UFC 222 goes down this weekend in the promotions hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cris Cyborg (19-1-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will go toe-to-toe against promotional newcomer, Yana Kunitskaya.The women’s featherweight queen will look to defend her title for a second time on Saturday night.
The Russian debutant (10-3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), and former Invicta FC bantamweight champion will enter the Octagon as a heavy underdog on Saturday night in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, and rightly so.
The hard-hitting champion has not lost a professional mixed martial arts contest since her debut back in 2005. The champion is on a perfect 4-0 start to her UFC tenure and is looking to defend her title for a second time. Cyborg ran in a unanimous decision victory over Holly Holm at UFC 219, last December.
It will also be the Brazilian's second defense of her title since winning the vacant belt against Tonya Evinger at UFC 219 in July of last year. Cyborg won that contest via TKO in the third round.
The challenger fights out of Jackson Wink MMA, the same stable as Holly Holm. So, it will be another battle of the wits outside the Octagon between their respective coaches. Jason Parrillo vs. Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn for a second time in less than three months. It’s an intriguing dynamic to the fight.
Key to victory:
There is no way you can bet against the champion in this contest. The hard-hitting Champion's physical prowess, forward pressure and precise combinations will be a huge problem for Kunitskaya.
It will be the Russian's first bout at 145lbs since March 2015. Expect the fight to play out on the feet, as the Jackson Wink MMA product predominantly likes to exchange in the pocket with her Muay Thai style.
The Murmansk native will have to implement an in and out style to trouble Cyborg, landing quick shots and retreating quickly off the back foot, and even if the challenger attempts to take the fight to the ground, she will struggle with Cyborg's excellent take-down defence and powerful frame.
The 7/1 underdog told members of the media that the Champion lacks “true knockout power.” A pretty astounding comment considering the champion has nine first-round finishes and three second-round finishes on her pro resume. Cyborg's power and polished boxing skills, under the tutelage of Jason Parillo will be the difference in this championship bout. I expect another TKO/KO finish on the champion's record.
Co - Main Event: Edgar vs. Ortega
An outstanding match on paper, and the winner will hold the rights to number one contendership for Max Holloway's featherweight title. It's a true contest of the new breed against the old guard.
Ortega's rise has been fast paced, with the young Californian racking up a perfect pro record of 13-0. The one blemish being a no contest after he tested positive for banned steroid drostanolone.
Edgar was schedule to fight for the title on this card but champion Holloway had to pull out of the bout, due to injury. In stepped Ortega.
I expect New Jersey's Edgar to use his quick pace and excellent boxing to keep this on the feet. He'll look to avoid Ortega's take-downs and fierce repertoire of chokes that have been so successful in his UFC stint. Saying that, Mark Henry's Edgar is no slouch on the ground, he holds a BJJ black belt under Ricardo Almeida.
It's pretty much a pick em' fight for me but Ortega's physical stature could be the difference here, but I wouldn't rule out "the Answer." Fight of the night contender here.
Ones to watch:
Zingano vs. Viera - Cat Zingano returns to the cage for the first time since July, 2016. The former bantamweight challenger is coming off two straight losses, and will be looking to make a statement against the unbeaten and impressive, Ketlen Viera.
The winner of this fight may entertain a move in weight class, and fight the winner of the featherweight main event.
Yoder vs. Dern - Hot prospect McKenzie Dern makes her promotional debut in the women's straw-weight division. The BJJ world champion is 5-0 in her MMA career but faces her toughest test against a game Ashley Yoder.
It will be very interesting to see how Dern competes on debut, and added expectations, competition and pressure of the big leagues.
Sean O'Malley vs. Andre Soukhamthath - Dana White's TNCS prospect, and unbeaten Sean O'Malley returns for a second time. The unbeaten 23-year-old is an exciting prospect in the bantamweight division.
He faces Andre Soukhamthath on the main-card. Lots of expectations for the young fighter to make a further leap on the big PPV stage.
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