UFC 213 is over. Now all eyes turn to the blockbuster UFC 214 on July 29 in Anaheim, California.
To say UFC 214 is the biggest card of 2017 thus far would be an understatement. One need only look at the lineup of fights to realize that this is one of the greatest cards in UFC history.
Main Card (Pay-Per-View)
Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones
Tyron Woodley vs. Demian Maia
Cris Cyborg vs. Tonya Evinger
Ricardo Lamas vs. Jason Knight
Robbie Lawler vs. Donald Cerrone
Jimi Manuwa vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Preliminary Card (FXX)
Aljamain Sterling vs. Renan Barao
Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega
Sage Northcutt vs. John Makdessi
Andre Fili vs. TBA
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Eric Shelton vs. Jarred Brooks
Kailin Curran vs. Alexandra Albu
Josh Burkman vs. Drew Dober
Dmitrii Smoliakov vs. Adam Wieczorek
With three title fights, two possible top-contender bouts and a long list of leading prospects set to throw down, it's worth giving the once-over to the entire fight card.
So jump right in, and enjoy Bleacher Report's early preview of UFC 214.
Preliminary Card Bouts
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Sage Northcutt vs. John Makdessi
Following Sage Northcutt's tough submission loss to Mickey Gall at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 17, the UFC was looking to throw him a softball in the form of Claudio Puelles, per MMAjunkie. That fight fell apart, and the company decided to throw him a hardball (or at least, a harder ball) in the form of John Makdessi. The Canadian isn't an elite fighter by any stretch of the imagination, but he has the tools to take a straightforward win over the 21-year-old.
Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega
Featherweight super-prospect Brian Ortega is back after a yearlong layoff to face regular prospect Renato Moicano. Both men have been on similar career trajectories to this point (outside Ortega's failed drug test), but while the Brazilian has been outpointing opponents en route to split decisions, Ortega has been finishing them and should enter UFC 214 as a clear favorite.
Kailin Curran vs. Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu signed with the UFC back in 2013 and has only fought once since. That's a shame, since she looked promising in her debut (which didn't come until April 2015 at UFC Fight Night). She returns after two years against a struggling Kailin Curran in a fight that stands as a pick 'em, solely based on Albu's inactivity.
Josh Burkman vs. Drew Dober
This might be a loser-leaves-town match. Drew Dober is settled into a gatekeeper spot in his career and is coming off an ugly submission loss in December to Olivier Aubin-Mercier at UFC 206. That's not a good place to be since the UFC has been is cutting a dozen fighters at a time. That said, Josh Burkman is (more or less) 1-6 in his most recent UFC run and enters UFC 214 on a three-fight losing streak, making it odd that he's still in the promotion at all.
Dmitrii Smoliakov vs. Adam Wieczorek
Speaking of fighters with records that traditionally result in a pink slip, heavyweight Dmitrii Smoliakov is stepping back into the Octagon following two ugly stoppage losses in his first two UFC fights. He welcomes a debuting Adam Wieczorek to the cage in what will likely be his last fight in the company.
Noteworthy Bouts
Robbie Lawler vs. Donald Cerrone
It was on. Then it was off. Then it was on. Then it was off. Now, it's back on...and fans couldn't be happier.
This fight was initially booked for UFC 213 and was previewed by this writer last month. The details haven't changed, and a lengthy breakdown can be found on the preview for last Saturday night's show. Check it out for all the details.
Jimi Manuwa vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones are set to throw down in the UFC 214 main event, but that doesn't mean the fight is going to happen. MMA fans have seen Cormier vs. Jones bouts cancelled or delayed several times now in their lengthy rivalry, and the UFC has a plan B here in Jimi Manuwa vs. Volkan Oezdemir.
In the shallow light heavyweight division, both men have gone from relative unknowns to legitimate contenders in just 12 months' time. While their recent wins and knockout power would combine for an exciting top contender's bout on any other card, at UFC 214, this contest is merely an insurance plan in case another disappointment befalls the headliner.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Renan Barao
The UFC knows how to hold a grudge, and Renan Barao and Aljamain Sterling are great examples of that.
Both men drew the ire of the UFC for silly reasons (a health scare at an inopportune time and actually negotiating a contract, respectively). Both men have been seemingly punished with disadvantageous matchmaking and less prominent placement on cards. Both find themselves at a career crossroads, and the UFC is making sure only one of them can turn the corner.
It's tough to guess how the fight will go, given the lack of in-cage consistency from either one. Sterling is a stiff test, though, and should be able to challenge Barao in ways he hasn't been to this point.
Ricardo Lamas vs. Jason Knight
Jason Knight's stock is rising very, very quickly. The 24-year-old has looked generally excellent in the UFC thus far, and he posted strong finishes in his last two fights over Alex Caceres (UFC Fight Night on Jan. 28) and Chas Skelly (UFC 211 on May 13). Now he has the chance to cement himself as a top-10 featherweight by facing Ricardo Lamas.
That's a tall order for the youngster, but it's doable. While Lamas has stuck around in the top 10 of the featherweight division for years, he has struggled to post good performances against higher-end fighters while consistently running through mid-level opposition.
If Knight can get through him—and look good doing it—it proves he is a legitimate, championship-caliber fighter.
Cris Cyborg vs. Tonya Evinger
Prediction: Cris Cyborg def. Tonya Evinger by TKO in Round 4
Tyron Woodley. vs. Demian Maia
Prediction: Tyron Woodley def. Demian Maia by Unanimous Decision
Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones 2
Prediction: Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier by Unanimous Decision