How things change over the course of a day! Until a few hours ago, UFC 209 seemed like the stronger show when compared to Fastlane, but one decision has brought it all crashing down altogether. All things considered, Fastlane really seems like the superior draw for fans of combat sports/entertainment (over UFC 209), at least in this weekend. While we can qualitatively only come to a conclusion after both the events transpire, as it stands UFC 209 looks like a tad underdone due to the most alluring fight being scrapped.
Let’s dive straight into why we think this is the case.
#5- Cancellation of the real UFC 209 main event
This wasn't the advertised main event. However to millions of fans across the globe, it certainly was. The undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov (8-0 in the UFC) against the man on a 9 match winning streak- Tony Ferguson. Sadly for all the fans who were looking forward to this bout, the fight had to be cancelled!
After two previous cancellations of the same fight, Khabib Nurmagomedov had to be hospitalised just hours before this much-awaited contest. The official reason was that Nurmagomedov had problems arising from the fact that he had to make weight. An unfortunate blow.
This weakens the UFC 209 card. UFC 209 went from looking like a very powerful card to looking just about okay! We're certain that the remaining fights will be good, but this was the match that all the hype was built around.
It would take a very good fight from Woodley and Thompson in the main event to repair the damage that’s been done with this.
#4- Samoa Joe vs Sami Zayn
Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn are two talented superstars who put NXT on the map of sports entertainment! We saw the magic they worked in a 2-out-of-3 match on NXT. This time, they get to recreate the same carnage in the main roster once again.
These are two men who've elevated professional wrestling to an art form and their chemistry is certain to be off the charts for sure. Much like UFC 209, while the hype is around the advertised main event, this is the real show stopper for most of the smarks. Let's hope both men bring their A-Game this Sunday.
Another match that’s certain to be a winner is Neville vs. Jack Gallagher. Simply cannot wait.
#3- Mark Hunt’s reluctance to fight Overeem
Most fighters are excited before their big fights. It is safe to say that Mark Hunt is not. Not by a long shot indeed.
Mark Hunt, at present, has a lawsuit pending against UFC as they allegedly let Brock Lesnar compete against him at UFC 200 despite the fact that they were aware that he was using banned substances; thereby waiving off the 4-month mandatory testing period of USADA.
He says he is being forced to compete against Overeem, as he was told that he would be going against the terms of his contract if he refused to fight. This casts a dark shadow over the match and we wonder if Mark will fight wholeheartedly at all.
And who can blame him, considering that Overeem has been a well known user of PEDs in the past.
#2- Alleged big returns!
With the card being as lacklustre as it is, rumours are rife that we may be in for some really big returns at Fastlane. It is rumored that The Undertaker may come to challenge Roman Reigns for their big Wrestlemania 33 match.
Jericho may return to cost Kevin Owens the Universal Championship against Goldberg. There are even rumours of Finn Balor making his huge comeback at the pay-per-view. While none of these things are certain, they add an air of unpredictability to Fastlane that cannot be matched by UFC 209.
It would be neat to have run-ins during a UFC match, though.
#1- Changing dynamics before Wrestlemania 33
One must remember that while Fastlane is not the biggest show of the year, it is the show prior to the biggest show of the year. Heading into Wrestlemania, change frequently on the pay-per-view. as matches are made for the grandest stage of them all.
Will Enzo and Big Cass go into Wrestlemania 33 as the tag team champions? Will Jack Gallagher manage to defeat Neville and win the title from him? Will Sasha Banks turn on Bayley and go heel, considering that they've been acting extra chummy on Instagram?
Will Kevin Owens manage to somehow outwit Goldberg and retain his Universal Championship? All these questions and more will be answered this Sunday night at WWE Fastlane.
In comparison, the magnitude of UFC 209 seems underwhelming.
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