The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas plays host to UFC 219 as Holly Holm bids to become the first woman to seal UFC gold in two different weight classes. The seemingly insurmountable task of defeating Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino stands in Holm’s way, with the odds firmly stacked against the former bantamweight champion.
The Brazilian supremo has won eighteen consecutive bouts since losing on her debut over twelve-and-a-half years ago by leglock. Of her eighteen wins, only two have gone the distance with the last being in 2008. The featherweight division was created primarily for Cyborg. She can’t lose it, can she?
Holly Holm certainly represents the toughest challenge of the champion’s UFC career. The thirty-six-year-old was widely considered as one of the greatest female boxers of all time after being a three-weight world champion. One night in Melbourne, Australia changed the face of the UFC forever.
One of the most iconic moments and greatest upsets in the history of the sport occurred at UFC 193 when Holly Holm stunned Ronda Rousey with a perfectly timed head kick in the second round. Many people thought that Rousey was unstoppable, that fight and the future has shown otherwise!
Holly Holm later slid to three consecutive losses after capturing the title, before bouncing back against Bethe Correia earlier this year. Capturing the featherweight crown could prove to be a larger upset than that night just over two years ago… can she do it?
She has the chance to do it again when she challenges Cris Cyborg at #UFC219.
The card is co-headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov taking on Edson Barboza in a potential lightweight title eliminator. Tony Ferguson holds the interim title in the continued absence of Conor McGregor, who is yet to defend his title over thirteen months on from his victory over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.
The unbeaten Russian will look to make it twenty-four perfect performances against highlight-reel specialist Edson Barboza, who’s flying knee knockout of Beneil Dariush earlier this year earned him a shot at the Russian.
Barboza’s takedown defence is rather underrated, conceding just seven takedowns across seventeen octagon appearances. Has he faced a wrestler of Khabib’s level yet? Probably not but in the striking stakes, the Brazilian certainly has the advantage.
A win for Khabib earns him a chance to fight Tony Ferguson with the potential for a match up with Conor McGregor, should the Irishman return. The devoted fan base behind MMA rejoiced when the Russian made weight on Friday. It’s on!
England’s own Marc Diakiese faces off with Daniel Hooker in a pivotal lightweight match up, which was moved up to the main card after Jimmie Rivera’s opponents pulled out on two occasions. Diakiese will look to bounce back from the first loss of his career against his Australian counterpart, who has yet to win consecutive bouts in the octagon.
Cynthia Calvillo could become the only fighter to go 4-0 this year as she takes on former strawweight champion Carla Esparza. Calvillo only turned professional in August last year and has made her mark on the division, with victories over Jo Calderwood, Pearl Gonzalez and Amanda Cooper propelling her into title contention.
The return of ‘The Natural Born Killer’ Carlos Condit after sixteen months out of the octagon to take on Neil Magny, with both men in need of a win in the welterweight division. The ten-fight card kicks off at 00:30, with the main card kicking off at the usual time of 03:00.
UFC 219 Full Fight Card
Main Card (3AM On BT Sport)
- UFC Women’s Featherweight Title: Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm
- Lightweight: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza
- Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Marc Diakiese
- Women’s Strawweight: Cynthia Calvillo vs. Carla Esparza
- Welterweight: Carlos Condit vs. Neil Magny
Prelims (1AM on BT Sport)
- Light Heavyweight: Khalil Rountree vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Featherweight: Myles Jury vs. Rick Glenn
- Middleweight: Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov
- Flyweight: Louis Smolka vs. Matheus Nicolau
Early Prelim (12:30AM on UFC Fight Pass)
- Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Mark De La Rosa
