UFC 274
Event Preview

Alright – after a string of less than stellar Fight Nights in the Apex, we are back on PPV. And back in a arena full of fans. And more importantly, we have a card full of fights amongst the best in the world.

There has been a lot of talk on the internets recently about the quality of these recent fight nights. And if it is fair to criticize them before they happened, or should we even care if the fights are fun.

But I absolutely think the quality of fighters is worth considering. I am a big advocate for a very simple idea. And it might sound obvious, but bears repeating. The best fighters make for the best fights. There is something different about MMA when you’re watching the very best compete. Maybe it’s the stakes, but I think it is more than that. Fighters who are more athletic, and have a higher level of skill, usually are in better fights. Bad fighters get tired, they do not have the skills or experience to finish their opponents. Don’t get me wrong, any fight happening in a cage can be fun.

But my point is, there is very good reason to be excited when a card features fights amongst the best in the world. It isn’t just the stakes, the fights themselves are usually more fun.

And 274 is full of really good fighters. The last few PPV cards have been fantastic top to bottom. And this one is no different. I do not know what to think about the main events yet. And there are some fun fights on the prelims as well.

Should be fun!
Here are some of my favourite fights on the card,

Kleydson Rodrigues vs C.J. Vergara
Flyweight – 125 pounds

Flyweight might be the most underrated division in the sport. Remember that thing I said about good fighters making for good fights? Well that seems to be the case for almost all UFC flyweight fights. They are fast, highly skilled. Love me some flyweights. And this fight is the first of many on 274!

CJ Verga is really good. And really fun to watch. He has a fan friendly style and some really clean standup. CJ entered the UFC with 5 straight finishes, and went 3 rounds with a really solid fighter in Ode Osborne. CJ actually outstruck Ode, but many fighters will lose to Ode Osborne over the course of his career, no shame in that.

CJ will have another tough test in the newcomer, Kleydson ‘KD’ Rodrigues. KD is only 26 years old and has won his last 6 fights. His last fight was a decision win on DWCS, and it was his first fight in two years! And he looked absolutely fantastic against a really good pro, who was supposed to be a tough style matchup. KD can grapple and strike, but IMO the most interesting thing about KD is his athleticism and physicality. Fighters who look to have that extra step are always worth taking note of. I think KD might be one of those fighters.

This is an awesome fight. And I think might be one of those fights we look back on later as a matchup not appreciated enough at the time.

Tracy Cortez vs Melissa Gatto
Flyweight – 125 pounds

More prospects! And more flyweights, but the women this time.

The UFC’s women’s flyweight division is starting to fill out. There are some potential contenders beginning to emerge and these two will both be looking to establish themselves as one of those conteders.

Tracy Cortez isn’t just the lucky lady that gets to brush Brian Ortega’s hair, she is also a top flyweight prospect. She is 9-1 in MMA and 3-0 in the UFC, and one of the most relentless grapplers in the division. Averaging 3 takedowns a fight in the UFC. She is solid! Looking forward to seeing her fight.

Tracy will be fighting the undefeated Brazilian, Melissa Gatto. Gatto debuted in the UFC in August of last year after 3 years away. Her last fight before the UFC was a 1st round submission win over UFC vet, Karol Rosa. Karol Rosa is 5-1 in the UFC as a bantamweight! And Gatto taped her out when she was only 22 years old! Gatto looks like she might be a real threat. Gatto is strong and well rounded, and has the skills to be dangerous anywhere the fight goes. She has stopped both of her wins in the UFC and will have a great test in Tracy Cortez.

Brandon Royval vs Matt Schnell
Flyweight – 125 pounds

Yay flyweights! And I absolutely love this one. This is going to be a scrap. A scrap between two really solid fighters.

Brandon Royval has become a fan favourite after some wild fights against the flyweight divisions best. His win over Kai Kara-France is an all timer, and the fight with Moreno was shaping up to be fun until he injured his shoulder.

Royval feels like a throwback fighter. Or maybe he is the third Diaz brother. Either way, he is must watch tv. He is sneaky dangerous on the feet, and he will be throwing up subs and woking constantly while grappling.

Matt Schnell has a checkered UFC record, but he is good. He is one of those underappreciated fighters that makes some of these UFC divisions so tough. Schnell doesn’t have the name recognition or reputation as some of Royvals previous opponents, but he will be a tough fight regardless. Which is a potential no-win situation for a guy like Royval. Royval is building a bit of a name for himself, but he could be a .500 UFC fighter if he drops this one.

I just love this fight so much. High stakes, should be fun stylistically. Can’t wait.

Donald Cerrone vs Joe Lauzon
Lightweight – 155 pounds

Ok, talk about a throwback. This one is a throwback. This feels like a fight that could have happened on Spike! Or in the WEC!

Two of the most exciting and most beloved fighters in UFC history compete in the twilight of their careers as the PPV opener. And much of the theme of this ‘if you do not know, now you do know’ has been about the best fighters in the world. Well, neither of these guys are close to that anymore. But they have both earned their place on the biggest stage. They and 1st and 3rd in all time performance bonuses! I dont think its a stretch to say they are both future hall of famers.

I am not sure what to expect from either of them, but I am going to appreciate being able to watch them both fight one more time! Who knows how many either of them have left.

I can not imagine this fight being boring. I think it is actually physically impossible for either of them to be in a boring fight.

Michael Chandler vs Tony Ferguson
Lightweight – 155 pounds

Oh boy. This fight gives me all sorts of feels.

The ‘just bleed’ bro in me is excited for the violence. Part of me is sad we didn’t get this fight 3 years ago, seeing Tony as such a bigger underdog bums me out. Part of me is worried for Tony, he has not looked anything like himself since that fight against Gaethje. And Tony has some miles on him. We may have seen the best of Tony Ferguson, we’ll get another look Saturday.

Michael Chandler has had a rollercoaster start to his UFC career. He was a few well placed punches away from becoming the champ! And he had one of the best fights of all time against Justin Gaethje. Michael Chandler promised excitement coming to the UFC. And he has delivered.

Michael Chandler has lost to both the guys in the main event, and some may see that as a bad thing. He had his chance and he couldn’t get it done! But if I were to guess, I don’t think this is how Chandler would see it. He would know what we learned watching those two fights, Michael Chandler can beat both those guys. He maybe didn’t get it done the first time, but he proved he can be dangerous to both of them. Would either of them be excited to fight Chandler again? Well maybe Justin would, that guys is a sicko. But, point being – Michael Chandler is a threat to every 155er in the world. Will be interesting to see what he has for Tony on Saturday.

Rose Namajunas vs Carla Esparza
Strawweight – 115 pounds
Championship Fight

Rose returns for her 2nd title defence in her 2nd title reign..for the 2nd time…

Rose is one of the most exciting and likeable fighters in the UFC, and she has been responsible for some of the most memorable moments in UFC history. Rose is a truly elite tactician. She is like some sort of brilliant assassin. You never know what Rose will have in store.

You what was one of my favourite Rose performances? The first Andrade fight. Yea yea, I know. She got slammed on her head and lost the belt. But some may forget, she looked like she was on a different level up until that point. Her striking was on point, and she was using this really weird back crawl thing to avoid Andrade’s grappling. That ultimately was her undoing. But is was a good example of Rose’s creativity, even if the ultimate outcome was not ideal.

This will be a rematch of the first title fight in the divisions history! Carla and Rose were finalists for TUF 20 which crowned the first UFC Strawweight champion. Rose was earmarked at the time as the favourite to win the tournament, so Carla was able to spoil that party winning via RNC in the 3rd round.

This matchup is a classic clash of styles. Rose the striker vs Carla the wrestler.

Carla doesn’t have the biggest name, but there is a history between these two. And from a purely sporting standpoint, this fight is fantastic and really interesting. Can not wait.

Charles Oliveira vs Justin Gaethje
Lightweight – 155 pounds
Championship Fight

Holy moly this is a fight. This is one of those perfect storm fights. A fight that checks all the boxes for what a fan could want in a great fight.

It has high stakes, the Lightweight belt is arguably the most prestigious belt in the sport at the moment. The stylistic matchup is fascinating, will Charles Oliveira be able to take the wrestler down and work his subs? Who has the advantage on the feet? Conventional wisdom would assume Justin is the one who will want to keep this standing, but Charlie Olives has been looking so sharp and dangerous on the feet during this title reign. He KO’d Chandler to win the vacant title! KO’ing Chandler is not something Justin was able to do..

And – both of these guys are always in exciting fights. It is hard to imagine a scenario where this fight doesn’t deliver.

Charles Oliveira has really cemented himself as the rightful lightweight king. It can be a little awkward for the division and for the sport when you have the reigning champion retire and vacate the belt. There is almost an asterisk on their claim as the best in the world. A big dark cloud can hang over the division. But ‘Charlie Olives’ has really done his part to help us forget about Khabib. He has looked fantastic on this run, and when you consider his style, you can’t help but wonder if this Charles Oliveira would have been the guy to take Khabib’s 0..

Charles never had the chance to face Khabib, but it is interesting to compare how Charles does against common opponents. Justin Gaethje was Khabibs last fight, and it was one of Khabibs best performances. Will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

if you do not know, now you do know