Watch UFC 219 Cyborg x Holm

C. Cyborg (left) catches H. Holm (right) at UFC 219 (Photo: Youtube Reproduction ufc)

Ultimate has everything to close 2017 in style! UFC 219, an event that takes place this Saturday (30), in Las Vegas, ends the company's season with Chris Cyborg as the biggest highlight of the promotion. The Curitiba native, candidate to star in the show, defends the featherweight belt against the North American Holly holm. In the co-main fight, there is more Brazil in the Octagon: Edson Barboza measure forces with the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov eyeing a lightweight title shot.

See too

Follow the emotions of UFC 219 with Cris Cyborg x Holly Holm in the main fight. Live!

UFC 219: Cris Cyborg x Holly Holm – Results

Khabib asks UFC to take title from McGregor and praises Edson

In addition to the Brazilians, UFC 219 also features the return of Carlos Condit. The former interim welterweight champion is coming off two defeats and is looking to get back on the winning track against Neil Magny. Still in the main portion of the show, the promising Cynthia calvillo he could also put himself close to the strawweight title if he gets past the former champion Carla esparza.

PUBLICITY:

Finally, in flyweight, the Brazilian Matheus Nicolau returns from suspension against the dangerous Louis Smolka. The duel, which is scheduled for the preliminary card, could put the former TUD Brasil back in the rankings, as Smolka currently occupies 13th place.

1 – Cyborg close to stardom

Cyborg seeks superstar status at UFC 219 (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)

PUBLICITY:

It is not new that the Brazilian Chris Cyborg flirts with MMA stardom, especially in the United States. Living in the country for a few years, the fighter adopted an aggressive stance on social media to become increasingly known in the Land of Uncle Sam. And, in front of Holly holm, she will have the opportunity to become one of the UFC's most famous athletes, regardless of gender or weight category.

Holm reached another level when he shocked the world with his knockout over Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, in November 2015. Even though, since then, the American has had three defeats and one victory, her fame has remained. And Cyborg will be exposed to that audience at UFC 219. Her mix of brutality, stand-up technique and strength have everything to make her a pay-per-view bestseller in the future.

PUBLICITY:

It was this ability that led Ultimate to invest in Cyborg, despite disagreements between the fighter and key figures in the company, such as president Dana White and commentator Joe Rogan. If he successfully defends his belt for the first time, Cris will have overcome another barrier in his history of overcoming and achievements.

2 – Holm can make history

H. Holm (photo) seeks 'two-time championship' Photo: Reproduction Facebook UFC)

If Cyborg is looking for recognition for everything he did to MMA, Holm wants to make history. Former UFC bantamweight champion, she once again has the opportunity to become the first female Ultimate champion in two different categories. She already had another chance – she lost to Germain De Randamie at UFC 208, in the first fight for the featherweight title that she will fight again this Saturday.

PUBLICITY:

If he defeats the overwhelming favorite Cyborg, Holm will repeat the UFC 193 feat and enter a club, which until now, is exclusively male, that of two-time champions. Are they: Georges St Pierre (middleweight and welterweight), Conor McGregor (light and feather), B.J. Penn (welterweight and light), Randy Couture (heavyweight and light heavyweight).

Furthermore, Holm will also be able to boast of being the only fighter, regardless of gender, to have titles in more than one category, both in boxing and MMA. Quite a legacy for the North American woman.

3 – Future of lightweight

Khabib and Edson face each other at UFC 219 (Reproduction Instagram ufc)

While Conor McGregor, linear lightweight champion, and Tony Ferguson, owner of the interim belt, cannot be resolved, the rest of the category moves on. And the co-main fight of UFC 219 pits the two main athletes in the division without a title at the moment. The Brazilian Edson Barboza, who is coming off victories over Gilbert Melendez, Anthony Pettis e Beneil Dariush, take the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has 24 wins in 24 professional MMA fights.

Combat is a classic clash of styles. Dangerous striker and owner of one of the best kicks in the UFC, Edson Barboza will need to deal with the pressure game and takedowns of the Russian wrestler, who has never failed to take down an opponent in Ultimate.

During the week, Khabib let it slip that the winner of this duel will fight for the title. It remains to be seen who against. For Barboza and Nurmagomedov, it doesn't matter. Both have already said that the important thing is the belt and they do not consider Conor McGregor a legitimate champion. Everything indicates, therefore, that the winner of the fight will face Ferguson.

4 – Return of the 'Natural Killer'

Condit hasn't fought since August 2016 (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)

One of the most lethal fighters in the UFC, Carlos Condit returns after more than a year away from the Octagon. The “Natural Killer” even flirted with retirement after being dominated and finished by Demian Maia in August 2016, but decided to give his career one last chance and faces Neil Magny on the UFC 219 main card.

Despite being dangerous, especially with the volume of blows he imposes on his opponents, Magny is the perfect opponent to measure the will, concentration and, mainly, the motivation of Condit, who became interim Ultimate champion, before losing a fight for the unification of titles against Georges St Pierre.

5 – Promises in action

M. Nicolau seeks third victory in the UFC (Photo: Reproduction Facebook Matheus Nicolau

In addition to veterans and important fights, UFC 219 will also mark the main fight of two MMA promises: Cynthia calvillo e Matheus Nicolau. The American of Mexican descent has only six fights (and six wins) in her career, but her jiu-jitsu sharpened by Brazilian Fábio Pateta caught attention and she will face the former strawweight champion Carla esparza. If he passes this test, Calvillo will already be in the conversation for a title fight, currently in possession of Rose namajunas.

Nicolau is looking to rebuild his career in the UFC after being caught in an anti-doping test. “Formed” in TUF Brazil, the flyweight will face number 13 in the category, Louis Smolka. If he can pass this test again, the Brazilian will return to the flyweight rankings and move towards bigger fights and, eventually, a title fight.