Saturday night’s UFC 245 card, with three championship fights at the end, is the definition of stacked.
But those aren’t the only fights that feature big names stepping inside the Octagon. Jose Aldo, Uriah Faber, Mike Perry, and Matt Brown all have fights either on the main card or the prelims.
So yeah, it’s going to be a fun night in Las Vegas.
Let’s focus on the three championship fights, though. Amanda Nunes (bantamweight), Max Holloway (featherweight), and Kamaru Usman (welterweight) will all be looking to hear Bruce Buffer yell “and still” after their fights but each should face some good challenges. Well, maybe not Nunes.
Amanda Nunes vs. Germaine de Randamie
Nunes, with wins over Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, and Valentina Shevchenko, is without question the GOAT. Her last two wins – over Cyborg and Holm – ended in the first round and I expect that to happen again Saturday night. Germaine de Randamie has won five straight coming into this fight… but Nunes is just on a different level. Pick: Nunes, 1st round KO.
Max Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski
This has all the makings for being the “Fight of the Night.” Holloway has been a phenomenal champion, beating Jose Aldo twice, Brian Ortega, and Frankie Edgar. He can do it all and inside the Octagon and he wants to be known as one of the greats to have ever done it. Volkanovski will present a hefty challenge. He hasn’t lost a professional fight since 2013 and his last win was a decision over Aldo. I think he’ll give Holloway all the champ can handle but I think Holloway wins via decision. Pick: Holloway, unanimous decision.
Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington
This one could easily be a “Fight of the Night” contender, too. If you’re a UFC fan you know this one has gotten personal even before they agreed to the fight. This will be Usman’s first title defense after beating Tyron Woodley last March. Covington’s schtick leading up this one has been so cringy and awful, but underneath it he’s a great fighter who can do a lot of things very well. This should be a great matchup, one I can’t wait to watch. And I think we get a new champ, even though I hate his schtick. Pick: Covington, unanimous decision.