With the UFC’s first Fight Night of 2017 in the rearview mirror, we now turn to the promotion’s first Fox network card of the year. It’s stacked from top to bottom, with a women’s bantamweight title eliminator headlining the event. Also on the card is dream striking matchup between “Cowboy” Cerrone and Jorge Masvidal.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the card’s highlights. Make sure to tune in next week for detailed fight previews.
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Main Event
Women’s Bantamweight
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Julianna Pena
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What to Watch For
Pena is an aggressive, all-offense fighter who seeks to overwhelm opponents. Shevchenko is a long-range counterstriker who specializes in picking apart pressure fighters like Pena. Styles make fights, and this is an awesome clash of two elite fighters with contrast offenses.
Their recent resumes also makes this even more compelling: Pena is fighting like a savage, running up a 4-0 octagon record since coming off The Ultimate Fighter 18. Shevchenko is coming off a huge victory over Holly Holm, and just before that she took current champion Amanda Nunes to the brink in a tough-fought loss. It’s likely the winner will be awarded the next shot at Nunes.
Quick Hits
Donald Cerrone vs. Jorge Masvidal
Hector Lombard vs. Brad Tavares
Andrei Arlovski vs. Francis Ngannou
Cerrone could have demanded a top five contender after going 4-0 as a welterweight in 2016, but “Cowboy” opted instead for Jorge Masvidal. That’s the definition of a high-risk, low reward move - but a damn fun one for the fans. Cowboy is one of the most exciting kickboxers in the sport, and Masvidal is smooth as they come on the feet. If you love striking, this is a can’t-miss matchup between two elite standup technicians.
Hector Lombard might be one of the most dangerous one-round fighters in the division. The Cuban-American’s early blitzes can be absolutely lethal, but in two straight fights he’s gassed after nearly finishing Neil Magny and Dan Henderson. Once on the inside track to a title shot, a PEDs suspension and two straight losses have punted him to the bottom of the division. Losing to a mid-tier vet like Tavares would be disastrous.
The heavyweight division desperately needs fresh young talent, and Francis Ngannou seems like just the guy to fill the void. He certainly passes the eyeball test - 6’4”, 260 pounds and an explosive athlete. He’s won all four of his UFC fights, and has finished all of his opponents. He takes a huge step up in competition against former champion Andrei Arlovski - who has lost three in a row but is easily the most prestigious name Ngannou has faced to date.
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UFC on FOX 23 takes place on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The card airs on Fox starting 8 p.m. ET.
