UFC 200 has received a handful of new match ups.
It was just yesterday that I wrote about UFC 200 and just like that, more fights are announced. We know that the headliner will be a welterweight showdown between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz as Conor desperately tries to avenge his momentum-killing loss. It’s not a match up that necessarily makes sense (to us), but it’s a high-profile match up that will sell tickets and PPVs. Additionally, we have a main card announcement as well as a glimpse into what the mysterious co-main event may be. Also, time constraints may leave UFC 200 at just a 4-fight main card. Let’s go through the recent news:
Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar II
Leaked by MMAFighting reporter Ariel Helwani, this match up will be taking place at UFC 200 and will be for the interim featherweight title. Aldo and Edgar fought before at UFC 156 for Aldo’s featherweight title, but Edgar fell short and lost a competitive decision. Nonetheless, the two will meet again for the interim strap which should give the winner a ticket to a dance with Conor McGregor sometime later this year. Aldo was campaigning for an immediate rematch with McGregor after the former champion was defeated in just 13 seconds whereas Edgar too was campaigning for the Irishman with his 5-fight win streak. You can’t please them both, so why not have them fight each other?
Much debate and conversation has been had over this idea of the interim title. The interim title, in theory, is for when the champion is injured and can’t defend his belt. Thus, the title challenger fights another contender for a temporary belt. In this situation though, McGregor is not injured, but rather is pursuing a fight in another weight class. Is it right for Aldo and Edgar to compete for an interim belt? Theoretically, no, but in this situation it’s being used more as a marketing tool. The winner of Aldo/Edgar II will face McGregor in a “champion vs. champion” fight. Because lots of eyes will be on this UFC 200 card, that also means lots of eyes will be on Aldo and Edgar as they determine who is the rightful challenger.
The Mysterious Co-Main Event
Dana White went on record saying that they are still looking for a co-main event, and that people’s “minds will be blown” when they see the finished card. This could be nothing but hype, but considering whatever bout they are targeting will be above Aldo/Edgar II, you have to think it’s something big. Instantly, my mind jumps to the return of Georges St. Pierre. He has been hinting at returning for quite some time now, and UFC 200 is the perfect time to make his return. It works out well too because Robbie Lawler just fought Carlos Condit back at UFC 195, so timing wise, he’ll be ready to fight at UFC 200.
There have also been talks about this co-main event slot being a women’s bantamweight title fight. Miesha Tate recently defeated Holly Holm to win the title, and a rematch has been hinted at between the two. However, I have a hard time seeing UFC 200 include the exact same main event and co-main event as UFC 196. No matter how epic of a night that was, the people want a different event. I’m expecting Robbie Lawler to be defending his belt against someone in the co-main event slot. It might be a Carlos Condit rematch, it might be Georges St. Pierre, or it could be Tyron Woodley for all we know.
Cat Zingano vs. Julianna Pena
Leaked by Dave Meltzer on Observer Radio, a women’s bantamweight showdown between two top-ranked fighters will occur at UFC 200. Cat Zingano will finally be returning to the Octagon; she was last seen tapping out to Ronda Rousey in just 16 seconds over a year ago. She’ll be taking on Julianna Pena, a surging contender who won The Ultimate Fighter season 18 and is undefeated in the Octagon. This should be a violent affair as both women are known to bring it. The winner could very well be one step away from fighting for the title; especially Zingano considering she holds a TKO wins over Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes. I doubt this bout will be featured on the main card, but will certainly be a great prelim attraction on FS1.
Takanori Gomi vs. Jim Miller
A UFC twitter account also announced that UFC 200 will be getting a fun battle between two real veterans of the lightweight division. Takanori Gomi and Jim Miller have seen it all, and while age isn’t on their side, they will be sure to engage in a toe-to-toe battle. Similar to the match up between Diego Sanchez and Joe Lauzon (also to be featured on UFC 200), this bout doesn’t have many implications behind it other than a great fight between two very respectable competitors. This bout will most certainly be thrown on the prelims; my guess is the Fight Pass prelims.
Sage Northcutt vs. Enrique Martin
A GQ article announced another preliminary bout to be featured at UFC 200. The hype train behind Sage Northcutt will attempt to get back on its tracks as he takes on 0-1 UFC newbreed Enrique Martin. Northcutt was last seen being upset by Bryan Barberena in a bout that resulted in lots of criticism towards Northcutt. Fans were quick to dismiss Northcutt as a viable talent. Furthermore, Barberena came into the bout as a massive underdog despite being one of the main training partners of former lightweight champion Benson Henderson, and previously holding an upset victory over Joe Ellenberger. Nonetheless, Northcutt will attempt to bounce back with this win over a rather undiscovered opponent who has yet to win inside the Octagon.
That’s it for recently announced fights, there are still a few more match ups to be made, but the question I have is whether or not the main card will be 4 or 5 fights long. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz II, the co-main event, and Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar II will all be scheduled for 5 rounds. The last time there was a UFC event with this many 25-minute bouts was UFC 33 and they all went the distance. This resulted in the show running over its PPV time limit. Nevertheless, here is what UFC 200 looks like now:
Main Card:
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz II
TBA (Co-main event title fight. Robbie Lawler vs. Georges St. Pierre?)
Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar II
Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne
Fox Sports 1 Prelims:
Johny Hendricks vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson
Cat Zingano vs. Julianna Pena
TBA
TBA
Fight Pass Prelims:
Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Lauzon
Takanori Gomi vs. Jim Miller
Sage Northcutt vs. Enrique Martin
