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UFC 219 is here and looks to close out an eventful calendar year in style for the UFC.
Arguably the best pound-for-pound female fighter in the world today, Cris Cyborg defends her UC Featherweight Championship against fellow combat sports legend Holly Holm. Meanwhile, a top-3 contender in the muddy Lightweight waters will emerge as Khabib Nurmagomedov competes against Edson Barboza.
Several other intriguing matchups on the UFC 219 card shall take place at the T-Mobile Arena, the Preview & Predictions of which have been detailed below—
*Indian fans can watch UFC 219 at 8:30 am Sunday, December 31st, Live & Exclusive on SONY ESPN & SONY ESPN HD*
Main Card (PPV)
#1 Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm
The buildup to this matchup has been eerily similar to that of Holly’s Holm’s clash with Ronda Rousey which led to one of the greatest upsets of all time.
However, one ought to note that unlike Rousey—who at the time of her fight with Holm was juggling several Hollywood commitments with her MMA career—Cris Cyborg is completely focused on the task at hand. Nevertheless, Cyborg’s aggressive striking style plays right into Holm’s patient, defensive, counter-striking style.
Cyborg enjoys an advantage in the power department as well as the grappling sphere, however, Holm should be the more technical striker of the two; and fans can expect the latter to weather the early storm before gradually out-pointing Cyborg until a late-head kick secures Holly yet another monumental upset.
Make no mistake about it, Cyborg can end this fight with one well-timed strike, or by way of a flash submission on the mat, but when fighting someone as composed and calculated as Holm, going for the kill at all times is key. That, in turn, is easier said than done, as Holm is likely to play matador to her foe’s bull; en route to a barrage of surgical counter-punches, with a head kick as an exclamation point.
Prediction: Holly Holm def. Cris Cyborg via TKO
#2 Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza
This is Khabib’s fight to lose, however, given the health issues he’s suffered between this fight and his last, it’s tough to say what version of the Dagestani grappling wizard the MMA world would get to see at UFC 219.
Barboza has faced mental blocks in marquee fights in the past—something for which he’s roped in the services of qualified medical professionals and experienced considerably positive results over his last few fights. Barboza has to keep his distance from Khabib and pepper the latter with strikes.
However, Khabib is likely to eventually close the distance before taking Barboza to the ground and pounding him into oblivion with a barrage of punches and elbows from top position. Khabib has this fight in the pocket unless his body is completely shot due to his laundry list of injuries and well-documented health issues over the past few months.
Prediction: Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Edson Barboza via TKO
#3 Cynthia Calvillo vs. Carla Esparza
Cynthia Calvillo has taken the UFC Strawweight Division by storm ever since entering the Octagon.
What she faces in former UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza is her toughest test to date. Esparza has rudimentary striking, but her wrestling game is second to none, which in turn could cause Calvillo considerable issues down the stretch in particular.
Look for Calvillo to outpoint Esparza on the feet, with this fight being competitive on the ground. Calvillo is likely to do enough so as to sway the judges in her favour.
Prediction: Cynthia Calvillo def. Carla Esparza via Decision
#4 Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny
Carlos Condit in his prime was one of the greatest fighters in MMA history.
However, following several bloody wars with the likes of Robbie Lawler, Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks, Nick Diaz, Martin Kampmann and several others, Condit has taken a ton of damage and resultantly isn’t free of wear & tear. His reflexes seem to have slowed down as well, especially looking at his fight against Demian Maia.
Regardless, if Condit is even half the fighter he once was, this is his fight to lose. The Natural Born Killer is likely to outclass Magny on the feet; with the grappling scrambles being even-steven; enough to impress the judges to score the fight in favour of Condit.
Prediction: Carlos Condit def. Neil Magny via Decision
#5 Dan Hooker vs. Marc Diakiese
Dan and Marc represent two young, hungry fighters looking to break into the big time with emphatic performances.
However, Marc Diakiese seems to be the one with the more well-rounded MMA skill-set and greater striking skills. Look for Diakiese to time Hooker coming into boxing range for the highlight reel KO victory.
Don’t blink.
Prediction: Marc Diakiese def. Dan Hooker via KO
Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)
#1 Khalil Rountree vs. Micha? Oleksiejczuk
Khalil Rountree has consistently underperformed over the course of his MMA career. His striking and grappling skills are above average but never quite seem to mesh together inside the Octagon.
Regardless, against Micha? Oleksiejczuk look for Rountree to open up and let his hands go. Rountree is the better grappler as well, could possibly finish this fight on the ground by way of either strikes or a submission, provided that he pushes the pace.
Nevertheless, fans can expect Rountree to win a clear-cut decision after dominating Micha? Oleksiejczuk over the course of 3 rounds.
Prediction: Khalil Rountree def. Micha? Oleksiejczuk via Decision
#2 Myles Jury vs. Rick Glenn
Myles Jury started off his UFC career red hot but seems to have fallen off since a disappointing loss to Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
Jury has excellent grappling and decent striking but seems to have lost the zest he brought to the table before his loss to Cerrone. However, opposite someone such as Rick Glenn, it may not affect Jury as much as it would against the divisional elite.
Provided that Jury is mentally up for the fight, he’s likely to dominate Glenn from pillar to post. Look for the first two rounds to be a striking clinic form Jury with a few takedowns sprinkled here and there. Once in his rhythm, Jury will go in for the kill in Round 3.
Prediction: Myles Jury def. Rick Glenn via Submission
#3 Louis Smolka vs. Matheus Nicolau
Louis Smolka is an excellent mat technician, and when that Octagon door slams shut, it’ll show.
Look for Smolka to pepper Nicolau with slick punching combos from long range; following which he’s likely to take matters to the ground. Smolka has a vastly underrated ground game, which will shine through at UFC 219.
Following a steady stream of punches and elbows, Smolka is likely to finish this fight by way of submission.
Prediction: Louis Smolka def. Matheus Nicolau via Submission
#4 Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov
Marvin Vettori has decent boxing fundamentals and his steadily improving his grappling game as well.
Fans can expect Vettori to outpoint Akhmedov in the early going. Following a rough first couple of rounds, Akhmedov may try and turn this into a phone booth fight, so to speak.
Nevertheless, Vettori should do enough so as to impress the judges en route to a clear-cut decision win.
Prediction: Marvin Vettori def. Omari Akhmedov via Decision
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Tim Elliott vs. Mark De La Rosa
Tim Elliott is a decent scrapper and considerably tough to finish—the kind of warrior who, rather than giving up, prefers to go out on his shield.
Look for Elliott to out-strike Mark De La Rosa throughout, in addition to dominating the grappling exchanges as well. In the end, the judges are likely to award the decision to Elliott.
Prediction: Tim Elliott def. Mark De La Rosa via Decision
