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UFC is finally back and it couldn’t have come soon enough! UFC 249 will take place this weekend in sunny Florida in front of essential personnel only. The card is loaded from top to bottom as everyone has had a nice chunk of time to rest, and they are eager to fight.
Have fight camps been closed? Will making weight be an issue? So much is still to be determined and we cannot wait to see it unfold. With this card being as loaded as it is, I thought it would be best to submit two articles this week.
The first one today, breaking down the “undercard”, and the second later this week for the “main card”. Quite honestly, this undercard is so stacked it could be it’s own main card on a non PPV. Just a great show. Let’s get right to it.
Fight Uriah Hall vs Ronaldo Souza
Summary – At one point this would have a been a main event. However, since the struggles of Souza have begun, losing 4 of his last 6, and is last 2 in a row, this fight has dropped down the card. Souza is still tough with big time wins over Chris Weidman, Vitor Belfort, Robbie Lawler and Gegard Mousasi. At 40 and with 35 fights on his resume, once has to wonder about is gas tank however.
Uriah Hall is known for flashy wins over the likes of Chris Leben, Gegard Mousasi and several others. But at 15-9 overall he has truly never reached that superstar status some pegged him for coming off the Ultimate Fighter Series.
Pick – Souza by Dec
Fight Carla Esparza va Michelle Waterson
Summary – Michelle Waterson is much more than incredible looks; she can fight too! Despite a recent loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Waterson is still extremely talented and a winner of 3 straight before that defeat. She can knock you out when you least expect it and has made her name on submissions. If she gets behind you on the ground, you can pretty much forget it.
Since beating “Thug” Rose Namajunas to win The Ultimate Fighter in December 2014, Carla has been up and down ever since. I expect her to bring the fight to Waterson and keep this one close for awhile.
Pick – Waterson by submission in the closing moments of the fight
Fight Aleksei Oleinik vs Fabricio Werdum
Summary – I saw this fight on the card and my first thought was, where the heck has Werdum been? It seems like years since he fought. His last fight was in March of 2018, and his last win was in the fall of 2017. It’s been a while for Fabricio but you cannot take away the fact that he is a former World Heavyweight Champion.
He is also known as the man, who on June 26, 2010, became the first man to beat “Fedor’ in nearly a decade. He has multiple wins over the biggest names in the history of the division and can outclass anyone he gets in there with. Wins over Travis Browne twice, Cain Velasquez, Mark Hunt, Roy Nelson, Alistair Overeem twice, Bigfoot Silva, Big Nog and several others.
His opponent Aleksei on the other hand is still looking for that signature win. Hard to fathom when you consider this will be his 73rd professional fight. Yes, you’re reading that right. Fatigue or stamina won’t be an issue for him either as he has fought 3 plus times in a night countless time as well. The man is seasoned.
Pick – Werdum by KO
Donald Cerrone vs Anthony Pettis
Summary – It’s only right that the first card back would feature two men who have a combined 51 fights in the UFC Cage. Few may remember, but this is actually a rematch between the two with Pettis getting the best of it the last time around. Cerrone got knocked out with a vicious body kick back in January of 2013.
Speaking of being knocked out, that is something Cerrone has gotten quite used to as of late. He has lost his last three fights by first or second round knockout and looked miserable in all of them. It’s been a rough stretch as he has lost 7 of his last 11 fights with 5 of those 7 coming by knockout.
In December of 2014 at 18-2, Pettis was seen as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. He was also UFC Lightweight Champion at the time as well. Since then, it has been a long and dark road for the one-time sensation. He is just 4 -8 since his title win. He has missed weight and just continues to struggle.
Both guys will give a very entertaining first round, but after that is anyone’s guess. I still think Pettis has a world of talent but fighting under Duke Rufus has never allowed him to evolve. I do think Pettis will be back to his vintage self-Saturday, at least for one night.
Pick – Pettis by KO
