5 reasons to watch UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Kelvin Gastelum

#2. Mark Madsen could develop into a lightweight Yoel Romero

Denmark's Mark Madsen is the latest Olympian to enter the UFC

The possibility of Olympic wrestling gold medallist Gable Steveson entering the UFC at some point has been a hot topic this week. If he were to do so, he’d join a pretty lengthy list of successful Olympians to enter the octagon.

One such Olympian is in action this weekend, as Mark Madsen, who won an Olympic silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2016 games, takes on longtime UFC veteran Clay Guida.

Any time a former Olympian enters the UFC, it makes for an interesting spectacle, but how far can Madsen go in MMA? It’s definitely a fascinating question.

The Dane is slightly old as far as prospects go, as he’s already 36 years old. However, judging by his first two UFC bouts – wins over Danilo Belluardo and Austin Hubbard – it’s clear that he’s lost none of his athletic gifts just yet.

And Still Undefeated!@MarkTheOlympian remains undefeated and finishes Belluardo in round 1! #UFCCopenhagen pic.twitter.com/UxLGYkduPD

— UFC (@ufc) September 28, 2019

And with a heavy-handed style to compliment his explosive wrestling game, it’s hard not to compare him to another Olympic silver medallist who entered the UFC in his late 30’s – Yoel Romero.

Whether Madsen can replicate that kind of success – Romero famously fought for the UFC middleweight title on two occasions – is unknown, but against an opponent as gritty and experienced as Guida, we should get a good idea of how serious he is this weekend.

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#1. The main event has an outside chance of producing a UFC middleweight title challenger

Could Kelvin Gastelum net himself a UFC middleweight title shot with a win this weekend?

Naturally, the most intriguing fight at this weekend’s UFC Fight Night event is the main event, which pits middleweight contender Jared Cannonier against former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum.

Based on the previous performances from both men, this should be an entertaining fight regardless of what happens. Both fighters are aggressive, look to strike first rather than grapple, and both men are highly durable too.

But what makes it most interesting is the fact that there’s an outside chance that the winner could be propelled into a shot at the UFC middleweight title in the near future.

Current champion Israel Adesanya is all set to defend his title against Robert Whittaker in the coming months, and Whittaker’s last two wins actually came against Cannonier and Gastelum. However, based on their first fight, it’s highly likely that it’ll be Adesanya who comes away with the win.

And given he’s already beaten the likes of Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori and Derek Brunson, there aren’t that many viable challengers for ‘The Last Stylebender’. That means that if Cannonier or Gastelum can pick up an explosive win this weekend, they could easily jump to the front of the queue.

OHHHHHH MYYYYYYY!!!!!!@KelvinGastelum FLATTENS Bisping in round 1!!! #UFCShanghai📱 💻 🖥 https://t.co/v7Pyjv0z20 pic.twitter.com/nlk4Nafu1c

— UFC (@ufc) November 25, 2017

So with the stakes that high, it’s clear that both fighters will be desperate for a win this weekend. And that means that this is practically an unmissable fight for UFC fans.