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UFC 229 is finally here and we can't wait to see two fierce fighters in UFC history; Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, go one on one in the octagon this Saturday evening, 6th October live from T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Although this is far from a one-fight show as the main match-card includes plenty of different fights to look forward too. We look at the top 3 fights fans are eagerly waiting to witness.
#3 Derrick Lewis vs Alexander Volkov
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly how Derrick Lewis became a successful fighter. Known as the "Black Beast", he has made his way to 2nd position in the rankings winning 8 of the last 9 fights in the heavyweight division.
On the other hand, his opponent, Alexander Volkov, has a four-fight winning streak which is capped off by a dominating victory over Fabricio Werdum. He has been living up to his potential and closing in on getting a title shot.
Derrick Lewis (record 20-5-1) is not the most diverse fighter in UFC but his results cannot be denied. He is pretty much simple with his techniques in the octagon - explosive kicks at range, walks forwards with massive power punches, and is downright brutal if he is able to gain top position. A take down seems to be the best technique for Lewis as seen in his last 3 fights.
Alexander Volkov (30-6) is among the best-conditioned athlete in the Heavyweight division. A rangy kickboxer, he can break down opponents with constant kicks to upper body and legs. 20 of his wins in M have come via knockouts. He holds a massive advantage at range with his kicks, something Lewis has struggled in the past. Volkov has a kicking prowess and range to make life miserable for Lewis in the octagon.
#2 Tony Ferguson vs Anthony Pettis
Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson is probably the best fighter in the Lightweight division. He was stripped of the title because he isn't as much of a draw as the two fighters in our main event. Now that seems unfair given the reason why his title was taken away.
Although he now has a chance to prove himself in the octagon against Anthony "Showtime" Pettis and make it clear why the UFC officials had taken the wrong step.
Pettis has been hot-and-cold for few years, and to be honest, he has been more cold than hot. However, in his last match, he did show that he can be the best when he is on his game.
Tony Ferguson (23-3) is an offensive beast in the octagon who doesn't care what is thrown at him. He has heavy hands, crushing low kicks, sharp elbow and a stand up style that can break down his opponent to the ground. He is a master in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is nasty with his d'arce choke.
Ferguson doesn't go for takedowns and rather sticks to putting pressure and find the opening to submit his opponent or knockout. He is more of an opportunistic fighter. If Ferguson shows up, then we are in for a treat.
Anthony Pettis (21-7) is one of the premier kicks-and-submissions fighter in the sport. When he finds the space and opening, Pettis stalks his opponents, hammers them with brutal round kicks and often locks them into submission when they desperately try to wrestle back.
Pettis' ability to keep his fight at the kickboxing range will decide how his chances are against Ferguson. Ferguson has the upper hand in this fight with his pace and toughness already being better than Pettis. Pettis' kicks are absurdly hard.
So however tough Ferguson may be, one accurate body or head kick can shut him down. Fighting him off the fence can give Pettis many openings to land an accurate kick.
#3 Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
The fight we have all been waiting for. This was hyped for more than a year and it just got intense when Conor attacked the UFC team bus with 40 people on April 5th 2018 in which Khabib was travelling along with other fighters.
This happened right after the UFC 223 media event and Conor was arrested for creating havoc and injuring other fighters by throwing steel object on the window. Now they take their matters into the octagon giving the fans what they wished for.
Khabib "The Eagle" Nurmagomedev is 26-0 in his MMA career with 10-0 in UFC. He has won 38 per cent of his fights by decisions. He is coming off a win against Al Iaquinta in April. Khabib is averaging 4.34 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 44.9 percent.
He has produced combined takedowns of 10 in his last two fights and consistently keeps on showing why he is considered the best grappler and wrestler in the sport. Khabib is very relentless with his takedown attempts which he keeps on throwing at the opponent and make him unstable.
This helps Khabib to take the fight where he wants and dominate the fight. His ground game is very strong, is quick with his feet and can certainly hold it striking wise. There are a few defensive errors in him which can be exposed but overall, the case can be made about the Russian that he is the best pound for pound fighter out there.
Conor "The Notorious" McGregor enters this fight with a 21-3 record in MMA. 86 percent wins from him have come via knockout. He has won 10 of his last 11 fights coming off a win against Eddie Alvarez. Although that fight was in 2016, almost 2 years since he stepped in an octagon. He last year fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a boxing match where he eventually lost the fight but showed great potential in the boxing ring.
A 2-year gap from the sport might play against McGregor but the numbers he has put up certainly wouldn't count him out. He averages 5.82 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 62.3 percent. The king of trash talk, Conor is the toughest fighter in the sport.
He has a tough chin and relentlessly striking game that allows him to trade with nearly anyone standing up and get better of him. McGregor can be sneaky with his leg kicks and does an above-average job of defending takedowns. His key strength, however, is his left punch.
That sudden striking from is left fist can make the opponent unstable and if lands accurately, mostly near the jaw, then it is a knockout, Jose Aldo knows it. His weakness is that he is a bit uncomfortable on the canvas as three of his losses have all come under submissions.
The press conference is done. The trash talk is done. It's time to see who stands tall in the Octagon. Who's side are you on? Will it be the "The Eagle" taking his unbeaten record to 27-0 or is it "The Notorious" who will put "1" in Khabib's unbeaten record?
