UFC on FOX 26 is upon the MMA world, as the event goes down Saturday night in Winnipeg. The card features a glut of fights that have the potential for a high amount of violence. But which fights have the best chance to feature a high-level war?
Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael dos Anjos
The UFC on FOX 26 main event should not disappoint. Any time Lawler fights, fans can expect copious amounts of violence. See his welterweight title defenses against Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit for the best examples. Dos Anjos is also known to be exciting. Check out his lightweight title defense against Anthony Pettis and losing effort against UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson for proof. The battle between former UFC champions is a guaranteed war.
Mike Perry vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
This welterweight bout is almost certainly the favorite fight on the card for striking fans everywhere. The likelihood of a knockout on either side is extremely high. All of “Platinum” Perry’s 11 professional victories have come via knockout or TKO. Ponzinibbio, however, is riding a five-fight winning streak that includes three knockouts. He scored a vicious upset knockout victory over Gunnar Nelson in his most recent fight. The winner of this main card fight will solidify a top-10 ranking at welterweight.
Glover Teixeira vs. Misha Cirkunov
Cirkunov will look to rebound from his first UFC loss to the next light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir against former light heavyweight title challenger Teixeira. All five of Cirkunov’s UFC outings have resulted in a stoppage. Teixeira has earned stoppages in seven of his nine UFC victories, but was knocked out in his last two losses. Whether it’s in the standup or on the ground, there’s a very good chance that someone gets finished in this light heavyweight showcase.
John Makdessi vs. Abel Trujillo
When he’s on, Trujillo can be one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division. Unfortunately, we haven’t really seen that version of Trujillo since 2014. But we might tomorrow. In an interview with MMAJunkie Radio, Trujillo said the “gimmie fight” with Makdessi will “be a fatality.” Those are big words to back up. Makdessi is no slouch in the striking department himself. According to UFC.com, Makdessi has never attempted a UFC takedown. Which means we’re likely in for a violent stand-up war.
Jordan Mein vs. Erick Silva
It’s one of the first fights on the card, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Win or lose, Silva is never in a boring fight. All but two of his 14 UFC fights have ended in him or his opponent stopped. Since his return to fighting, Mein is 0-2, and is on a three-fight losing streak. With his back up against the wall, expect Mein to come out guns blazing. If that happens, fans could see a very fast first round finish one way or the other.
Nordine Taleb vs. Danny Roberts
Three of Roberts’ four UFC bouts have ended in a finish. That could extend in his next meeting with Nordine Taleb. The Frenchman is just a couple of fights removed from a spectacular knockout win over Erick Silva. This bout is a dark horse in terms of violence potential, as that was Taleb’s only UFC finish. But Roberts’ style could bring the same fighter out of Taleb who knocked out Silva. Fans will have to tune into the UFC on FOX 26 Fight Pass prelims to see.
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