguson earned his place in the sun by recording an incredible streak of nine consecutive victories, including victories like Rafael dos Anjos e Edson Barboza. The chance for the title had already arisen in March of this year, when he would face Khabib Nurmagomedov, but the fight was canceled after the Russian had health problems.

Lee, in turn, has a more modest recent trajectory, with five victories, including submissions against Francisco Massaranduba e Michael chiesa. Loud-mouthed and tough outside the octagon, he benefited from his strong personality, an indispensable characteristic for the company when promoting fights.

“I felt that in the fight between Tony and Khabib they were playing a game of chicken to decide who would give up first. In my head right now, I'm very interested in seeing this fight (Ferguson x Lee) and seeing what the lightweight division will look like. Then I can go in there and correct this situation. That’s what I’m thinking about,” said McGregor.

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2 – Demetrious Johnson one step away from “displacing” Anderson Silva

*By João Vitor Xavier

Johnson has ten title defenses (Photo: Reproduction/ Facebook/UFC)

UFC 216 could also be historic for the flyweight division. Relegated to the background since its creation, the category could have, in its only champion, the most dominant title holder in the organization's history. Case Demetrious Johnson overcome Ray Borg in the co-main fight of this Saturday's show, he will overcome Anderson Silva in title defenses, with 11 in a row.

Since becoming champion at 57 kg, DJ has rarely been in danger. The first fight against John Dodson and the initial round of the duel against Tim Elliott These were the champion's worst moments – very little for someone who lined up 10 challengers and could claim his 11th victim against Ray Borg. If he surpasses the “Spider” mark, the North American will enter a crossroads.

With the division literally wiped out, DJ has two options: stay in the flyweight division and destroy the record for consecutive defenses, or return to bantamweight and try to show that he is truly one of the most dominant lightweight fighters of all time. One of the biggest favorites of the night, DJ will have a lot to think about, whether he wins or loses at UFC 216.

3 – Fabrício Werdum in search of redemption

Werdum wants to fight for the heavyweight belt again (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter UFCBrasil)

What's the best way to forget a defeat? Get a victory right away. This is the current objective of Fabricio Werdum, who wants to leave behind the controversial stumble faced by alistair overeem, last July, and restart his journey for a new chance to compete for the heavyweight belt, which is in the possession of his tormentor Stipe Miocic.

Amid controversies and confusion with Tony Ferguson, the Brazilian will not have an easy task, since Derrick Lewis is also seeking to consolidate itself among the elite. Even though his stand-up weapons are increasingly polished by the hands of master Rafael Cordeiro, Werdum has jiu-jitsu as his greatest asset in dispatching the 'Black Beast'. And if the intention is to 'jump the line' of challengers, it's good that the performance is to fill the eyes of fans and bosses.

“I think with a good fight, a good performance, a good knockout, the fans will say: 'Werdum, you're next'. I believe I should get a title fight”, recently declared the confident and optimistic 'Vai Cavalo'.

4 – More Brazilians in action

Thales, Poliana and Kalindra will be in action (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/Montage: SL)

In addition to Werdum, three more Brazilians will represent Brazil at UFC 216, including two newcomers. The first to climb into the Octagon will be the experienced Thales leites, tries to get back on a winning streak. Alternating good and bad performances in the most recent presentations, including defeats to Michael Bisping e Gegard Mousasi, the 36-year-old from Rio faces the Hawaiian Brad Tavares to prove that he can still upset the middleweight elite, a division in which he occupies 13th place in the rankings. With 15 submission victories under his belt, Thales is not usually forgiving when he takes the fight to the ground.

First Brazilian debutant of the night, at strawweight Poliana Botelho will finally step foot in the biggest octagon in the world for the first time. Hired more than a year ago, the new Brazilian muse arrives at Ultimate surrounded by expectations, even though she has only had six fights as a professional. Created by Nova União, she will need to overcome, in addition to the American Pearl Gonzalez, the lack of rhythm in the game, since her last fight was in September 2015.

Who will also debut in her new job is Kalindra Faria, a last-minute addition to the main card of the event. Former flyweight champion of Titan FC, an important talent pool, the São Paulo native from Taubaté, who has 18 triumphs and five setbacks on her record, is looking for her fourth positive result in a row. To do this, she will have to beat the Italian Mara Romero Borella, which is also arriving at the new home.

5 – It’s worth keeping an eye on

Vannata and Dariush seek recovery (Photo: Reproduction/FacebookMontage: SL)

In addition to the highlights mentioned above, it is also worth keeping an eye on two other names, which, curiously, come from negative results. Considered one of the main new lightweight prospects, Vanatta, 25 years old, almost shocked the world when he debuted against Tony Ferguson, when, before being submitted, he managed two knockdowns. Aggressive and full of personality, he saw his hype increase along with the spectacular knockout inflicted on John makdessi, but the defeat to David Teymur cooled the rookie's spirits. A new good impression in the face of dangerous Bobby Green can put Groovy back in the spotlight.

Opening the preliminary portion, Beneil Dariush He is looking for his ninth triumph in the franchise to confirm once and for all his place among the top ten in the lightweight division. The Muay Thai honed by Rafael Cordeiro, at Kings MMA, and the black belt in jiu-jitsu make the Iranian/American a very complete fighter, who can decide the stoppage in any area of the game. As a challenge, the experienced Evan dunham, a place in the top 15.