Why does it seem like a lifetime ago that some fights occurred? Perhaps it’s the constant and incessant drone of the pandemic, which forces every day to roll over into the next, with little to no noticeable difference? This got us thinking if we will see little if any difference in some of these upcoming fights at UFC 268.
With a stacked card headlined by a rematch between the UFC’s welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman who will once again face his old foe, Colby Covington. The buildup to their first fight was jam-packed full of animosity. With self-proclaimed America’s favourite fighter Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington doing anything and everything to get under the skin of the champion.
But if the anticipation is stressing you out too much. Why not take some time out, relax and head on over to JustSpin to settle your nerves and have some downtime. As we get set for some great nights of MMA action straight ahead.
But in almost two years a lot has happened. The world has been through so much, as have most people. So will this do anything to dampen the animosity between the Kamaru and the challenger? With Usman now being ranked as the number one UFC pound for pound fighter on the planet? Above unique talents like Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya?
Unsure of whether these rankings are really a result of activity or just pure subjectiveness. Either way, Covington will be facing the UFC’s number one ranked fighter. And in a fight where their first battle was a clear cut win for The Nigerian Nightmare. Will all those months be gone by making any difference in the final outcome? We find out on November 7th at Madison Square Garden.
ROSE NAMAJUNAS STAYING ON TOP?
Meanwhile, two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is back in the firing line against former belt holder Weili Zhang. Who she knocked out unceremoniously back in April of this year with a head kick that left a sour taste. Now Zhang is back and looking to prove the stoppage was a fluke. And that she and not Thug Rose is the rightful holder of the 115lb strap.
And with both ladies being so evenly matched up, it’s really a pick ’em fight. While you might get some good odds on a result, it’s tough to make a call on who will walk away with that belt. With Zhang being a phenomenon that exploded on the scene back in 2020. Has she still got the X factor that took her from an unknown to UFC champion?
JUSTIN GAETHJE VS MICHAEL CHANDLER
Former Bellator MMA titleholder Michael Chandler has fought two times in 2021. Justin Gaethje hasn’t fought since losing his title challenge to top p4p Khabib Nurmagomedov in late 2020. So while Chandler is also coming into this fight on the back of a loss to Charles Oliveira, he’s been the more active of the two this year.
Whether or not the lack of cage time plays into the fight we will have to wait and see. But one thing we do know is that both men bring the fire. With Michael Chandler being in the latter stages of his career and hungry to claim some UFC gold.
In Gaethje he faces an equally tough and dangerous opponent, who also has his sights on claiming yet another title. With both men formerly being champions in other organisations, there’s no doubting the calibre they bring. But styles make fights and with both guys being decorated wrestlers, will heavy hands be the determining factor?
Finding it hard to see this one going to the judge’s scorecards, that is exactly what we might see. With both guys being so evenly matched, might it be a case of one cancelling the other out? It’s a fascinating question which we won’t have answered until November 6th in NYC.
Images courtesy of sportworldnews.org, mmajunkie.com
