WEDNESDAY NEWS DIGEST 11/29: Cormier vs. Oezdemir is set for UFC 220, Alvarez guarantees fireworks against Gaethje, Aldo is the reason why UFC 218 sold out

BY MICHAEL GROCKE, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Daniel Cormier

Cormier vs. Oezdemir is set for UFC 220

The light heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier vs. Volkan Oezdemir is set for UFC 220 on January 20 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. There were some questions as to whether the fight would even happen due to Oezdemir’s arrest and charges of aggravated battery earlier in the month.

Grocke’s POV: I was hoping we got this fight sooner rather than later. Cormier wanted the fight and it’s a fresh match-up that I’m interested in seeing. 

Alvarez guarantees fireworks against Gaethje

Eddie Alvarez was on the MMA Hour and spoke about what to expect from his fight against Justin Gaethje on Saturday night.

“For me, this is the main event. For me, there is extra leverage going into this fight because I’ve beaten every single champion from almost every organization you can think of. From Shinya Aoki from Strikeforce to (Gilbert) Melendez to Pettis from UFC, then to Bellator, the list goes on and on.”

Grocke’s POV: I agree with Alvarez. While the main card of UFC is loaded, this is the fight I’m looking forward to the most.

“I will say this, it’s going to be fu*kin’ nuts because I spent a great deal of this training camp working not giving a fu*k myself and I’m getting better and better the less I care.

“I don’t have a crystal ball but I can tell fans right now, they better have their popcorn and their soda ready for this fight because it’s going to be something special to watch.”

Grocke’s POV: I hope the fight is as crazy as it has the potential to be. However, if Eddie was smart he would refrain from getting into a firefight with Gaethje. He has the wrestling which gives him a huge advantage on the ground. The key here is to not throw caution to the wind and stand in the pocket and trade with Gaethje. Alvarez has been known to throw caution to the wind in the past, and at this stage of his career I don’t see him changing. It should be fun.

Aldo is the reason why UFC 218 sold out

Dana White had nothing but praise for Jose Aldo at a media lunch. Including give Aldo credit for UFC 218 being a sellout.

“So, the Detroit show is on par to sell out. We’re selling out. The show’s going to be a sellout. You know when you’re going to sell out because of how many tickets you have left and how many days. We put Jose Aldo on the card, and – (vanishing sound). Tickets. Yeah.”

Grocke’s POV: I know a lot of fans are down on this rematch. However, I was all for Aldo getting the fight over Cub Swanson. I also think this rematch will be a better and more competitive fight than Holloway vs. Edgar or Holloway vs. Swanson. It’s hard to take a lot of what Dana White says at face value, but I do think Aldo will generate more PPV buys. Now, is the event a sellout because of Aldo? That just might be White being bitter towards Frankie Edgar.

 

MMA News Notebook

Royce Gracie’s son, Khonry Gracie has signed with Bellator.

Michael Bisping received a 60-day medical suspension after his loss at UFC Fight Night 122.

Rory MacDoanld hopes to be used as an alternate should one of the fighters have to withdraw.

 

Fight Announcements 

Hector Lombard vs. CB Dollaway is set for UFC 222

Ricardo Lamas vs. Josh Emmett is set for UFC on FOX 26

Derek Brunson vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza is set for UFC on FOX 27

Khalil Rountree vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (replaces Gokhan Saki) is set for UFC 219

Michael McDonald vs. Peter Ligier is set for Bellator 191

Valerie Letourneau vs. Kate Jackson is set for Bellator 191

Saad Awad vs. JJ Ambrose is set for Bellator 193


NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS NEWS: Bisping plans to retire after UFC Fight Night 127, Goddard on point deductions, ONE Championship: Immortal Pursuit results, Cage Warriors 89 results

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*