The most important MMA promotion makes its return to Houston for the primary time since February 2022, when Israel Adesanya efficiently defended his 185-pound title in a rematch in opposition to Robert Whittaker at UFC 271.
One other middleweight contest headlines a Texas occasion, however this time it’s a struggle night time as former champion Sean Strickland takes on rising contender Anthony Hernandez.
Each males characteristic within the prime 5 of the division’s rankings and will have a powerful risk of incomes the following title shot, relying on the aftermath of their scheduled five-round warfare.
Here’s what it is advisable to find out about the primary occasion, in addition to 5 different bouts that may catch your eye at UFC Houston.
Strickland hoping to bounce again from title defeat
The 34-year-old has now managed to get his alternative to return to the win column after being suspended for six months for a bodily altercation at a regional MMA occasion in June.
Strickland has not competed for over a yr since his championship rematch defeat to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312, which he misplaced convincingly by unanimous choice.
5 of the Californian’s seven losses in MMA have immediately been redeemed, as the one time he suffered back-to-back losses was in 2022.
The previous UFC Champion was on the receiving finish of a first-round knockout in opposition to Alex Pereira, earlier than a good cut up choice defeat to Jared Cannonier.
The Xtreme Couture blended martial artist is thought for going the space in his battles and likes to strike together with his opponents.
It’s honest to say Strickland is a veteran of the UFC, preventing with the organisation since March 2014, when he began off as a welterweight earlier than altering to middleweight in 2020.
With 29 victories on his report, the American has salvaged 15 finishes, together with 11 KO/TKO wins and 4 submissions.
The #3 contender has solely been stopped twice, each by KO/TKO, as he’s by no means been troubled on the bottom, though his upcoming foe may make that change.
Hernandez eyeing title shot after spectacular run
‘Fluffy’ has been flying beneath the radar within the 185-pound division till final yr, when he picked up large wins over Brendan Allen and Roman Dolidze.
Presently driving the most important energetic streak within the choice, Hernandez has earned eight successive victories with six of these bouts ending with a stoppage.
The rise of the Dunnigan-born fighter has been unbelievable to look at, particularly when he stopped eye-catching prospects Roman Kopylov by submission and Michel Pereira by TKO.
With 32-year-old being extra in current instances than Strickland, it may probably give him the benefit in a closely anticipated middleweight struggle.
Hernandez made his MMA debut after his opponent started his profession within the UFC, claiming a number of first-round finishes earlier than incomes a contract via Dana White’s Contender Sequence (DWCS).
The BJJ brown belt has gone to the judges’ scorecards 3 times from 15 victories in his profession, producing three KO/TKO wins and 9 submissions.
Identical to Strickland, the #4 contender has been stopped solely twice in his MMA profession, dropping as soon as by submission on his UFC debut and as soon as by knockout in opposition to Kevin Holland two bouts later.
Loads of the MMA group believes Hernandez ought to be subsequent in line for the middleweight championship in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev, as he has the perfect weapons to tackle the undefeated blended martial artist. A win on the Toyota Centre will give him that likelihood.
5 different battles you shouldn’t miss
Geoff Neal vs Uros Medic
The co-main occasion is sure to have a enjoyable putting battle as Neal goals to take care of his #12 welterweight rating in opposition to rising Serbian Medic.
‘Handz of Metal’ is trying to bounce again from his earlier struggle when he suffered a spinning elbow knockout defeat to Carlos Prates within the first spherical at UFC 319.
‘The Physician’ has earned back-to-back first-round knockouts as he tries to extend his win streak, to not neglect that the 32-year-old has by no means gone to a call in his MMA profession.
It’s a 170-pound bout that may solely finish in a method, and that’s by knockout, however who will earn their spotlight reel on the Toyota Heart?
Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa
One other state of affairs the place a contender has to defend his place in opposition to an unranked opponent to stay within the prime 15.
Ige is trying to redeem himself and keep his #14 featherweight rating after dropping by unanimous choice to Patricio Pitbull at UFC 318.
Costa has been a fast-rising 145-pound prospect who elevated his win streak to 5 after a depraved first-round head kick knockout in opposition to Morgan Charriere at UFC Vegas 112.
Whereas each males are snug putting on the toes, don’t be stunned if it goes to the bottom as they share 13 submission wins between them.
Serghei Spivac vs Ante Delija
A conflict of the heavyweights options on the primary card of UFC Houston, which is more likely to be billed as a wrestler vs striker matchup.
Spivac is on a two-fight dropping streak, struggling each defeats final yr in opposition to Jailton Almeida by TKO at UFC 311 and Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous choice at UFC 316.
Delija makes his third UFC look after making his debut final yr, securing a first-round knockout win in opposition to Marcin Tybura, adopted by a first-round knockout loss to Cortes-Acosta.
The 2 European blended martial artists are within the prime 10 of the heavyweight rankings and goal to make a press release win for an opportunity to maneuver nearer to the highest 5.
Chidi Njokuani vs Carlos Leal
A battle for redemption within the welterweight division as each fighters are determined to bounce again from current defeat.
Njokuani was on three successive wins till he got here face-to-face with Jake Matthews at UFC Nashville, dropping by first-round submission.
Leal shockingly misplaced his final bout, as he was closely favoured to win, and was knocked out in simply 42 seconds by Muslim Salikhov at UFC Abu Dhabi.
There’s a purpose this three-round struggle has been positioned because the featured prelim: the excessive stage of leisure it may ship.
Ramiz Brahimaj vs Punahele Soriano
One other 170-pound contest, which can give lots of curiosity to the MMA group, as each blended martial artists maintain a three-fight win streak.
Brahimaj continued to maintain his 100% end price when he stopped Austin Vanderford by second-round submission at UFC 320.
Soriano fought in the identical occasion to increase his triumphant streak, defeating Nikolay Veretennikov by unanimous choice.
It’s submission artist vs knockout artist as two People battle to turn out to be extra recognised and worthy throughout the organisation.
Do you agree?
