The UFC heads to Canada this weekend for an exciting card in the form of UFC 240. Holloway vs Edgar looms as an excellent Featherweight title fight, while Cris Cyborg will look to bounce back against Felicia Spencer in the Co-Main. We’ll take a look at each of the top fights on this card, providing our best bets in the process.
Max Holloway
Already one of the better Featherweights of all time, Holloway enters this bout boasting a 20-4 career record. He was the interim title holder in 2016, before an impressive knockout of Jose Aldo saw him claim the unified belt. He then backed this up with two more knockout wins against Aldo and Brian Ortega. Known for his excellent power, Holloway already has 10 wins by knockout to his credit.
Frankie Edgar
A very respected veteran in this sport, the 37-year-old enters this bout with a 23-6-1 career record. He is someone who has struggled against the top opposition, losing to both Jose Aldo and Benson Henderson multiple times. That said, recent wins over Stephens, Rodriguez, and Swanson show that he is deserving of this title shot. Known primarily for his elite cardio, the majority of his wins have come by way of decision.
Prediction: Holloway by KO/Points
At this stage in their careers, I think Holloway is comfortably the better fighter. I also expect him to be incredibly motivated after his loss to Dustin Poirier last time out. He has the power and speed edge in the striking game, which I expect to prove too much here. While a knockout is the most likely outcome, Edgar’s strong chin and cardio mean this could ultimately go to a decision.
Cris Cyborg
One of the most storied female MMA fighters of all time, Cyborg enters this contest with a 20-2-1 career record. She suffered her first loss in 13 years last time out, losing her Women’s Featherweight title to countrywoman Amanda Nunes. Known for her incredible power, 17 of Cyborg’s 20 wins have come via knockout, including 4 of 5 since joining the UFC.
Felicia Spencer
Having primarily fought in Invicta, Spencer enters the biggest fight of her career with a 7-0 record. She managed a win in her UFC debut just two months ago, knocking out Aussie Megan Anderson in the first round. Primarily a submission artist, 4 of her 7 wins have been by submission so far.
Prediction: Cyborg by KO
With Cyborg not willing to fight Nunes again, I do feel a bit sorry for Felicia Spencer here. She is incredibly overmatched here and I think a motivated Cyborg looks for the finish early. While Spencer does have a chance on the ground, Cyborg is too quick and powerful in what should be a very one-way fight.
Geoff Neal
Neal has been steadily climbing the MMA ranks and enters this bout with a solid 11-2 career record. He is 3-0 since joining the UFC, managing a win by each of the 3 main methods. He is known primarily for his excellent speed and defensive ability, which should come in handy against Price.
Niko Price
Price also has a very stellar record to date, going 13-2-1 in his career. He has 7 UFC fights under his belt, going 4-2-1 in the process. Powerful striking is definitely the main part of his game, with 9 of his wins coming via knockout.
Prediction: Price $3.15
After taking two favourites early on, I’m seeing the value here on Price as an underdog. While Neal is probably the slightly better fighter, the odds suggest that he is comfortably ahead of his opponent. He hasn’t been tested against a fighter of Price’s quality and if a few early strikes connect, I really like this $3.15 price point.
Aubin-Mercier
Despite a recent downturn in form, Aubin-Mercier, still boasts a very solid 11-4 record for his career. While he was working his way into title contention, recent losses to Alex Hernandez and Gilbert Burns have seen him plummet down the rankings. Known primarily as a submission specialist, 8 of his 11 wins have come via a ground finish.
Arman Tsarukyan
Although he has gone somewhat under the radar, the 22-year-old Russian still boasts a very impressive 13-2 career record. He fought in the Co-Main at Fight Night 149, ultimately losing a decision to Islam Makhachev. He does boast very solid power for a Lightweight, with most of his wins coming via knockout.
Prediction: Aubin-Mercier by Submission/Points $3
This is another classic battle between a striker and a grappler. I like Aubin-Mercier again as the relatively sizeable underdog in this bout. He puts a ton of pressure on his opponents and I’m not sure Tsarukyan has the experience to deal with it. If he can get this fight to the ground early and often, I only see the result going one way.