Watch UFC 218 and Aldo x Holloway rematch

Aldo (left) seeks to regain title from Holloway (right) (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufc_brasil)

It's time for UFC 218, an event that takes place this Saturday (02), in the city of Detroit (USA). The fight program features a card full of fights that could define the future of their respective categories in Ultimate, in addition to the participation of three Brazilians. The main duel of the night will feature a rematch for the featherweight belt: the champion Max Holloway puts your title on the line against José Aldo, defeated by the Hawaiian in their first meeting, in June this year, in Brazil.

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In addition to the fight for the under-66kg title, another important fight is between the heavyweights Francis Ngannou e alistair overeem, which could decide the division's next challenger, a situation similar to that experienced by Henry Cejudo and Sergio Pettis, who compete for a chance to fight for the flyweight belt. Another fight that promises to excite fans is the lightweight duel between Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje.

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On the preliminary card, two Brazilians in action. The first will be Alex Cowboy, who has a welterweight duel with Yancy Medeiros. Next, it's time to Charles of the Bronx to challenge Paul felder light us.

To get you in the mood for UFC 218, check out five reasons why you should watch the event:

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1 – The second chapter between José Aldo and Max Holloway

Aldo (left) has a rematch with Holloway (right) (Photo: Reproduction Instagram ufc)

When José Aldo e Max Holloway were once again face to face in the octagon, it won't just be the featherweight belt that will be at stake. Just for the Brazilian, for example, there will be three challenges at stake, starting with the chance to take revenge on his most recent tormentor, almost exactly six months ago.

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If he wins the rematch with the Hawaiian, Aldo will not only 'wipe' the defeat from his record, but also repeat the history experienced in 2016, when he faced Frankie Edgar at UFC 200, seven months after being dethroned by Conor McGregor, and returned to the top at 66kg. As a bonus, it will stamp, once and for all, your name in the group of the best of all time.

Holloway, in turn, is still far from being considered a legend of the sport, but he is making great strides towards achieving this feat. Undefeated for three years and with an incredible series of 11 consecutive victories, the 'Blessed' wants to prove that the victory achieved in Rio de Janeiro was not by chance. At just 25 years old, Max knows that the positive result consolidates him as a new MMA world star.

2 – Big dog fight

A. Overeem (left) and F. Ngannou (right) fight giants (Photo: Reproduction Youtube ufc)

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alistair overeem x Francis Ngannou It's the typical confrontation that you can't blink. Aggressive and possessing powerful fists, the two heavyweights have one thing in common: stretching their bodies on the ground. In Detroit, the chance of one of them succeeding in the knockout mission is high. Furthermore, the winner places himself as the main candidate for the heavyweight challenger position against the current champion. Stipe Miocic.

Knocked out by Miocic in September 2016, Overeem saw his plans to reach the top fall apart, but the knockout in Mark Hunt and the triumph over Fabricio Werdum, both in 2017, replaced him as one of the main heavyweight threats. More tactically intelligent and hiding the already known fragile chin, The Reem is ready to, once again, shock the world.

New heavyweight sensation, Ngannou still doesn't know what it's like to lose in Ultimate: in five fights, there were one submission and four knockouts, the most recent against Andrei Arlovski, in January. Known for his agility and extreme punching power, the Cameroonian based in France wants to prove, once and for all, that he has arrived to be a star in the heaviest category on the planet.

3 – Promise of anarchy

Alvarez (left) seeks recovery against Gaethje (right) (Photo: Youtube Reproduction ufc)

Expect nothing less than a lot of aggression and a duel full of twists and turns between Eddie Alvarez and Justin gaethje, coaches on season 26 of The Ultimate Fighter. Members of the top 5 lightweight divisions, the two are passionate about their technique in the octagon, almost always staging memorable battles for the public, especially those who have just arrived at the venue.

With a 100% success rate in 18 professional fights, Gaethje doesn't need the microphone to promote himself, as his numbers (15 knockouts) and performances speak for themselves. His debut in Ultimate, in July this year, when he knocked out Michael Johnson in the best fight of 2018 so far, it was a great calling card for the former WSOF champion.

Alvarez, on the other hand, needs to regain the prestige he achieved while winning the Bellator and UFC titles. Although his performances in the biggest octagon in the world were not eye-catching, his ability to shine is undeniable – Rafael dos Anjos let him say it. If he makes peace with victory, he will reposition himself as one of the top lightweights today.

4 – Experience x Youth

Cejudo (left) has experience over Pettis (right) (Photo: Youtube Reproduction ufc)

Main options for the position of challenger to 'unbeatable' Demetrious Johnson, Henry Cejudo and Sergio Pettis will, finally, decide the vacancy 'in hand'. The clash, originally scheduled for UFC 211, in May, pits an experienced competitor against a young promise at 56kg. The curious thing is that if we look at the MMA records, the youngest of the Pettis family has two more fights (16-2 versus 14-2).

However, Cejudo's successful Olympic past gives us the right to place him as the most experienced of the pair. Surpassed only by Johnson and Joseph Benavidez in a highly contested split decision, the Olympic wrestler has been evolving rapidly, especially in his striking, as we can see in the brutal knockout over Wilson reis, In September.

The same can be said of Pettis, who even with just 24 full seasons already shows the maturity of a veteran in the Octagon. The defeats for Alex Caceres and Ryan Benoit, more than two years ago, only served to further polish the American jewel, who has been hiding the holes in his game in search of reaching the level reached by his older brother Anthony Pettis, former lightweight champion.

5 – More Brazil in action

C. Oliveira (left) and A. Cowboy (right) represent Brazil (Photo: Reproduction official UFC website)

Besides José Aldo, two more Brazilians will be in action next Saturday, both in the preliminary portion. The first to climb into the octagon will be Alex Cowboy, who will face Hawaiian Yancy Medeiros. In the top 15 of the welterweight divisions, the Rio native maintains an unbeaten record that has already lasted five fights, including triumphs over renowned names such as Will Brooks, Tim means and Ryan La Flare.

Closing the preliminaries, Charles of the Bronx need to put your jiu-jitsu into practice to get through the aggressive Paul felder, which comes packed with two knockouts. Acting at lightweight, Charlinho, who has already expressed his desire to return to featherweight, wants to maintain the good form he regained in April this year, when he surprised by submitting Will Brooks in less than three minutes. Jiu-jitsu or Muay Thai, which style will prevail?