UFC 200 is going to be big. Really big. Destined to out-sell UFC 100 (the company’s previous record-holding pay-per-view event in terms of sales), the UFC will certainly be putting some of the biggest names on the card. As of now, we have a handful of match ups that have been targeted for the July 9th event. This will the UFC’s first event in the new Vegas arena, T-Mobile Arena. Here is what we have so far:
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz II
By far the most head-scratching match up on the card. This match up was leaked by media member Ariel Helwani, and met immediate resistance by the fans. Nate Diaz finished Conor McGregor back at UFC 196 in what was Conor’s attempt to move up in weight. I can see this match up as Conor’s doing. He wanted to move up in weight, he got a late replacement fighter, he lost, and now that door to the upper weight divisions is temporarily closed. If he can avenge that loss however, it may be enough to generate interest again. McGregor has a belt at featherweight though; a belt that currently has 3 contenders snapping at the bit to fight for. Jose Aldo is wanting a rematch, Frankie Edgar is deserving of a title shot, and Max Holloway is on a massive streak and is also worthy of getting the title shot.
However, the first fight was a fun one – it was entertaining, and I’m sure many would not be opposed to the idea of getting an entire camp of McGregor and Diaz going back and forth with the verbal jousts. As a proclaimed Conor McGregor fan, I’m also not opposed to see whether or not Conor can make the adjustments needed to win this fight. It will most certainly be his biggest test to date seeing as how he lost to a Nate Diaz who took the fight on two weeks notice. Nevertheless, this match up is rumored to headline UFC 200.
We’ll see if it sticks or if the community backlash is enough for the UFC to find a different opponent for Conor. But you can certain – Conor McGregor will be on UFC 200. Jose Aldo posted on Instagram saying that he was preparing to be fighting on UFC 200. If the McGregor/Diaz II match up doesn’t pan out, I’m sure booking McGregor/Aldo II or McGregor/Edgar are likely fights to make.
Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne
This fight was reported as being targeted for UFC 200, and will most certainly be somewhere on the main card. I doubt it makes it as a co-headliner as that spot will certainly be reserved for a title fight. We last saw Velasquez lose his title to Fabricio Werdum in Mexico City back at UFC 188. Since then, Velasquez has been out due to injury, but appears healthy enough to come back at UFC 200. Travis Browne on the other hand picked up a controversial win over Matt Mitrione when he TKOd him in January. Browne is a big enough name for Velasquez to beat to prompt a shot at getting his title back whereas Velasquez is a big enough name for Browne to beat and call for a title shot as well.
Johny Hendricks vs. Kelvin Gastelum
At welterweight, former champion Johny Hendricks will face the talented Kelvin Gastelum. Hendricks was last seen being finished quickly and decisively by Stephen Thompson whereas Gastelum was last seen getting upset by Neil Magny in November of 2015. I can see this fight open up the main card because of how big of a name Hendricks is (being a former champion and all), but I could also see this bout headline the FS1 prelims. We have seen the UFC put some surprisingly big fights in those headlining spots on the undercard to promote more free-TV viewers. Nevertheless, this is a fantastic match up between two guys just looking to fight to their potential in the stacked 170 lb weight class.
Derek Brunson vs. Gegard Mousasi
I’m not shocked at all to hear this bout is being targeted after they verball agreed. Derek Brunson smashed Roan Carneiro in February while Gegard Mousasi took out Thales Leites just one week after. Both Brunson and Mousasi at among the top 10 at the 185 lb weight class, and a win over one another puts them one step closer to that title shot status. I would preferred Mousasi to get a bigger name like an Anderson Silva, but this Brunson match up makes a lot of sense as well. Brunson is on a 4-fight winning streak as well, and looks to be a tough opponent to stop. It’s rumoured that this bout would headling the FS1 prelims unless a bigger fight opened up – I think that bigger fight is Hendricks/Gastelum, so I would expect this to co-headline the FS1 prelims. I see UFC 200 being as much about the prelims as it will be the main card.
Joe Lauzon vs. Diego Sanchez
This fireworks bout is being targeted for somewhere along the prelims, and is a bout that will most certainly deliver some entertainment. I see this headlining the Fight Pass prelims, but having it a little later on in the night wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Lauzon and Sanchez are two guys who have seen it all in the Octagon. While Sanchez has had somewhat of a resurgence, Lauzon has been windling down into a gatekeeper. Nevertheless, this match up pits two guys known for making the crowd stand on their feet. I’m excited for this one.
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That’s all for rumored match ups for UFC 200. That’s five bouts of the estimated 12 or 13 that will take place. Expect one title fight to co-headline alongside McGregor/Diaz II, and I wouldn’t be that surprised to see a second title fight take place underneath that. The UFC 200 PPV is going to be stacked with big names, but seeing these smaller caliber fights put together makes me think that the FS1 prelims are going to be the largest preliminary card ever put together. Stay tuned for more UFC 200 match ups, and check out the forum while you’re at it too!
