Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman have been on a collision course to crown the true Welterweight king for some time now, and it will come to fruition tomorrow night. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas plays host to one of the biggest grudge matches in recent memory. But UFC 245 is much more than its main event, hosting 3 massive championship fights. This writer, as is the case with every PPV, I know, is beyond excited to see how this stacked card unfolds. We took our first L last outing, but we are still above .500 for the year. Let’s dive right in and dissect these fights!
Petr Yan x Urijah Faber (Bantamweight)
This fight, for me, is the biggest question mark on the card. Petr Yan is a fast-rising star in a reasonably thin Bantamweight division, who has looked incredible since making the jump to the UFC. Hosting a career 12-1 record, he looks to continue to climb the ranks and potentially book a date with the king of cringe, Henry Cejudo. Standing in his way, however, is a man who appears to be turning back the clock in Urijah Faber. Faber picked up a shocking KO victory over Ricky Simon back in July and could be on the doorstep of one last title run. The hard part about a fight like this is Faber didn’t spend much time in the octagon his last time out, so we don’t really know how the California kid will respond to a much tougher fighter. On the other hand, will Yan face the same fate as Simon did and be at the mercy of a re-ignited legend looking for one last shot at UFC gold? My heart pulls for Faber, but I think Yan will look to strike from the outside and will be able to keep Faber on the end of his jabs, squeaking out a decision victory. Yan- Unanimous Decision
Marlon Moraes x Jose Aldo (Bantamweight)
Much like the fight that goes on before this one, this is another rising contender facing off against a legend of the sport looking to recapture glory. Marlon Moraes has been to the big dance one time before, falling short against Henry Cejudo in a barn burner of a fight. Leading up to that fight, Moraes was a finishing machine, earning 3 straight stoppage wins. Moraes possess top-level grappling and strength in both hands. But standing across the cage from him is the second-best Featherweight of all time (the best is coming up shortly) in Jose Aldo. Aldo, winner of 2 of his last 3 but coming off a loss to Alexander Volkanovski who challenges for the Featherweight crown later in the night. UFC 245 will be Aldo’s first fight at 135 lbs after spending his entire career at 145 lbs. The challenge will be can Aldo keep up with Moraes. We all know Aldo possesses one clear advantage: leg kicks. Will Aldo be able to keep Moraes away by chopping him down? Or will Moraes be able to check enough and close the distance? I respect Aldo for wanting to make a change, but he went the wrong direction in weight. Moraes is hungry for another shot at gold, and I don’t see anyone stopping him. Moraes- Unanimous Decision
Amanda Nunes x Germaine De Randamie (Women’s Bantamweight Championship)
If I had a farm, I would bet it on this fight. Amanda Nunes is the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. I said it, and I won’t stand for any slander from it. Nunes has done it all: she is a two-division champion, she has beaten 5 former world champions (including two wins over current Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko), and is riding a 9 fight win streak. Her last two fights ended in hellacious finishes of Holly Holm and Cris Cyborg. When you can say you finished those two women alone, you know you are a certified killer. Listen, I’m not saying De Randamie doesn’t have a chance here..wait, yes I am. She does not stand a chance here against the G.O.A.T. Nunes adds another head to her collection via another devastating finish, further staking her claim as the greatest to ever do it. UFC 245 will be another showcase for the Lioness. Nunes- 2nd Round KO
Max Holloway x Alexander Volkanovski (Featherweight Championship)
Man, if you thought I was high on Amanda Nunes, wait until you hear what I have to say about Max Holloway. Remember before when I called Jose Aldo the second-best Featherweight of all time? You are looking at the bonafide best: Max “Blessed” Holloway. His constant pressure he applies in a fight is so overwhelming it has to be discouraging. You hit him with everything you got and he just keeps coming forward, and he will try to outdo what you just did to him. This fight, at least, the challenger has a slim chance. Alexander Volkanovski is as tough as they come and will give Holloway what he wants: a war. Volkanovski, undefeated in the UFC, has wins over title challenger Chad Mendes and former Featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo. This fight will win Fight of the Night I am calling it now, and expect the Blessed Express to keep on rolling. Holloway- 5th Round TKO
Kamaru Usman x Colby Covington (Welterweight Championship)
We cap off UFC 245 with a third title fight, and this one should provide fireworks. It is no secret that Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington won’t be exchanging Christmas cards this year. Once the cage door closes, all hell will break loose. But this fight has me a little perplexed. Both Usman and Covington are elite wrestlers who possess very solid striking abilities. Covington averages 5.69 takedowns a fight, whereas Usman has never been taken down in the UFC. Usman boasts 54% striking accuracy, and Covington lands at a 38% clip. Both men don’t really look for the finish, Covingtons last coming in 2016 and Usman in 2017. Normally, we love to see a grappler versus a striker matchup, because it can go either way. But how does someone pick a grappler versus grappler matchup? I don’t have a ton of analysis on the one, because both fighters are relatively similar in styles of fighting. I am going Usman here, merely due to the fact Kamaru is the more active striker. Usman- Unanimous decision
