UFC 180 takes place live from Mexico City, Mexico this Saturday, Nov. 15. In the main event, top UFC heavyweights Fabricio Werdum and Mark Hunt are set to clash for the interim title, and in the co-main event, welterweights Jake Ellenberger and Kelvin Gastelum are looking to rise the rankings with a win at this pay-per-view event. Also on the main card, top featherweights in the ultra-stacked division are set to fight it out, as Ricardo Lamas takes on Dennis Bermudez. As always, there’s always some things you can expect from UFC events, and I’m here to list the top three things you should expect.
An easy night out for the #1 heavyweight, Werdum
The minute you think about Werdum vs. Hunt, you think it’s going to be so good, so close, and you don’t know who to pick, you’re giving Hunt maybe even an advantage. We all think briefly looking at the matchup, because well, it’s simple: It’s Mark Hunt. He owns one of the heaviest pairs of iron fists in the division, and is capable of knocking out anyone he chooses. With not the greatest amount of technical skill, he doesn’t always get those chances, and that is what I think will happen on Saturday night. I believe Werdum is the much better fight, and he also owns one of the best ground games the combat sport has ever seen. I expect to see Werdum take Hunt down pretty early on in the fight, round two or three, and likely get a submission victory, easily claiming the interim belt. Werdum has proven he can stand against the best strikers in the game, and so I think he’ll be fine on the feet, if that’s where he wants to put on a show.
What to expect: UFC 180 edition
A close fight between two ranked welterweights, Ellenberger and Gastelum
I still barely know who to pick in the co-main event of the evening. To me, it’s a very close fight, and very important for both fighters. Ellenberger has been on a little bit of a decline, most recently dropping a TKO loss to Robbie Lawler, and this could be his time to regain that “Juggernaut” feeling, hence his nickname. This is also Gastelum’s time to shine, as a top prospect in the division and possible future contender. The undefeated 170er will definitely be given a tough test at UFC 180, and this would be his biggest win of his career, leapfrogging him into the top 10 for sure. It all comes down to who has a better night. To me, they have almost equal skill (right now), but Ellenberger has the experience advantage, and Gastelum has the confidence advantage. Who wins it?
Unless you study hard, don’t expect to know anyone fighting until mid-way through the main card
UFC 180 at first was shaping up to be a decent card, with Cain Velasquez vs. Werdum for starters. Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Lauzon would’ve also been great, but unfortunately, neither of those fights will be happening on the weekend. Instead, we get a card that includes fighters no one knows pretty much until the last three fights. There is one women’s fight on the preliminary card, both fighters most fans should know. Since the card features fighters from TUF: Latin America, there’s lots of bouts that no one knows the two fighters. Don’t be worried when we’re finished the prelim card and you’ve only seen a couple familiar faces. Heck, there’s some main carders I don’t know! (which is bad, by the way)
