What are the big main events in MMA to look forward to early in 2017? You might think that UFC events would get all of the attention but that is not the case as Bellator has an excellent main event on January 21st at Bellator 170 as Tito Ortiz takes on Chael Sonnen. That fight definitely has more appeal than some of the upcoming UFC main events like Rodriguez vs. Penn or Shevchenko vs. Pena. The good news for the UFC is that UFC 209 in March will feature a rematch between Tyrone Woodley and Stephen Thompson. Let’s look at what is coming up in the next few months in UFC and Bellator.
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January 15 - UFC Fight Night 103
The headliner in this event is a bout between Yair Rodriguez and B.J. Penn. Whether this fight will be competitive is questionable as Penn has not even fought in more than two years. Oddsmakers sure don’t think it will be much of a fight as Rodriguez is listed at -450 at BookMaker.eu.
January 21 - Bellator 170
The best main event in the first two months of 2017 could actually in Bellator with Tito Ortiz taking on Chael Sonnen. These two are definitely past their prime but they are big names and the matchup is intriguing. Sonnen is listed as a -156 favorite at BookMaker.eu.
January 27 - Bellator 171
This event will feature David Rickels taking on Aaron Derrow.
January 28 - UFC on FOX 23
The UFC will have yet another main event featuring women’s fighters as Valentina Shevchenko takes on Julianna Pena. These two are looking for a future title shot in the bantamweight division against Amanda Nunes. The co-main event is expected to have Donald Cerrone taking on Jorge Masvidal.
February 4 - UFC Fight Night 104
This event in Houston, Texas will feature Dennis Bermudez taking on Chan Sung Jung. It will be the first bout for Jung since 2013 as he has been in the military.
February 11 - UFC 208
This event at the Barlcays Center in Brooklyn, New York will feature Holly Holm taking on Germaine de Randamie for the first ever women’s featherweight title. This event will be a huge test for the UFC as they are putting two fighters in Holm and de Randamie who have limited appeal in the main event spot. The co-main event is expected to be Travis Browne taking on Derrick Lewis.
February 18 - Bellator 172
Another appealing Bellator main event takes place in mid-February with Fedor Emelianenko taking on Matt Mitrione. Fedor is one of the great heavyweights of all-time but he is now 40 years old while Mitrione is a former UFC veteran who has done well since moving to Bellator.
February 19 - UFC Fight Night 105
This event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada will have former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos taking on Stefan Struve. It is a rematch of a fight from 2009 where dos Santos defeated Struve by first round TKO.
February 24 - Bellator 173
This event that will be held in Northern Ireland is expected to feature Liam McGeary taking on Chris Fields.
March 3 – Bellator 174
We don’t know much about this event yet with the only confirmed matchup the one between Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd.
March 4 – UFC 209
The best overall event of 2017 up to this point should be UFC 209 with the main event a rematch between Tyrone Woodley and Stephen Thompson for the welterweight title. These two fought at UFC 205 to a majority draw so Woodley will come in as the defending champion. Other good matchups on the main card include Khabib Nurmagomedov taking on Tony Ferguson and Alistair Overeem vs. Mark Hunt.
March 11– UFC Fight Night 106
This event that will be held in Brazil will feature former light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort taking on contender Kelvin Gastelum.
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