Big news came out regarding the UFC 213 fight card. We now know who will be headlining and co-headlining the event. UFC 213 will cap off the UFC’s International Fight Week event, which they hold every summer. In previous years, it’s a big card, but this year looks like it’ll be slightly smaller event. Here’s what the UFC 213 fight card looks like so far:
Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko II
Headlining the UFC 213 fight card will be the women’s bantamweight title fight between Nunes and Shevchenko.
The two fought once before in a title eliminator bout at UFC 196. Nunes won the three-round affair via unanimous decision; Nunes started strong, but Shevchenko took the last round. Of course, Nunes went on to become the champion as she racked up two big finishes over Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey. Meanwhile, Shevchenko rebounded with big wins over Holly Holm and Julianna Pena.
This fight is very exciting. Nunes has looked incredible in her last two performances, but so has Shevchenko. I’m also a fan of this bout being the headliner. Nunes has headlined two very big fights in her last two performances, and another sensational performance in this big of a card could give her some really nice exposure.
Yoel Romero vs Robert Whittaker
Set to co-headline the event is an interim middleweight title fight between Romero and Whittaker.
Interim titles are typically created by a promotion when the champion is unable to defend his belt. This happens when he has to pull out on short notice (ex: Daniel Cormier pulling out of UFC 198 and Jon Jones fighting Ovince St. Preux for the interim light-heavyweight belt). It can also be created when a champion isn’t able to defend his belt for an extended period of time (ex: Dominick Cruz being injured and Renan Barao fighting and winning the interim bantamweight title).
However, over time, the UFC has become much more lenient with what they have decided is worthy of an interim belt. Most noticeably, they made the UFC 206 bout between Anthony Pettis and Max Holloway a fight for the featherweight interim belt even though Jose Aldo (who was promoted to champion) was able to fight. Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov were also booked to fight for an interim lightweight title at UFC 209 while champ Conor McGregor sat out to have have his child and pursue the boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.
Even though the UFC seems willing to toss out interim titles left-and-right, in this instance, it seems appropriate. Middleweight champ Michael Bisping is injured and unable to fight until the fall. Meanwhile, Yoel Romero hasn’t fought since UFC 205 (November, 2016) and is long overdue for his title shot. Robert Whittaker is also worthy after he smashed through top contender ‘Jacare’ Souza.
This bout between Romero and Whittaker is an awesome one. Both guys possess such violent finish potential, and are on a combined 15 fight win streak.
Cody Garbrandt vs TJ Dillashaw – OFF
News has come out that Cody Garbrandt vs TJ Dillashaw is off. This match up was originally scheduled to co-headline this card. However, Garbrandt suffered a back injury a little while ago. He flew to Germany to get a stem cell shot, hopeful he could still fight. Unfortunately, the fight still got cancelled. Now, Dana White is pondering a different option for Dillashaw.
Apparently there are rumors going around of the UFC pursuing a “super fight” between flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson and TJ Dillashaw. This would be Dillashaw’s flyweight debut, and undoubtedly Johnson’s biggest test. Johnson recently tied the record for consecutive title defenses with 10.
It’s a very intriguing match up that would likely involve two of the sport’s most skilled fighters. White alluded to this fight headlining a pay-per-view card in Johnson’s home town of Seattle, Washington.
Rest of the UFC 213 Fight Card thus far:
Robbie Lawler vs Donald Cerrone
Fabricio Werdum vs Alistair Overeem III
Anthony Pettis vs Jim Miller
Travis Browne vs Oleksiy Oliynyk
Thiago Santos vs Gerald Meerschaert
Daniel Omielanczuk vs Curtis Blaydes
