The UFC returns for its third event in as many weeks and it provides a strong offering as UFC on FOX 15 takes place Saturday from Newark, N.J.
Along with two of the UFC’s top middleweights squaring off in the main event, there are also a number of intriguing matchups on the preliminary portion of the card.
Here are five things to watch for at UFC on FOX 15.
Next in Line?
One man’s injury could be another man’s fortune. In the main event, No. 2-ranked middleweight Lyoto Machida battles No. 4-ranked Luke Rockhold. The co-main event was supposed to feature No. 6-ranked Yoel Romero taking on top-ranked contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, but an injury to Romero forced him off of this card. Instead, Chris Camozzi will take Romero’s spot as he returns to the UFC.
This matchup doesn’t have nearly the same implications as Machida-Rockhold and that benefits the two headliners on this card because in all likelihood the winner of this matchup will get the next middleweight title shot. Machida has lost just once since his drop to middleweight in 2013 – to current middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC 175 – while Rockhold has only lost twice through 15 career bouts. Neither fighter has a significant advantage in this fight and fans should expect a close encounter between two of the UFC’s most talented middleweights.
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Past vs. Present
Former WEC title contender Cub Swanson looks to get back on the winning track as he’s matched up with 23-year-old Max Holloway. Swanson (21-6) was on the cusp of a UFC featherweight title shot before losing by submission to Frankie Edgar in November. Prior to that, the Jackson-Winkeljohn product had won six in a row, including victories over Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Jeremy Stephens. A win over Holloway, who has won five straight, could immediately propel him back into title contention. Since his UFC debut in 2012, Holloway (12-3) has only lost three times, all to top contenders Conor McGregor, Poirier and Dennis Bermudez. Outside of that, the Hawaii native has looked outstanding, finishing four of his last five opponents. If Holloway can keep the momentum going and take out the veteran Swanson, he could undoubtedly be on the fast track to a 145-pound title shot.
Worthy of the Top 15?
Beneil Dariush and Aljamain Sterling look to make some noise on the night’s preliminary card. Dariush (10-1) takes on 30-fight veteran Jim Miller in a lightweight affair. Since his knockout loss to Ramsey Nijem at UFC Fight Night 39 last year, Dariush has earned stoppage victories in two of his last three bouts. A win over No. 12-ranked Miller, would undoubtedly propel the Kings MMA product into the UFC’s Top 15 rankings. Conversely for Sterling (10-0), who faces No. 6 bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki, a win over the Japanese fighter would likely propel him into the UFC’s 135-pound rankings.
Making a Statement
A pair of 205-pounder look to break through the pack in the light-heavyweight division, as Ovince Saint Preux meets Patrick Cummins. Saint Preux (17-6) is coming off the biggest victory of his career when he took out former UFC and PRIDE champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in just 34 seconds at a UFC Fight Night last November. The Tennessean has won six of his last seven fights and looks to erase the memory of his lacklustre loss to Ryan Bader less than a year ago. Cummins (7-1) has looked spectacular since losing his UFC debut to Daniel Cormier, racking off three straight victories. With the 205-pound class having a serious drop-off after the top contenders, the winner of this bout will be situated nicely in the division.
Not just a pretty face
Paige VanZant looks build off her impressive UFC debut last November when she meets TUF 20 competitor Felice Herrig. It’s no secret the UFC is rallying behind the attractive 21-year-old who signed a deal with clothing juggernaut Reebok earlier this year and could be a future star in the strawweight division. She faces savvy veteran in Herrig (10-5) who has double the amount of pro bouts along with the experience of fighting for Bellator and on The Ultimate Fighter. Prior to her semifinal elimination loss on TUF to Randa Markos, the 30-year-old had won five of six bouts. A win over a rising star like VanZant could undoubtedly propel the Chicago native up the 115-pound division. However, should VanZant emerge victorious yet again, expect the UFC’s marketing machine to go into overdrive ahead of her next fight.
Here is the full fight card:
MAIN CARD
— Lyoto Machida (22-5) vs. Luke Rockhold (13-2)
— Ronaldo Souza (21-3) vs. *Chris Camozzi (21-9)
— Cub Swanson (21-6) vs. Max Holloway (12-3)
— Felice Herrig (10-5) vs. Paige VanZant (4-1)
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Jim Miller (24-5) vs. Beneil Dariush (10-1)
— Ovince St Preux (17-6) vs. Patrick Cummins (7-1)
— Corey Anderson (4-0) vs. Gian Villante (12-5)
— Aljamain Sterling (10-0) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (20-8-2)
— Tim Means (23-6-1) vs. George Sullivan (16-3)
— Diego Brandao (18-10) vs. Jimy Hettes (11-2)
— Nick Catone (10-4) vs. Vitor Miranda (10-4)
— Eddie Gordon (7-2) vs. Chris Dempsey (10-2)
*Late replacement for the injured Yoel Romero