This December is filled with several UFC events that will keep its fans glued to their televisions. Most fight cards possess extremely recognizable names in the MMA community and a lot of them are fighting against each other. This month features several title fights that should be extremely competitive. Overall, this month’s schedule looks pretty solid.
The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale
Date: Friday, December 1, 2017
Time of Main Card: 10:00 P.M. ET
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
TV Channel: FS1
HOLLYWOOD, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: A detailed view of the UFC Championship belt prior to the UFC on Fox: Velasquez v Dos Santos – Press Conference at W Hollywood on September 20, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Once again, the latest season of the Ultimate Fighter comes to a close. However, not before the finale in the Women’s Flyweight division between finalists Nicco Montano and Roxanne Modafferi. Prior to the fight, there are several extremely talented fighters who are currently undefeated including Brett Johns and Sean O’Malley. If you enjoy seeing new fighters who can potentially become the face of the sport, this event is perfect for you.
UFC 218
Date: Saturday, December 2, 2017
Time: 10:00 P.M. ET
Location: Detroit, Michigan
TV Channel: UFC Fight Pass
UFC 218 contains a stacked fight card and is expected to provide several entertaining fights. The main event for this card is a rematch for the Featherweight title between Max Holloway (18-3) and Jose Aldo (26-3). These two fighters squared off back in June and Holloway eventually won in the third round via TKO. Expect this fight to be extremely technical and close as Also attempts to become champion once again. The card also features a phenomenal contest in the Heavyweight division between Alistair Overeem (43-15) and Francis Ngannou (10-1). Both fighters possess ridiculous knockout power and I expect this fight to end rather early as one of these fighters wins via knockout.
UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega
Date: Saturday, December 9, 2017
Time: 10:00 P.M. ET
Location: Fresno, California
TV Channel: FS1
This UFC Fight Night contains a fight card with several underrated fighters within the UFC. This fight card is filled with young talent that will look to gain recognition on public television with a victory. Expect to see some of these fighters move up in the rankings and become contenders in the not-so-distant future.
The main event will be a Featherweight fight between Cub Swanson (25-7) and Brian Ortega (12-0). Swanson is currently 36 years old and is looking for another key victory as his career gets closer to its inevitable end. Ortega, on the other hand, is only 26 years old and will be looking for another key victory to showcase that he is a future contender for the Featherweight championship belt. I expect this fight to be very technical and methodical due to both fighters possessing different fighting styles.
UFC Fight Night: Lawler vs Dos Anjos
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2017
Time of Main Card: 8:00 P.M. ET
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
TV Channel: Fox
The main event for this card is between Robbie Lawler (28-11) and Rafael dos Anjos (27-9). Both fighters are former champions and will look for a high-quality victory that can potentially propel them to receiving another title fight in the immediate future. Both fighters are extremely well-rounded but both excel the most in the standup. I expect this fight to be extremely close as both fighters use their boxing prowess to cause some serious damage.
UFC 219
Date: Saturday, December 30, 2017
Time of Main Card: 10:00 P.M. ET
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
TV Channel: UFC Fight Pass
The main event for this card is a title fight between Holly Holm (11-3) and Cris Cyborg (18-1). This will be Cyborg’s first fight since July when she defeated Tonya Evinger via knockout. Holm has been a household name among UFC fans ever since her shocking knockout victory over Ronda Rousey several years ago. Cyborg has looked unstoppable in her UFC career but Holm is definitely the toughest fighter that she has faced up to this point. Expect this fight to be extremely entertaining as both fighters have the ability to be the face of female fighting in the UFC moving forward.
