The UFC never fails to make some of the biggest fights at the hottest time of the year. This year is no different. With so many fights to choose from and many of which have title implications – its not easy to pick – but the following are 3 bouts on PPV cards that have the hype to back the heat of the summer.
UFC 238: Ferguson vs. Cerrone
At UFC 238 in Chicago Tony Ferguson (24-3) vs. Cowboy (36-11) is setting up to be quite the fight, the fight fans never knew they needed.
Still can’t believe this is only a few weeks out! Love the stark contrast between these two fighters. It’s as if they’re from two different worlds but the story’s the same. Both on a journey for the belt. #ufc238 #mma #tonyferguson #cowboycerrone pic.twitter.com/Rxyu4mCca7 — gripdesigns_nolimits (@gripdesigns) May 14, 2019
With Tony Ferguson recently being in the news for the wrong reasons, it seems he’s back on track and making headlines for the right ones. A card that features two title fights seemed to be missing the fight. When news broke that a recently announced bout between Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone was headed for UFC 238, it nearly broke MMA twitter. Catching some by surprise because Cerrone had only been a few days removed from his victory over Ragin Al but its Cerrone – the last of a dying breed, so to quote Nate Diaz: “I’m not surprised mother fuckers.”
A post shared by @TonyFergusonxt (@tonyfergusonxt) on May 31, 2019 at 2:32am PDT
Tony Ferguson hasn’t suffered a defeat since 2013 and is riding one of the UFC’S longest winning streaks at 11. As for his counterpart, “Dad” Cerrone hasn’t lost a fight since the birth of his child – going 3-0 in that time frame against Platinum Perry (Cowboy’s last fight at welterweight), Alex Hernandez, and Ragin Al Iaquinta.
A post shared by Donald Cerrone (@cowboycerrone) on May 8, 2019 at 7:34am PDT
From the moment Cerrone exited the octagon in Ottawa to the moment he enters it against Ferguson in Chicago it will have been about 35 days since Cerrone’s last fight.
In a card that is headlined by 2 title fights, its rare that bouts outside of title fights would get promoted and have their own promo, but this is the exception to the rule. This fight has been crowned “The peoples Main Event” by the UFC and regardless of who comes out of this fight with their hand raised, the real winners on June 8th will be us – the fight fans.
UFC 239: Askren vs. Masvidal
International Fight Week is once again right around the corner. Meaning us fight fans must basically hold our breaths because in the past it’s a fight card that has been plagued by various card changes due to headliners and fighters pulling out of fights, leaving us disappointed – especially those who invest in making the trip (disappointment that I’m sure GOT fans can relate to, based on their reactions of how they took the ending), However, this is the first time, in a long time, that the UFC has stacked the IFW card from top to bottom. Having us fans with our fingers- crossed hoping that it delivers from beginning to end (like the Breaking Bad series), making up for the disappointments of the past.
The card is headlined by 2 title fights that feature arguably the greatest male and female MMA fighters of all time. However, it’s the man who put “3 pc and a soda” on the map, Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal (33-13-0) vs. “The Funky one” Ben Askren (19-0-0) who have the masses all in on UFC 239. This fight is sure to have the MMA community’s attention when they step foot in the octagon at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 6th.
A post shared by Jorge Masvidal (@gamebredfighter) on Apr 11, 2019 at 3:48pm PDT
Their dislike for one another has never been more transparent. With their way of letting it be known as a reflection of their personalities. Askren the more passive-aggressive of the two has gone on air, letting it be known that his reason for Masvidal not liking him comes down to their differences in pay grade. Askren has gone on to make fun of the infamous “3 piece and a soda” at the seasonal press conference (Masvidal wasn’t present for it) claiming Masvidal “ better bring the whole damn family meal”. While Masvidal is more blunt about his intentions with Askren, in recent interviews saying he wants “to break his face” and calling Askren a “Coward” adding that if you don’t believe him, “tune into UFC 239 and ill show you how much of a coward he is.”
The fireworks from 4th of July might be long gone by the time UFC 239 gets underway but something tells me, on July 6th, this fight might set off a few more.
UFC 241: Pettis vs. Diaz
UFC 241 will look to shut the lights out on the summer with a card that features the much-anticipated return of Stockton’s’ own, Nate Diaz (19-11-0) in the co-main slot against Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (22-8-0).
A post shared by Anthony Pettis (@showtimepettis) on May 13, 2019 at 5:31pm PDT
In a division that seems to gain new contenders weekly, it’s becoming one of the toughest divisions in the UFC. As fighters continue to push for the 165lb division, Uncle Dana (White) continues to shut it down, leaving fighters no option but to make the jump to 170. As some have benefitted from the lack of weight-cut, others have been on the disappointing end as well. Most recently, at UFC Rochester, Kevin Lee made the jump from lightweight to welterweight but came up short.
That can’t be said for Anthony Pettis, though. The former, Lightweight, champion moved up to welterweight and faced one of the division’s staples and greatest strikers, “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC Fight Night 148. The jump up to 170 provided him the power to KO “Wonderboy” with what some have phrased the “Showtime punch”. That’s something Woodley couldn’t do (twice), Till or anyone else who had ever stood across “Wonderboy” had ever accomplished. That fight put the whole division on notice and added, a new but familiar name, to an already stacked division at welterweight. Gaining the attention of many and ultimately paving the way for a fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 241.
A post shared by Anthony Pettis (@showtimepettis) on May 11, 2019 at 8:42pm PDT
For “Showtime” this fight is “personal” according to many, a match between the two has been brewing since an altercation occurred behind the scenes of a Fight Night back in 2013 and finally under a California sky, the stars will have aligned for one of the best and highly anticipated non-title fights of this summer.
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