Even the slightest MMA fan should be excited for this Saturday. UFC 205 will bring MMA to New York for the first time with a card full of the sport’s biggest stars. This is easily the the biggest, baddest UFC card of all time. Before we look at the main card, let’s take a look at the insanely stacked UFC 205 prelims. Here’s everything you need to know:
UFC 205 Prelims on Fight Pass
Liz Carmouche vs Katlyn Chookagian
Starting off the UFC 205 prelims is this women’s bantamweight scrap. Carmouche is returning to action after over a year off due to injury. She is mostly known for giving former champion Ronda Rousey a tough test in her UFC debut. Since then, she has had her ups and downs. Her opponent, Chookagian, is 1-0 in the UFC, and could be a prospect. Katlyn looked good in her UFC debut, picking up a decision win over Lauren Murphy (who is coincidentally the same fighter Carmouche defeated last before getting injured). Chookagian doesn’t have the experience of Carmouche, but she’s sharp and should make this a fun, competitive fight to start off the UFC 205 prelims.
Rafael Natal vs Tim Boetsch
Moving on we have an interesting pair of middleweights. Natal recently had his 4-fight win-streak snapped by top 10 ranked Robert Whittaker. Boetsch on the other hand had a 3-fight losing streak snapped with a TKO over the late Josh Samman (R.I.P). Both men have been around for a while, but Boetsch has fought the tougher competition. While he hasn’t always been successful, he has solidified himself as a threat to just about anybody. “The Barbarian” has toughness that you can’t teach, and a never-ending will to win. That should make this a very a fun fight to watch as Natal is usually happy to oblige in a wild fight. Natal does have the jiu-jitsu caliber to pose a serious threat on the mat, but he may struggle against the larger, more physical opponent.
Jim Miller vs Thiago Alves
Capping off the UFC 205 prelims on Fight Pass is a highly anticipated lightweight fight between two long-time UFC veterans. The big question here is how Alves will do at a lighter weight class when he has previously competed at 170 lbs. We know Alves has taken a lot of time to slim his body down naturally to avoid a drastic weight cut, so this makes me think he’ll be physically rejuvenated at 155 lbs. If he maintains the same explosiveness to his strikes, I think Alves could be a top 10 fighter. However, Miller is a tough test for anybody as you’re guaranteed a grueling battle in all areas of the game. Except Miller to drive forward and test Alves’s conditioning and heart while Alves tries to batter the well-tested chin of Miller. This is a very interesting fight.
UFC 205 Prelims on Fox Sports 1
Belal Muhammed vs Vicente Luque
Starting off the UFC 205 prelims on FS 1 is a welterweight fight. Muhammed finds himself in the Octagon for a third time since July. He’ll go up against Luque, a crafty TUF finalist. Even though Luque dropped his finals bout to Michael Graves, he has picked up three straight stoppage victories. Luque is known for his slick chokes, but won his last fight by KO. It’s clear Luque is improving leaps and bounds at the Blackzilians. Muhammed should be in for a tough test, but this guy absolutely loves to fight. That’s why he took Alan Jouban on in his UFC debut. Muhammed is tough, has an undying will to win, and possesses some solid muay thai striking.
Rashad Evans vs Tim Kennedy
Former light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans will drop to 185 lbs in an attempt to resurge his career. He draws Tim Kennedy, who hasn’t been seen inside the Octagon since being controversially stopped by Yoel Romero over two years ago. After recent disappointing outings, Evans is in need of a win. His reflexes have dulled, and so has his ability to pull the trigger. Even though he has the skill, experience, and athleticism to be one of the best, I just don’t know if he can execute. I have a feeling the drop in weight is a desperate move. Tim Kennedy can beat any of the top middleweights on any given day, but the two-year lay off is concerning. Stylistically, it’s a tough test for Rashad Evans. If he can pull it off, it would make a splash in the deep 185 lb pool.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Michael Johnson
This is the fight I am looking forward to most on the UFC 205 prelims. Undefeated Russian sensation Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight for title contention here against Michael Johnson. Nurmagomedov is known for his extremely dominant wrestling and grappling skills which he uses to suffocate and overwhelm his opponents.While Nurmagomedov is 7-0 in the UFC, injuries have kept him from fighting for the lightweight title. He gets a chance to make a serious claim for that title with an impressive win in this bout. However, Johnson has a good chance at disruption this; his hands are dangerous enough to catch anybody, and put them out. Will Johnson be able to keep Nurmagomedov off him and be able to get off with his punches, or will Nurmagomedov overwhelm him like he has everyone else?
Frankie Edgar vs Jeremy Stephens
Topping off the UFC 205 prelims is this intriguing featherweight contest. Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar has fallen short acquiring featherweight gold, but a win here might put him back in line for yet another chance. Stephens would like a shot at featherweight gold too. Known as one of the hardest hitters in the sport, Stephens is riding one of the most impressive wins of his career; if he can follow it up with a win over Edgar, he may cause enough noise to draw McGregor back down to defend his belt. This is a very intriguing match up; Edgar brings in speed, precision, tactics, and strategy while Stephens is ruthless, bulldogged, violent savagery.
Stay tuned to Get More Sports for mroe UFC 205 coverage!
