Diggin’ Deep on UFC 218: Holloway vs. Aldo 2 - Main card preview

Get the scoop on the main card of UFC 218, featuring a long anticipated scrap between TUF 26 coaches Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje.

Usually there is at least one fight on a PPV main card that fans are scratching their head at. With good reason too. Remember last year when Ryan Benoit and Fredy Serrano kicked off the main card UFC 201? Not recent enough for your memory? Fine, UFC 216 featured Mara Romero Borella and Kalindra Faria making their UFC debuts on the main card. I don’t think anyone was slamming down $60 to watch either of them.

Maybe I should get to my point. UFC 218 has no filler on it. Each and every contest is worth shelling out some money for. I hate telling people to purchase PPV’s as fights can be so hit-or-miss, but this unheralded card is going to be worth it. Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje alone may be worth the price of admission. I agree with many that the UFC has been boneheaded on many recent decisions, but they did the public right when they put this card together.

The main card kicks off at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT on Saturday.

Henry Cejudo (11-2) vs. Sergio Pettis (16-2), Flyweight

Though there have been all sorts of talks about TJ Dillashaw challenging the UFC’s one and only flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson, DJ’s camp hasn’t uttered a word yet as to what the future holds for the longest reigning UFC champion. Thus, this contest may or may not have immediate title implications at stake.

Even though he already fell short against Johnson in dramatic fashion, Cejudo enters this contest as the rightful favorite. A gold medal winning wrestler from the 2008 Olympics, Cejudo has rarely had to utilize his world-class pedigree upon his time in the UFC. He has shown he can get anyone to the ground whenever he really wants to – see his last contest with Wilson Reis and his early takedown of DJ – and has yet to be taken down himself in a UFC contest.

What Cejudo has relied upon the most is his boxing, sticking and moving at a rate that belies his experience as a martial artist. Most of that is due to the elite level of athleticism possessed by Cejudo, but make no mistake he’s been dedicated to making himself a better striker as his demolition of Wilson Reis clearly demonstrated. He’s always put forth punches and kicks at a steady stream with a level of technique that surprised most given wrestling is his base, but there was a level of crispness and power that he had never shown before. There are still holes in his defense a strong counter-puncher could score on, but that’s usually washed over by Cejudo’s sheer volume.

Pettis doesn’t throw at the same clip as Cejudo and doesn’t appear to have the same level of power either, evidenced by the lack of finishes in his seven UFC victories. What Pettis does have going for him is the most technical striking game in the division this side of the champion. His footwork, his angles, his feints, his slips… they’re all picture perfect. His defense does slip a bit when he’s throwing, leaving himself vulnerable to being countered. Outside of that, it’s difficult to find issue with anything within his own control on the feet.

On the ground, Pettis doesn’t get enough credit for either his wrestling or his grappling. No one is going to give him the wrestling edge against Cejudo, but Pettis has held his own against most opponents. His guard is crafty and needs to be respected as well. He did try to rush things early in his UFC career, but has settled down to the point he rarely if ever puts himself into a dangerous situation due to his own recklessness.

If I were Pettis’ coach, I would have rather seen him take another fight against an opponent with a respected wrestling pedigree before taking on Cejudo. Ray Borg for instance. Mainly because I don’t believe Pettis is quite ready for what Cejudo brings to the table. Yes, Pettis has four years of UFC experience under his belt, but he was only 20-years old when he made his debut. Now 24, he still has plenty of time to continue learning and growing. Regardless of my thoughts, Pettis will provide Cejudo with a challenge on the feet in what should be a fun flyweight contest. Cejudo via decision

Eddie Alvarez (28-5, 1 NC) vs. Justin Gaethje (18-0), Lightweight

This is a contest fans have been drooling about ever since the UFC declared these two would be coaching opposite of one another. Given they are both two of the top action fighters in the sport – not just the division – you can’t blame fans for being excited.

Many have been questioning how much longer Alvarez can remain amongst the elite. 33 is generally the age in which most lightweights begin the leave their prime – if they haven’t already – and Alvarez has been fighting professionally for 14 years. Those aren’t easy years either as Alvarez’s hard-charging style has led to him taking a lot of damage. Traditionally he has been very durable, but there are signs that narrative is reversing as Conor McGregor finished him with ease. Given Alvarez tends to get hurt in every contest he’s in, it’s likely he’s going to end up being finished before he ends up making his usual comeback.

Provided age hasn’t taken its full toll on Alvarez, he’s still on of the slickest pocket boxers in the sport. His ability to stick and move is often forgotten about given brawling nature once he gets hurt. His crouched stance can create a difficult target at times with his uppercuts on the ready to be thrown. Alvarez’s wrestling has been receiving more attention as of late given he placed a greater emphasis on it on his road to the title. He’s a competent grappler, though he hasn’t scored a submission victory in over seven years.

Gaethje is considered by many to be a younger version of Alvarez given his brawling nature and ability to recover from getting hurt. However, Gaethje has never shown the same level of craft Alvarez possesses, relying more on brute toughness and raw power to steamroll his opponents. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have any craft to his boxing, you’d be hard-pressed to find an elite fighter who makes less use of the jab. His defense largely consists of him hiding behind his forearms while leaving his midsection wide open. Don’t get me wrong, Gaethje is a lot of fun to watch, but that isn’t conducive to a long career. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention his low kicks either as Gaethje brutalized Michael Johnson’s legs to the point he could barely stand.

Given Alvarez’s willingness to mix things up, I can see a scenario in which he is able to find a way to outlast the younger fighter. However, people often forget that Gaethje was an All-American in wrestling. Even if he doesn’t want to take the fight to the mat himself, he can keep opponents from dragging him down too. People like to point out that Gaethje gets tired in contests as well, but it never stops him from throwing hard leather. I like the newer model in this one, but I doubt I’ll care who wins by the end. Gaethje via TKO of RD3

Tecia Torres (9-1) vs. Michelle Waterson (14-5), Women’s Strawweight

If there is anyone that was bummed by Rose Namajunas winning the strawweight title, it was Torres. Had Jedrzejczyk emerged victorious again, Torres would have been the highest ranked strawweight who had yet to face the former champion. Now, her road to the title might be the longest out of any other fighter ranked in the top five. Why? Torres has yet to pick up a signature victory in her UFC run. Despite a 5-1 record, she hasn’t picked up wins over anyone within the official UFC rankings.

Nonetheless, no one questions Torres’ talent. Despite being one of the smallest strawweights at 5'1"with a miniscule 60" reach, Torres’ expert use of angles and footwork make her one of the most efficient out-fighters in the division. Her kicks and punches don’t have an overwhelming amount of power behind them, but she knows how to rack up the damage at a rapid pace. Though few think of her as a threat on the ground – mostly due to her struggles with takedowns – Torres has proven to be an effective scrambler with more than adequate submission skills.

Despite Torres’ proficiency on the ground, Waterson will likely have the advantage should the fight hit the mat. The former Invicta atomweight champion is used to being at a size disadvantage since making her way to the UFC and has still proven to be an effective submission artist, securing RNC’s in both of her UFC victories thus far. Her abilities off her back shouldn’t be glossed over either. On the feet, Waterson’s karate base is well established, in part because of her nickname being the Karate Hottie. Her typical arsenal is generally more flashy and explosive than that of Torres, but she also shows a lot more defensive holes than her counterpart.

There are few in the division who more consistent than Torres. She rarely makes mistakes, largely because she knows she can’t afford to do so given her lack of size and power. Waterson’s lack of size makes it difficult for her to overwhelm her foes, relying on them to make mistakes in which she can capitalize. Torres rarely makes mistakes, meaning she should win comfortably. Torres via decision