6 burning questions heading into UFC 251

MMA Junkie senior editor Dave Doyle walks you through the key storylines from UFC 251, which features three title fights

Can Jose Aldo pull off an epic upset?

Dec 14, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Marlon Moraes (red gloves) fights Jose Aldo (blue gloves) during UFC 245 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

On paper, Aldo (28-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) getting a shot at the bantamweight title at this stage of the game seems more a lifetime achievement award than a statement of his actual place at 135 pounds.

The former longtime featherweight king has fought exactly once in the UFC bantamweight division, losing a close call to Marlon Moraes at UFC 245. He’s lost two straight, four of six, and five of eight dating back to his memorable knockout loss to Conor McGregor in 2015.

But then, McGregor fight aside, Aldo hasn’t been getting blown out of fights. Many thought he beat Moraes, and he’s still shown flashes of his former greatness, like his tremendous comeback win over Jeremy Stephens in 2018.

Does Aldo have enough left to take out Yan 14-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC), a merciless killer who seems to have the aura of the next great one in the division? We’ll find out.

[opinary poll=”whats-your-pick-for-petr-yan-vs-jose-ald-Kib6lH” customer=”mmajunkie”]