If you looked at UFC 194 as a whole, Conor McGregor versus Jose Aldo probably accounts for 90% of the event’s spotlight (with Conor taking up most of it, because that’s just who he is). It is the fight that most fans are looking forward to seeing. While there is nothing wrong with that, there are other great match ups on the card that deserve some recognition. We have a number one contender fight in the middleweight division, a grappling superfight, and a 145 lb bout between two of the scrappiest guys in the sport – these are fights that you do NOT want to miss!
Max Holloway (-530) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+410)
Set to start the UFC 194 PPV is a bout that is specifically designed to capture and hold the interest of the potential millions of viewers watching world-wide. The odds don’t do this fight justice either because Max may be the underdog, but Jeremy Stephens has the ability to pull the upset as well as anybody. Do not miss this fight; Max Holloway versus Jeremy Stephens will be absolute fireworks.
In one corner we have Max Holloway, a young up-and-comer who has recently snagged a 7-fight winning streak and only seems to be getting better. Despite only being 25 years old, Max has shown maturity in the Octagon through displays of patience, discipline, and an expanding knowledge of fighting. Striking is Holloway’s bread-and-butter, and it’s what he’s best at. He uses his rangy frame to throw long punches and kicks – working the body regularly. His footwork is perhaps his best weapon as he mixes up direction of attack often, and weaves throughout the line of fire. It’s these finer nuiances of striking that really make Max Holloway a believable contender in the near future.
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In the other corner, we have Jeremy Stephens; a battle-tested slugger with 11 UFC victories to his credit. Stephens never backs down from exchanges, and fights fire with fire. Punching power is Stephens’ biggest weapon, but it comes in a variety of different ways – he is not limited to the haymaker knockouts you may see in his highlight reel. His head kicks come from nowhere to surprise opponents at range, but he can close the distance with virtually any type of strike and knock them out. Stephens is also one of the biggest, strongest fighters at 145 lbs; this helps him in any sort of grappling situation. Don’t be be surprised if Stephens tries to implement some offensive wrestling. One key note is that Stephens actually holds a reach advantage of two inches. Holloway has a surprisingly short reach, but it’s how he moves with his attacks that make him appear the longer fighter.
Verdict: Stephens’ power makes him a threat in every exchange, and having the reach advantage could mean him tagging Holloway with shots that Holloway isn’t expecting to get hit by. If you look at the stats, Holloway is very hittable, but I believe the Max Holloway of now is more mature and intelligent than the young Hawaiian we saw earlier in his UFC career. Expect Max to use his footwork and excellent use of angles to control each engagement. Stephens may test the chin a bit, but the volume and variety that Holloway sends out will be too overwhelming; Holloway’s likliness to attack the body will also favor him late in the fight. I predict Max will have to fend off a few swarms, get himself out of trouble, and maybe defend some takedown attempts along the way, but Holloway will out-point Stephens in a very action-packed contest.
Pick: Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision
