UFC takes to the shores of Auckland for the second time only in their history, with legendary Heavyweight Mark Hunt headlining the card against another fan favourite and fellow knockout artist, Derrick Lewis.
Albeit not boasting of too many other big names, the remainder of the card is nonetheless decked with fan-friendly fights as the likes of Derek Brunson, Tim Elliot and Ross Pearson also take to the mat.
As always, Heavyweight fights are enthralling and one between two heavy-hitting sluggers the likes of Hunt and Lewis will be especially so. Derek Brunson, however, would be looking to steal the headlines with a strong rebound performance against Dan Kelly, after losing his previous fight in agonising fashion to former Champion, Anderson Silva.
Tim Elliot, on the other hand, would be eager to keep his momentum ticking over after an impressive victory against Louis Smolka in his last outing and you can always bank on an exciting fight from the ever-evolving Ross Pearson.
Without further ado, then, here are 5 compelling reasons why you need to tune into UFC Fight Night Auckland.
#1 Dan Kelly’s dream run
The 39-year-old Australian judoka has had a dream run in the UFC so far. His last three fights read as victories against Antonio Carlos Junior, Chris Camozzi and a career-making effort against the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Rashad Evans.
Kelly is also an incredibly likeable guy. In era pockmarked with fighters who’re desperate to land money fights, he’s a guy who’s truly happy to be in the UFC and test himself against the best fighters in the world.
And kudos to him that he’s going about it the right way.
His last fight, against Rashad Evans, showed immense improvements in his striking game, something Brunson will do well not to underestimate. This fight could be the elder stateman’s best chance to break into the top 10 of the division, and the biggest banana peel that Brunson has encountered till date.
#2 Will Ross Pearson deliver?
Coming off three straight losses, Ross Pearson has to be on his A-game here to arrest his slump.
And Dan Hooker is absolutely no pushover. He himself is coming off a loss to highly-rated Jason Knight and a veteran like Pearson is the perfect opponent for him to make his name known to the world.
However, the stakes are undoubtedly higher on Pearson’s side, who could possibly be facing the ignominy of being cut from the UFC should his string of losses elongate further.
#3 Tim Elliot marches on
After pushing Demetrious Johnson, the consensus pound for pound number one fighter in the world today, in a five round war, Tim Elliot did his burgeoning reputation no harm when he defeated a game Louis Smolka last month.
And he makes another quick turn around to face Ben Nguyen at UFC Fight Night Auckland on this weekend.
Elliot represents a rare breed of fighter that is extremely durable and comfortable wherever the fight takes him. And he resorts in the best way possible to overcome adversity, never more clearly showcased than when he chomped down on his bit to claw his way back into the UFC after being cut in 2015.
A victory at Auckland would keep his flag flying high. The Flyweight division needs all the stars it can get.
#4 Derrick Lewis’ time
The Black Beast is legitimately the funniest man in MMA today, a notion that was only emphasised when he hilariously recreated the Daniel Cormier towel-gate incident at the weigh-ins earlier today.
But make no mistake, his moniker is absolutely well earned.
He’s nothing short of a nightmare in the cage – possessing knockout power in both hands and the ability to absorb punishment just to dish out some of his own – and his stock is only on the rise after racking up six straight victories.
He would, however, need to call upon all of his physical strength and mental toughness when he goes up against the most storied knockout artist in the division.
Speaking of whom...
#5 Mark Hunt’s time up?
Mark Hunt isn’t a happy man.
Between his dissatisfaction with the UFC regarding the doping incidents involving Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem, and the fact that he was knocked out cold in his last fight, he would be itching to prove a point.
However, Hunt is getting on in age (he’s 43 now) and there is only that much punishment that those Polynesian bones can withstand. Legendary chin or not, even Mark Hunt is human.
But they say that even for a fighter on the decline, his power is the last to go. If even a fraction of that assertion is true, then Derrick Lewis may find out exactly why he’s up against a man known as the Super Samoan.
Watch UFC Fight Night Auckland: Derrick Lewis VS Mark Hunt – Live and Exclusive on SONY ESPN HD, SONY ESPN SD Sunday 11th June 2017 07:30 AM.
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