How UFC 206 Went From Lackluster To Blockbuster

As well as the masses of hype surrounding UFC 205 in New York, the recent months have seen an opposing focus on UFC 206. Returning to Canada for the third time this year, UFC 206 will mark the first pay-per-view event held in the North since UFC 174 in 2014.

That event, headlined by Demetrious Johnson vs. Ali Bagautinov, ranks among the lowest-drawing PPV cards of all-time. The December 10 card is also the first time the promotion has returned to Toronto since 2013 with UFC 165. Fuelling the negative attention from fans was both the poor nature of the last PPV in Canada, and one former welterweight champion named Georges St-Pierre.

Rumours began spreading earlier this year that ‘GSP’ would be coming back to the UFC. With UFC 206 just around the corner, it looked like the stars would align nicely. Having been out of the game since vacating the belt after UFC 167, St-Pierre’s octagon return has been highly anticipated. Suddenly ‘Rush’ announced he was a free agent following failed contract negotiations, the promotion denied his exit and claimed he was still under contract. This well publicised rift caused some sects of Canadian fans to join forces and start a boycott on UFC 206.

Although St-Pierre is no longer coming back at UFC 206, a number of great fights have been added since that news. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best fights going down at UFC 206:

Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi

Featherweight contender Cub Swanson takes on surging ‘Korean Superboy’ Doo Ho Choi on the main card. ‘Beautiful Destruction’ has some wildly unique striking, and Choi is rapidly becoming known for his heavy hands, and is currently on a 14-fight streak. Watch out for this one.

Donald Cerrone vs. Matt Brown

Talk about a fight between two of the most exciting guys in the UFC! Also meant to compete at UFC 205 in NYC, Donald Cerrone was yanked from the Yankee card after Kelvin Gastelum could not make weight. Looking to undo his two-fight losing streak, Matt Brown hopes to also wreck ‘Cowboy’s’ rodeo in his new home of 170 pounds. THIS is a fight to watch!

Daniel Cormier vs. Rumble Johnson 2

Although Jon Jones isn’t around right now, the light-heavyweight division has a chance to make a statement in Canada. The 205-pounders must keep the division interesting, and who better than two men who already fought in a thrilling war at UFC 187? Champion Daniel Cormier needs to overcome the KO power of Johnson, in a fight that’s seriously flying under the radar.

Anthony Pettis vs. Max Holloway

What a great fight! Surging 145-pound train Max Holloway against the flashy striker and former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis. ‘Showtime’ rekindled his form in his featherweight debut, bouncing back from three straight lightweight defeats. Submitting the dangerous and oft-heavy Charles Oliveira this past August led Pettis to this top-level contender bout.

Victory for either man would surely lead to title contention, with ‘Blessed’ having nine straight and arguably already deserving. Here is the full UFC 206 fight card as it stands right now:

Event: UFC 206 “Cormier vs. Johnson 2”
Date: Sat., Dec. 10, 2016
Location: Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Broadcast: Pay-Per-View (PPV)

UFC 206 PPV Main Event:

205 lbs.: Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson

Other Scheduled UFC 206 Bouts (PPV, FS1, Fight Pass):

115 lbs.: Poliana Botelho vs. Valerie Letourneau
145 lbs.: Anthony Pettis vs. Max Holloway
135 lbs.: Mitch Gagnon vs. Matthew Lopez
125 lbs.: John Moraga vs. Zach Makovsky
155 lbs.: Lando Vannata vs. John Makdessi
155 lbs.: Drew Dober vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier
155 lbs.: Rustam Khabilov vs. Jason Saggo
205 lbs.: Misha Cirkunov vs. Nikita Krylov
145 lbs.: Cub Swanson vs. Dooho Choi
170 lbs: Jordan Mein vs. Emil Meek
155 lbs.: Li Jingliang vs. Chad Laprise
170 lbs.: Donald Cerrone vs. Matt Brown