It's fight week! UFC 284 is just days away and that means we are days away from seeing arguably the most historic fight in UFC history. Why? Alexander Volkanovski is the Featherweight Champion. He also holds the number-one rank on the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings. His opponent, the Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev holds the number two position on the pound-for-pound rankings. There are two crowns on the line in the main event. Who will end up the Lightweight and pound-for-pound King? It is hard to predict who will win this fight because Volk is undefeated and Islam hasn't lost since 2015. I can't wait for this fight because Islam is going to want to take Volk to the ground, but Volk is an immovable object. Islam has not faced anyone like Volk yet. However, Volk has never faced anyone like Islam. Another thing that has to be factored in is Perth is basically a home fight for Volk as he was born in Wollongong, Australia. When Islam defeated Oliviera to become champion in Abu Dhabi it was basically a home fight for him as well. It'd be interesting to see if history repeats itself just a few months later.
Not only is the main event going to be one for the ages, but the co-main event should be a banger as well. It's the second-ranked Featherweight Yair Rodriguez vs fifth-ranked Josh Emmett for the Interim Featherweight Championship. This is going to be a really interesting fight based on styles. Rodriguez can knock you out, or tap you out. Yair is a really complete fighter and can do it all with six wins by knockout and three by submission. As for Emmett, he likes to stand and bang. Emmett also holds six knockouts. He also has two submissions in his career, but not recently. Recently, Emmett has been picking up his wins via decision or knockout. His last bout against Calvin Kattar was an extremely controversial split decision. As for Yair, he won his last fight against Brian Ortega very decisively. Another exciting factor going into this fight is regardless of the outcome of the main event, the winner of the co-main will fight Volk for the Undisputed Featherweight Championship.
The lack of promotion for this fight from the UFC is insane considering there is so much at stake this Saturday night in the land down under. It's not even like the card is boring before these fights. Up-and-comer Jack Della Maddalena gets to fight in front of his home crowd against Randy Brown who is a dangerous fighter. The roar of the crowd is going to be through the roof when Jack walks out. Before that is New Zealand's Justin Tafa fighting close to home against Parker Porter in a heavyweight bout. That fight is going to have don't blink action and someone's going to sleep. Hometown Jimmy Crute opens the main card against Alonzo Menifield in a Light Heavyweight bout. That'll be another slug-fest. Tyson Pedro and Jamie Mullarkey are going to be featured on the prelims as well. This card is going to be must watch from beginning to end. Saturday can not come quickly enough!
Can't wait to watch! LOL