The return of the Derrick Lewis is 1 of 5 reasons to watch UFC 247

Here are 5 reasons to watch UFC 247.

The UFC is back with its one and only PPV this month and it’s a good one, as the legendary Jon Jones returns to the Octagon to defend his light heavyweight belt against Dominick Reyes in Houston.

We also get to see Valentina Shevchenko defend her flyweight belt against Katlyn Chookagian in the co-main event.

And, not to be lost with those two title fights, is the fact that we also get the return of Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis, who will be fighting in his hometown and will likely bring some added fun to this event.

Watch UFC 247 on ESPN+

So let’s break down some reasons for why this should be fun to watch Saturday night.

1. Jon Jones returns.

Bones Jones is one of the best to ever do it, so when he’s making the walk to the Octagon you should be watching. The last time we saw him he was going five rounds against Thiago Santos last July, in what was a physically demanding fight for both fighters. Now he faces Reyes, who needed just over 90 seconds to knock out Chris Weidman (who’s picking Reyes to win this one). Jones has gone the distance in his last two fights but he was dominant in both. He should be tested in this one but I expect him to pass the test.

2. Who will Jon Jones call out if he wins?

I don’t know if Jones will call anybody out if he beats Reyes, as he’s the champ and people are lining up to fight him. But how fun would it be if he brought up Stipe Miocic for a battle at heavyweight? Or what if he called out welterweight champ Israel Adesanya? Of how about a trilogy with Daniel Cormier? Again, Jones probably won’t say any names, but any of those three would be fun.

3. Valentina Shevchenko is must-see TV.

“Bullet” is one dangerous fighter who can end things at any moment, as Jessica Eye learned last June when she was knocked out by a vicious head kick. Shevchenko is one of the best fighters in the UFC and doesn’t mess around. Expect her to get another big win and maybe it will come with a highlight like this one:

4. Derrick Lewis is the best.

“The Black Beast” is fun as you-know-what to watch fight and he’s even more entertaining on the mic after a win. Let’s hope we get another classic moment from him after he squares off with Ilir Latifi, because you know Lewis will have something great to say in front oh his home crowd.

5. Unfortunately we won’t get to see Joe Rogan with Stephen A. Smith together again.

At least not after these fights. Rogan and Stephen A. traded some shots after their appearance while breaking down UFC 246 on ESPN a few weeks ago. Stephen A. said dumb things about Cowboy Cerrone, Rogan called him out, and Stephen A. fired back with a video response of his own that avoided the topic of why Rogan was rightly mad at him. Dominick Cruz is on the call this week with Jon Anik, as Rogan gets this event off. Dang.