Via sportskeedia.com
UFC President, Dana White, took to social media Tuesday to announce some of the events and major fights coming up for the Summer. With a full picture for our next few months of fight cards, I ranked the five best fights currently scheduled to look forward to.
5.) Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Periera (UFC 291)
Former light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz, will return to the Octagon in the co main event of UFC 291. Once again, Blachowicz will be welcoming one of the elite middleweights to his 205 pound division. Former middleweight champion, Alex Perieira, will be making his light heavyweight debut with the promotion. Pereira was a light heavyweight kickboxing champion under the Glory Kickboxing banner, and has a true light heavyweight frame. Jan Blachowicz has been a gatekeeper of middleweight champions trying to make their move up to 205, defeating both former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, and current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in their move up to light heavyweight. Pereira was fast tracked to a title shot in the Middleweight Division, and it appears they plan to do the same with him up a weight class. However, Jan Blachowicz is no Sean Strickland and will provide many more stylistic issues for Poatan.
4.) Robert Whittaker vs Dricus Du Plessis (UFC 290)
Top middleweight contenders, Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis, will meet in a title eliminator on the Main Card of UFC 290 in July. Both fighters have their sights set on the champion, Israel Adesanya. Whittaker is looking for his third opportunity to beat the champion, while Du Plessis and Adesanya appear to have real beef, that could create a massive grudge match to sell to the fans. With that being said, neither of these guys can look past the fight they have in front of them. Robert Whittaker is the most skilled, well-rounded fighter in the Middleweight Division, and Dricus Du Plessis is the most dangerous finisher in the division. In what at times feels like a stalled division, this fight is a spark the Middleweights absolutely needed.
3.) Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O’Malley (UFC 292)
Immediately following his title defense against Henry Cejudo, Aljamain Sterling would have an intense face-off with top contender, Sean O’Malley. Following the event, Dana White has confirmed the fight is official for the Main Event of UFC 292 in Boston later this summer. Besides being a title fight in the most exciting division in the UFC, getting Sean O’Malley on the headline fight of a PPV is just a money printer for the company. O’Malley is arguably the biggest star and spectacle in the sport, and he’s rightfully earned a title shot. The stylistic chess battle of Sterling’s elite grappling and top control vs. O’Malley’s world-class dynamic striking will make for an absolute five round nail biter.
2.) Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez (UFC 290)
Featherweight champion and second ranked Pound-for-Pound fighter, Alexander Volkanovski, will return to 145 to defend his undisputed title against interim champion, Yair Rodriguez. In a division that has been Volk vs. Max for the past four years, Yair Rodriguez is the absolute perfect contender to come shake up the title picture. Alexander Volkanovksi is absolutely the greatest, most skilled, well-rounded fighter on the roster, but he will have to be absolutely perfect for 25 minutes. Yair Rodriguez is the most dangerous finisher in the Featherweight Division. On the feet, Rodriguez will be throwing elbows, spinning and jumping kicks, and everything with bad intention. On the feet, Rodriguez will relentlessly throw up submissions and sweep attempts. If there is anyone that could beat Alexander Volkanovski RIGHT NOW, I firmly believe it is Yair Rodriguez.
1.) Justin Gaethje vs Dustin Poirier (UFC 291)
In a rematch of one of the most violent, rewatched fights of the past 10 years, perennial lightweight contenders and title challengers, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier will headline UFC 290 for the BMF title. Should you care about a meaningless belt that has no lineage? No. Should you be more excited about this fight than anything else in the entire world of sport? Absolutely. There’s not much I can say to add more hype to this fight. It is simply alpha violence at the highest level. Just go rewatch the first fight and get excited with me.
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–Yair Rodriguez Will Become the Next Undisputed Champion
