Fights You Need To See Before: UFC 238
UFC 238 is rapidly approaching and that means the octagon heads to Chicago for a great night of action. The card is set to handle Ferguson’s return and a double title headliner. There are 10 fighters on the main card and we’re going to go through them all and I’ll be recommending the fights they’ve been in and what ones you should watch before the PPV.
Tatiana Suarez (7-0)
Tatiana Suarez is 7-0 in MMA and at the age of 28, she could be the future of the strawweight division. She won the ultimate fighter and incredibly young and has had only 7 fights so it’s hard what fight you should check out.
Fight you should check out: Tatiana Suarez Vs. Carla Esparza (UFC 228)
This fight was Suarez’s most recent fight. Esparza has a win over Rose Namajunas - the former champion. This fight shows people just what Suarez can do inside the octagon and her most impressive victory to date.
Fight you should check out: Tatiana Suarez Vs. Carla Esparza (UFC 228)
This fight was Suarez’s most recent fight. Esparza has a win over Rose Namajunas - the former champion. This fight shows people just what Suarez can do inside the octagon and her most impressive victory to date.
Nina Ansaroff (10-5)
The fiancé of Amanda Nunes has a good record in her own right, 10 wins and 5 losses, not too shabby for The Strina.
Fight you should check out: Nina Ansaroff Vs. Angela Hill (UFC Fight Night: Poirier Vs. Pettis)
This fight was away back in 2017 but it’s still a fight you should check out. Hill is a regular name in the strawweight division so with a win over her, Ansaroff started her hunt for the belt and it continues at 238.
Fight you should check out: Nina Ansaroff Vs. Angela Hill (UFC Fight Night: Poirier Vs. Pettis)
This fight was away back in 2017 but it’s still a fight you should check out. Hill is a regular name in the strawweight division so with a win over her, Ansaroff started her hunt for the belt and it continues at 238.
Petr Yan (12-1)
At the age of 26, it really does seem that Petr Yan is the future of the bantamweight division. He’s Russian and we already know how effective Russians are at MMA just look at Khabib and Zabit for instance.
Fight you should check out: Petr Yan Vs. John Dodson (UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz Vs. Santos)
This is the fight that really put Petr Yan on notice, before this fight I wasn’t really familiar with Petr Yan. This fight saw Yan dominate Dodson and he really will be a big player in the bantamweight division, I expect to see Yan Vs. Moraes for the bantamweight title sometime in the near future as he will be a big player as I previously mentioned. I also see Yan fighting later this year - most likely UFC 242.
Fight you should check out: Petr Yan Vs. John Dodson (UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz Vs. Santos)
This is the fight that really put Petr Yan on notice, before this fight I wasn’t really familiar with Petr Yan. This fight saw Yan dominate Dodson and he really will be a big player in the bantamweight division, I expect to see Yan Vs. Moraes for the bantamweight title sometime in the near future as he will be a big player as I previously mentioned. I also see Yan fighting later this year - most likely UFC 242.
Jimmie Rivera (22-3)
This is a big test for Rivera, if he loses this then I can’t imagine him getting anywhere near the bantamweight title. Every time Rivera gets some momentum, it is instantly ruined by somebody else. Rivera had a somewhat difficult 2018, his first fight of the year he lost to Marlon Moraes in just 33 seconds in a fight which was definitely blink or you’ll miss it. He then went on to fight John Dodson in a fight which he win by decision.
Fight you should check out: Jimmie Rivera Vs. John Dodson (UFC 228)
If you’re to watch Yan’s performance against Dodson then it only makes sense if you watch Rivera’s performance against Dodson. Both contests were entertaining and I’m really looking forward to Yan Vs. Rivera.
Fight you should check out: Jimmie Rivera Vs. John Dodson (UFC 228)
If you’re to watch Yan’s performance against Dodson then it only makes sense if you watch Rivera’s performance against Dodson. Both contests were entertaining and I’m really looking forward to Yan Vs. Rivera.
Donald Cerrone (36-11)
It seems like a lifetime ago when Cowboy Cerrone went on a 3 fight losing streak however it was only 2 year ago and even then the people he lost to where on a much better level as he lost to powerful Jorge Masvidal, former welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler and rising through the ranks at the time, Darren Till. Back in June of last year, Cerrone lost to Leon Edwards however 6 days later, his son was born and he’s been undefeated since. Ever since becoming a father, it seems that cowboy has been more ruthless and more dangerous.
Fight you should check out: Donald Cerrone Vs. Al Iaquinta (UFC Fight Night: Cerrone Vs. Iaquinta)
I was deciding whether to put this fight or the Mike Perry fight but this just seems more fitting considering who Cerrone is next fighting. This fight shows that not only can Cerrone take damage, he can also give it out. This fight was really entertaining and a well-deserved victory for Cerrone.
Fight you should check out: Donald Cerrone Vs. Al Iaquinta (UFC Fight Night: Cerrone Vs. Iaquinta)
I was deciding whether to put this fight or the Mike Perry fight but this just seems more fitting considering who Cerrone is next fighting. This fight shows that not only can Cerrone take damage, he can also give it out. This fight was really entertaining and a well-deserved victory for Cerrone.
Tony Ferguson (24-3)
It’s brilliant to see Tony Ferguson return, I actually thought we would never see him back but here we are and it’s not an easy fight for him to come back to as he takes on Cerrone. Ferguson is on an eleven win streak and has no plans on slowing down.
Fight you should check out: Tony Ferguson Vs. Anthony Pettis (UFC 229)
This was an all out war. This was Ferguson’s most recent fight so this is what you can expect from El Cucuy and how good he is. He’s a little bit unorthodox in a way where he can do anything and this is just going to be such a big fight for both men.
Fight you should check out: Tony Ferguson Vs. Anthony Pettis (UFC 229)
This was an all out war. This was Ferguson’s most recent fight so this is what you can expect from El Cucuy and how good he is. He’s a little bit unorthodox in a way where he can do anything and this is just going to be such a big fight for both men.
Jessica Eye (14-6)
It’s going to be hard for Jessica Eye to win this fight. She’s got a hard challenge in front of her and beating Shevchenko will not be an easy task. Returning to Flyweight, Eye has been on a tear and hasn’t lost a fight since last January and has really deserved this title opportunity.
Fight you should check out: Katlyn Chookagian (UFC 231)
This fight was intense and was Eye’s most recent fight and you should check this fight out as it shows you what Eye is capable of doing. She won this fight with two of the judges voting her the victory (29-28) while her opponent, Katlyn Chookagian won the vote of another judge who favoured her winning (29-28).
Fight you should check out: Katlyn Chookagian (UFC 231)
This fight was intense and was Eye’s most recent fight and you should check this fight out as it shows you what Eye is capable of doing. She won this fight with two of the judges voting her the victory (29-28) while her opponent, Katlyn Chookagian won the vote of another judge who favoured her winning (29-28).
Valentina Shevchenko (16-3)
I can’t see Valentina Shevchenko losing her flyweight title anytime soon - she’s an absolute monster at Flyweight and she’s had an incredible career. She’s fought names such as the former strawweight queen, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Amanda Nunes and even Holly Holm.
Fight you should check out: Valentina Shevchenko Vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC 231)
Back at UFC 231, Valentina Shevchenko battled it out with Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant flyweight Championship. This was arguably Shevchenko‘ most dominant fight of her career as the scorecards were each 49-46.
Fight you should check out: Valentina Shevchenko Vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC 231)
Back at UFC 231, Valentina Shevchenko battled it out with Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant flyweight Championship. This was arguably Shevchenko‘ most dominant fight of her career as the scorecards were each 49-46.
Marlon Moraes (22-5)
I’m really glad Marlon Moraes is getting a title shot - he’s really deserving and a really dynamic fighter. The victory over Dodson - who really has took a beating in this article, is when I really took notice of the Brazilian. The scary thing about Moraes is, he can finish you in a variety of was - not only is he known for his variety of knockouts but he can slap on a submission with just a click of a fingers.
Fight you should check out: Marlon Moraes Vs. Raphael Assuncao 2 (UFC Fight Night)
This proved that Moraes is a very talented fighter as he disposed of Assuncao in the first round. The magician hasn’t lost a fight since 2017 and has beaten everybody in his way. His last 3 fights haven’t went to the second round and it’ll be interesting to see if Cejudo makes it past to the second.
Fight you should check out: Marlon Moraes Vs. Raphael Assuncao 2 (UFC Fight Night)
This proved that Moraes is a very talented fighter as he disposed of Assuncao in the first round. The magician hasn’t lost a fight since 2017 and has beaten everybody in his way. His last 3 fights haven’t went to the second round and it’ll be interesting to see if Cejudo makes it past to the second.
Henry Cejudo (14-2)
The Flyweight Champion is set to go up to bantamweight to fight Marlon Moraes who we’ve previously talked about. If you lived in a rock under a rock the. You might not know that Cejudo won a gold medal in wrestling which is mighty impressive.
Fight you should check out: Henry Cejudo Vs. T.J Dillashaw (UFC Fight Night)
The former bantamweight champion dropped down to flyweight to fight Cejudo and Cejudo took him out in just 32 seconds. The hand speed is what really took Dillashaw out and he’s extremely fast for a Flyweight and that’s what may benefit Cejudo in this bout however it may disadvantage him as when Cejudo rushes in - Moraes may hit him with a massive kick or even a close knee to the skull which we’ve seen Moraes do before, it’s certainly going to be an interesting fight.
Fight you should check out: Henry Cejudo Vs. T.J Dillashaw (UFC Fight Night)
The former bantamweight champion dropped down to flyweight to fight Cejudo and Cejudo took him out in just 32 seconds. The hand speed is what really took Dillashaw out and he’s extremely fast for a Flyweight and that’s what may benefit Cejudo in this bout however it may disadvantage him as when Cejudo rushes in - Moraes may hit him with a massive kick or even a close knee to the skull which we’ve seen Moraes do before, it’s certainly going to be an interesting fight.
