UFC 242 Preview

UFC 242 Preview

By Anuj Datta

UFC 242 will mark the organisation’s first visit to Abu Dhabi since 2014, and features an exciting lightweight unification headliner between interim champ Dustin Poirier and the reigning champ Khabib Nurmagomedov.

In what will feel like a hometown crowd for Nurmagomedov, “The Eagle” is putting his crown and 27-0 unblemished record on the line against fan favourite Poirier. It is an intriguing matchup, as it is hard to imagine anyone being able to withstand the superior grappling skills of Khabib, but the perennial underdog has proven time and time again that he isn’t to be overlooked.

“The Diamond” had beaten several former champions enroute to facing Max Holloway for the interim lightweight title. Even though Holloway was moving up a division, he was the favourite to win. But Poirier beat him impressively and in doing so, snapped the featherweight king’s 13 fight win streak.

That put him in pole position, and he now has the unenviable task of dethroning arguably the greatest 155lb fighter in UFC history. Where Poirier has the advantage is in the striking department, and should he able to keep this on the feet, we might bear witness to the biggest MMA upset in recent memory.

In the co-main event, a rematch between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder. Two of the best strikers in the lightweight division, this has fight of the night written all over it. For Felder, it is a chance to exact a measure of revenge against the man who handed him his first loss. For Barboza, it is a fairly quick turnaround after his devastating knockout loss to Justin Gaethje. But he will be hoping to put that behind him with a trademark highlight reel finish on Saturday night.

Dagestani standout wrestler, and training partner of Khabib – Islam Makachev takes on Davi Ramos. Makachev has looked dominant so far, but has a tough task against Ramos, who has no problem going to ground. A legitimate jiu-jitsu black belt, “The Tasmanian Devil” will be looking for the biggest win of his career so far.

For Makachev, a rise in the rankings would be the aim, as he has already stated he has no interest in making a run at the title whilst Khabib is the champion.

In the only non-lightweight fight on the main card, Curtis Blaydes and Shamil Abdurakhimov face off in a heavyweight showcase. Blaydes has an impressive CV, and has beaten everyone he has faced not named Francis Ngannou. For Abdurakhimov, it is a chance to beat someone in the top ten and cement himself as a contender.

To kick off the main card, veteran Mairbek Taisumov takes on Carlos Diego Ferreira. Whilst Taisumov is three years junior, he has almost double the pro fight experience that Ferreira does. Ferreira however, has a respectable record and his only losses have come against elite opposition in Beneil Dariush and Dustin Poirier.

The undisputed lightweight champion will be crowned on Saturday night, and many believe it will be another dominant display that we are accustomed to seeing from Khabib, but can Poirier shock the world and overcome the odds once more?