This UFC 206 preview will look at some of the high-profile matchups of the main card of UFC 206.
This weekend, the UFC returns to Toronto, Canada for a pay-per-view event. Even though the card was hit with the injury bug, it still stands as a promise for entertainment. The interim UFC featherweight title is on the line in the main event as Max Holloway puts his 9-fight win streak on the line against Anthony Pettis.
If you’re wanting to put some money down on Saturday’s fights, go here for a GetMoreSports betting guide to UFC 206.
UFC 206 Preview
Jordan Mein vs Emil Weber Meek
Mein, the Canadian, is returning from early retirement. He’s only 27 years old, but with 40 professional fights it means he has a lot of miles under the hood. He’s taking on prospect Emil “Valhalla” Meek, a native of Norway. Meek is making his UFC debut, and received a lot of hype after knocking out Rousimar Palhares outside the promotion. He’s very physically strong, and known for his aggression. He likes to swarm his opponent with barrages of punches, kicks, and knees, and has some slick grappling to stay in control during scrambles.
Meek is going to be most dangerous early in the fight. If Mein can’t get his rhythm down quickly, he might be on the receiving end of Meek’s deadly bombardments. However, if Mein can turn the fight into a chess-match, he will be better-equipped to win. Mein is a slick, rangy striker who is even more dangerous on the inside using knees and elbows. He holds a big technical advantage, and will likely pick Meek apart unless it turns into a brawl. With Meek’s power and aggression though, anything can happen.
Pick: Jordan Mein via Decision
Tim Kennedy vs Kelvin Gastelum
This is a very peculiar match up in the middleweight division. Gastelum is now banished to the middleweight division after failing to make weight for the third time. A loss here could be detrimental as he doesn’t really have a division to call home. He takes on former Strikeforce title challenger Tim Kennedy, who has not fought since 2014. Kennedy has been very outspoken against Dana White and the UFC, so a loss could be detrimental for him too. Both fighters are in must-win situations.
Kennedy and Gastelum possess great wrestling skills, but I give the edge to Kennedy. He has been successful taking down large opponents like Luke Rockhold, and has excellent pressure from top position as shown against Michael Bisping. While he isn’t too threatening with submissions or ground and pound, he will siphon his opponent’s gas tank and make it a very long night. On the feet, Kennedy has solid fundamentals; he takes his time to set up combinations, which typically land. Meanwhile, Gastelum showed some clean hands against Johny Hendricks, and is comfortable brawling in the pocket too. Combined with a rock-hard chin, Gastelum could make it a very quick night for Kennedy on the feet if he has the chance to explode. Gastelum hasn’t shown impeccable takedown defense, so I’m leading toward Kennedy in the long run.
Pick: Tim Kennedy via Decision
Cub Swanson vs Doo Ho Choi
This match up is destined for fireworks. In the featherweight division, Choi and Swanson will be vying for top contendership now that the 145 lb division is in shambles. Doo Ho Choi is 3-0 in the UFC, with three first round knockouts. He’s looking to be the first big thing out of South Korea, and a win here would make him one step closer to a title shot. Meanwhile, Swanson is on a career resurgence, and is riding a 2-fight win streak.
Choi is one of the best strikers in the division. He throws a laser-guided right hand with devastating precision and accuracy. Furthermore, he possesses the unique ability to time his opponents so that he lands as they’re moving into it. We haven’t seen him face any adversity in the striking or wrestling department though. He was taken down by Thales Tavares in his last fight, but did all the right steps to get back up to the feet and get the KO. Swanson, while he doesn’t have the grappling skills to give Choi troubles, does have an unorthodox style. Swanson throws every technique in the book, and is at his best when he can get his opponent to engage in a brawl. This has produced some great moments for Swanson, but this also makes him hittable. Against Choi, Swanson can’t afford to take his right hand.
Pick: Doo Ho Choi via KO
Donald Cerrone vs Matt Brown
This co-main event feature is another promise of violence. Donald Cerrone has been on a tear since moving up to the welterweight division after his failed attempt at the lightweight crown. Cerrone is 3-0 at welterweight, and is moving close to a title shot. In his way is Matt Brown, a stiff test for even the most elite at 170 lbs. Brown may be 1-4 in his last 5, but Brown has fought the best of the best. A win propels Brown back into the mix, but a loss puts his career in question.
Cerrone is known for his sound striking and dangerous submission skills which are in his back pocket. He’s what I like to call a piston-striker; he throws with virtually no wind-up. Everything is technical, straight down the pipe, and ultra-efficient. His kicks come at a moment’s notice, and land with serious crack. Lately, Cerrone has been mixing in his wrestling and ground game to keep opponents guessing. His opponent, Matt Brown, is also a skilled striker though. Brown likes to brawl a little more, and isn’t quite as technically proficient, but brings unmatched tenacity. Brown’s knees and elbows in the clinch are exceptional, and he will happily take damage to give it back. On paper, Cerrone is the favorite, and for good reason; he has the cleaner technique, and momentum is on his side. However, Brown’s ability to make it a dog-fight and get Cerrone moving back will be huge. I think Brown pulls the upset.
Pick: Matt Brown via TKO
Max Holloway vs Anthony Pettis
In the main event, we have a fight for the interim featherweight title. Unfortunately, Pettis missed weight, so the interim title is only a reward if Holloway wins. Nevertheless, this fight is for the clear number one contender status in the featherweight division. Conor McGregor is no longer the champion, so newly-crowned Jose Aldo will likely face whoever wins this bout. Holloway is on an impressive 9-fight win streak while Pettis is 1-0 since dropping to featherweight.
Both Holloway and Pettis are crafty strikers, but they operate very differently. Holloway is tall, lanky, and moves forward behind his hands. He doesn’t hit with a whole lot of power, but he’s accurate, and often swarms his opponents with shots to the body and head from all angles. He puts together masterful combinations, and can do it at all ranges. Holloway also has an underrated ground game, as seen by his few submission wins in the UFC (specifically chokes due to his long arms). Looking across the Octagon, we have Pettis, the former lightweight champ. Pettis used to be a devastating counter-striker. He would lure opponents into calculated attacks, typically one of his blistering kicking techniques. However, he has turned up his aggression lately after opponents have figured out how to out-point and disrupt that style.
In his last fight, Pettis threw the same number of strikes as he did in his 5-round title defense against Rafael dos Anjos. He’s slowly becoming more of a trader than a counter-striker; more willing to move forward and exchange with his opponent rather than set them up for high-stakes attacks. He gets hit more, but also lands more frequently. I don’t think trading with Max Holloway is going to end well for him though. Holloway has the better reach, boxing skills, and comfort in the pocket. That being said, Pettis has the show-stopping ability with his kicks and submissions too. The smart pick is Holloway, but don’t be surprised if Pettis pulls something out.
Pick: Max Holloway via Decision or TKO
