On paper, UFC 187 might be one of the most stacked events we’ll see this year. Two championship matchups, along with fan favourites like Donald Cerrone and Andrei Arlovski competing on the main card, it’s well worth the price of a pay-per-view. But, often on a card with this much star power, it’s easy to overlook some of the other fights.
Here are five under the radar matchups for UFC 187.
John Dodson vs. Zach Makovsky
In a fight that will likely determine the next challenger to Demetrious Johnson’s flyweight title, Dodson vs. Makovsky is a fantastic clash in the 125-pound division. Since losing a unanimous decision to UFC champion Johnson at UFC on FOX 6 in 2013, Dodson has won two straight fights by knockout. Injuries have derailed the TUF 14 winner the past year, but a win over the Tristar product Makvosky would undoubtedly earn him another shot at “Mighty Mouse.” Since joining the UFC in 2013, Makovsky has amassed an impressive 3-1 record and is the former Bellator bantamweight champion. The 32-year-old has never been knocked out and will likely look to keep this fight on the feet as three of his five career losses have been by way of submission.
Josh Burkman vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Former WSOF welterweight champion Burkman is paired up with Korean judoka, Kim, in a welterweight affair. The 35-year-old returned to the UFC after nearly a seven-year hiatus and came up short against Hector Lombard at UFC 182. Kim had his four-fight win streak snapped when he was knocked out by Tyron Woodley at UFC Fight Night 48 last August. Both of these fighters are in need of a victory and neither fighter is afraid to stand and trade. Burkman hasn’t won a fight in the UFC since 2007, while Kim has never lost two straight fights in his career.
Uriah Hall vs. Rafael Natal
TUF 17 runner up Hall looks for his first four-fight win streak since 2010 as he’s paired up with Brazilian middleweight Natal. The 30-year-old is coming off an impressive first-round knockout over Ron Stallings at UFC Fight Night 59 in January, and if he can notch another impressive victory, he’d likely earn a top-flight opponent in his next bout. Since losing two straight against Tim Kennedy and Ed Herman, Natal has bounced back with two wins of his own over Chris Camozzi and most recently Tom Watson at UFC 183 in January. It’s no secret Hall will look to keep this fight on the feet while the BJJ black belt Natal will look to bring this fight to the canvas. Hall has never been submitted in his 14-fight career, so this could be a long night for the Renzo Gracie product.
Rose Namajunas vs. Nina Ansaroff
Strawweight sensation Namajunas looks for her first official UFC victory when she’s paired with ATT product Ansaroff. “Thug” came up short in the TUF 20 finale against Carla Esparza and will look for her first professional win since April of 2013. Miami native Ansaroff had her five-fight winning streak snapped when she lost to Juliana Lima at UFC Night 56 last November. With newly crowned champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk dethroning former champion Esparza back in March at UFC 185, the winner of this matchup will be situated nicely in the 115-pound division.
Justin Scoggins vs. Josh Sampo
Remember when Scoggins was considered the next big thing in the flyweight division? Unfortunately back-to-back losses to Dustin Ortiz and John Moraga have halted the hype of the 23-year-old ATT product. In desperate need of a victory to prove his relevancy at 125 pounds, Scoggins is paired up with Sampo who has also lost two straight. With champion Demetrious Johnson essentially cleaning out the division, both fighters have a major opportunity on Saturday to propel themselves up the flyweight rankings.
Here’s the entire UFC 187 fight card:
MAIN CARD
— Daniel Cormier (15-1) vs. Anthony Johnson (19-4)
— Chris Weidman (12-0) vs. Vitor Belfort (24-10)
— John Makdessi (13-3) vs. Donald Cerrone (27-6)
— Andrei Arlovski (23-10) vs. Travis Browne (17-2-1)
— Joseph Benavidez (21-4) vs. John Moraga (16-3)
PRELIMINARY CARD
— John Dodson (16-6) vs. Zach Makovsky (19-5)
— Josh Burkman (27-11) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (19-3-1)
— Uriah Hall (10-4) vs. Rafael Natal (19-6-1)
— Rose Namajunas (2-2) vs. Nina Ansaroff (6-4)
— Mike Pyle (26-10-1) vs. Colby Covington (7-0)
— Leo Kuntz (17-1-1) vs. Islam Makhachev (11-0)
— Josh Sampo (11-4) vs. Justin Scoggins (9-2)