It’s Finally Time: Five Reasons Why You Should Watch UFC 194
Although we actually have two more UFC fight cards before December 12, 2015, it seems as if the mixed martial arts community (MMA) has their eyes set on UFC 194 which will go down from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On paper, UFC 194 could be considered the strongest card since UFC 100, as the promotion has stacked the deck. The card will be headlined by dual title fights, and will also possess pivotal fights that could potentially have future title implications.
Despite some reasons being obvious, let’s take a deeper look into why you should watch UFC 194:
5. What Does The Future Hold For Urijah Faber?
Urijah Faber has had an interesting career in the UFC. A former WEC champion, “The California Kid” remains as a fan favorite and as a large draw, but he has unfortunately lost every title shot that the UFC has offered him, which has constantly put him into a tough position.
However, the future may be bright for Faber. Coming off of a loss at 145-pounds to Frankie Edgar, the Team Alpha Male leader will be moving back down to his home at bantamweight to meet Frankie Saenz.
With the 135-pound division being desperate for contenders, a win could put Faber’s name back into title talk.
It also helps that current bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has left Team Alpha Male, making a fight between him and Faber a more realistic option. “Killashaw” will defend his title in January against former champion and bitter Faber rival Dominick Cruz.
Could “The California Kid” face off with the winner and earn yet another shot at UFC gold?
4. A Grappling Fan’s Dream
If you are a fan of grappling, or just a fan of high level technical mixed martial arts, UFC 194 could have the perfect fight for you.
Welterweight contenders Gunnar Nelson and Demian Maia will face off on the main card in a battle between two of the sport’s best submission artists.
Maia, a long-time veteran, is a fourth degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and owns 10 submission wins to his record. It’s hard to find someone who can match up with Maia on the ground, but Nelson could be that man.
“Gunni”, a training partner of the face of this card who will be talked about later on, is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well, and also owns 10 submission wins to his name. The Icelandic native has looked effortless and smooth with his transitions, and has been a pleasure to watch.
Who will prove to be the superior grappler and fighter? You’ll have to tune in to see.
3. A Middleweight Title Eliminator
The middleweight division seems to be deeper and more crowded than ever. Fortunately for fans, UFC 194 will pit two of the top 185-pounders against each other in what very well could be a title eliminator.
Top contenders Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Yoel “The Soldier of God” Romero will finally do battle in a long-awaited bout. The two were scheduled to face off multiple times within the last year, but the fight always ended up falling through.
“Jacare”, a man who could very well be the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist in all of MMA, has won an incredible eight-straight including five consecutive inside of the Octagon. A win over Romero should warrant Souza a well-deserved title shot.
“The Solider of God” on the other hand sits at an undefeated 6-0 in the UFC, and is coming off of a brutal victory over former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.
Tune in to see who will meet the winner of the night’s co-main event….
2. The Best of the Best
When it comes down to it, mixed martial arts is a business. That being said, it seems as if it’s very rare that we actually see the top two guys in a division facing off to see which combatant is truly the king of the castle.
However, that can’t be said about UFC 194’s co-headliner.
Middleweight champion Chris Weidman will put his title on the line against Luke Rockhold in a very intriguing affair. Both men are somewhat young, and appear to be in the primes of their careers.
Also, it’s safe to say that two of the most well-rounded fighters that the sport has to offer will be facing off in this scrap.
The undefeated champion in Weidman will look to make the fourth defense of his title, and is coming off of a lethal stoppage victory over Vitor Belfort.
Rockhold on the other hand, who could prove to a problem stylistically for Weidman, has rattled off four-straight victories all by way of finish.
Although the bout may be being overlooked due to the magnitude of the main event, this title fight will put the best of the best on full display.
1. It’s Finally Time
This reason is quite obvious. The main event of UFC 194 has been billed as the biggest fight in MMA history. Fans have waited patiently for it, and we are all waiting on the edge of our seats for the cage door to close and the bell to ring.
It’s finally time.
After months and months of endless buildup and promotion, reigning featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo will defend his title against interim champion and Irish superstar the “Notorious” Conor McGregor.
The two men were originally scheduled to face off at last July’s UFC 189, but “Scarface” was unfortunately forced out of the fight due to a rib injury. McGregor would go on to knock out former title challenger and top ranked contender Chad “Money” Mendes, making the title unifier an even bigger deal.
Aldo, the only featherweight champion in UFC history, has been dominant, but many are calling the “Notorious” one the champion’s toughest matchup to date. McGregor is a long and rangy southpaw with brutal knockout power.
The Irish hype machine’s trash talk has been relentless, but he’s backed it up as well, winning all six of his UFC bouts.
On December 12th, we will finally get the answer we’ve been waiting for.
Who will walk away as the undisputed featherweight champion?
