The UFC is in the midst of one of the busiest weeks in MMA history as UFC Fight Night 80, the TUF 22 Finale and UFC 194 take place on back-to-back-to-back nights starting Thursday. Since most of the attention has been on the two championship matchups (Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor and Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold), there are plenty of intriguing bouts that have become lost in the shuffle.
With that in mind, here are five fights flying under the radar heading into the weekend.
Jim Miller vs. Michael Chiesa – UFC Fight Night 80
Starting off this list is a pair of scrappy lightweights who likely will contend for Fight of the Night honours as 32-fight veteran Miller faces TUF 15 winner Chiesa. Miller (25-6, 1 NC) has been a UFC mainstay since 2008 and has only lost to top-flight competition in the UFC including Benson Henderson, Donald Cerrone and most recently Beneil Dariush. The 32-year old is coming off a decision victory over Danny Castillo and is hoping a win over Chiesa will keep him relevant in the lightweight division. Chiesa (12-2) has looked exceptional during his UFC tenure, but has endured two setbacks in the Octagon to Jorge Masvidal and Joe Lauzon. With a combined 21-career submission victories between the two of them, expect this matchup to turn into a jiu-jitsu clinic over the three-round affair.
Johnny Eduardo vs. Aljamain Sterling – UFC Fight Night 80
In matchup that could have major implications for the bantamweight division, No. 5-ranked contender Sterling matches up with No. 10-ranked Eduardo. At just 26, Sterling has yet to taste defeat through his 11-fight career and boasts seven finishes on his resume but Eduardo has the clear edge in experience. New York’s Sterling is a heavy 5-to-1 favourite heading into the matchup, but as Eduardo has played the role of spoiler before. In his last two victories – over Jeff Curran and Eddie Wineland – Eduardo was the underdog and he looks to prove his critics wrong once again. It’s a classic prospect versus veteran matchup that will surely entertain fans on the undercard.
Edson Barboza vs. Tony Ferguson – TUF 22 Finale
An intriguing matchup in the lightweight division pits Muay Thai specialist Barboza against TUF 13 winner Ferguson. Barboza (16-3) took this fight on short notice for the injured Khabib Nurmagomedov and is sure to impress as he boasts five Fight of the Night awards on his 19-fight resume. Ferguson (19-3) has won six straight fights – including four finishes – and is coming off a dominating unanimous decision victory over former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson at UFC Fight Night 71. While Barboza is arguably the more technical striker Ferguson also boasts nine career wins by knockout himself. Expect a Fight of the Night candidate between these two as the winner looks to inch one step closer to a 155-pound title shot.
Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes – TUF 22 Finale
It’s hard to believe the two best featherweights in the world – not named Aldo or McGregor – aren’t getting the type of hype they should be heading into Friday’s TUF 22 Finale main event. No. 2-ranked Edgar taking is taking on No. 3-ranked Mendes, in one of the most underrated matchups this weekend. Edgar (19-4-1) has won four straight fights and has yet to be finished in his 24-fight career. Despite being passed over for a short notice title shot against McGregor at UFC 189, Edgar will get right back in the contenders seat with a win over the Team Alpha Male member. Mendes (17-3) is coming off a hard fought loss to McGregor at UFC 189 which also marked his first defeat to someone other than Jose Aldo. Edgar will have championship experience on his side, while Mendes packs a bigger punch than his American foe. Priding himself on being one of the most durable fighters on the UFC roster, Edgar faces one of the most powerful strikers in the 145-pound division and you have to think the longer this fight goes, the more it favours the former UFC lightweight champion.
Demain Maia vs. Gunnar Nelson – UFC 194
Two of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in the welterweight division – and arguably MMA in general – clash on the UFC 194 main card as Brazilian Maia faces SBG Ireland product Nelson. Maia (21-6) is coming off an impressive second-round submission victory over Neil Magny at UFC 190, in which broke the TUF 16 contestant’s seven-fight win streak. Since back-to-back decision losses against Jake Shields and Rory MacDonald, Maia has shown during his recent three-fight winning streak that he’s still a force to be reckoned with at 170 pounds. Nelson (14-1-1) has looked spectacular since his Octagon debut in 2012 and has only tasted defeat once in his career with a split decision loss to Rick Story at UFC Fight Night 53. At just 27 years of age, Nelson is coming into his prime and faces arguably the toughest test of his career. It’s rare to see two high level jiu-jitsu aces square off against each other and for the purposes of the 170-pound division it’s an important matchup. At 38 years old, this may be Maia’s last opportunity at a UFC title run, while an impressive win for Nelson would undoubtedly make him a new contender in the welterweight division.
