UFC 234 was pegged to be a huge card. Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker who was supposed to defend his title against Kelvin Gastelum. Unfortunately for the fight fans Whittaker was forced to pull out of the card with a hernia. It is just another disappointing injury in the career of Whittaker.
Well we can’t sit here and cry about it, folks. There are still other fights that need to be discussed.
Let’s preview the remaining UFC 234 main card, set to air on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET.
Anderson Silva (+380) vs Israel Adesanya (-475)
The conversation of who is the greatest of all-time will never have a definitive answer. Everyone has their own opinion. Very few fighters are in that conversation.
Anderson Silva (34-8) however is in that discussion. In his prime Silva was virtually unstoppable. It was as if everyone fought in slow motion as he was always a step ahead. Arguably no one in the history has the kind of resume that he has. Silva possessed the most unique and diverse striking the UFC had ever seen.
Who holds the record for both the longest title reign and most defenses in UFC history? That would be Silva. His list of accomplishments are well chronicled. With that being said he is 43 years of age, has not fought since 2017 and has only won one fight in his last six contest. It’s safe to say that his best days are behind him.
As for his opponent Israel Adesanya (15-0) seems to be just beginning his own dominant run. He burst on the scene challenging everyone and dishing out warnings. He has not disappointed so far in his career. His style to be quite frank is much like a young Anderson Silva. Adesanya could be on his way to creating his own legend but first he will need to get past a man that many consider to be the greatest to ever step foot in the octagon.
Sam Alvey (+120) vs Jim Crute (-140)
Jim Crute (9-0) has looked great in his short UFC career. He made a big splash in Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series by knocking out Chris Birchler in the very first round. He followed that up by getting a submission win against Paul Craig. The UFC newcomer will be taking a major step up when he steps into the octagon against Sam Alvey (33-11).
If there’s one thing Alvey has continued to do in his career that is score impressive knockout victories. He has been a bit sporadic as of late but more times then not he gets the job done and usually emphatically.
Sam Alvey isn’t a contender in the Light Heavyweight division but he still has plenty left in the tank. Crute is ten years younger then his opponent but will undoubtedly have his hands full tonight.
Rani Yahya (-105) vs Ricky Simone (-115)
At 14-1 Ricky Simon is quickly proving to be a very talented UFC fighter. Simon is after all only 26 years old and wants to ascend the Bantamweight ranks quickly. He is a well rounded fighter as he is dangerous everywhere. He will need to be at his absolute best when he takes on Rani Yahya (26-9).
The aforementioned Yahya has been on an impressive run as he has won his last three fights in a row and all by submission. Of his 26 wins 20 of them have come via sub. Simon is a very good fighter but he still lacks the experience in terms of fighting the type of fighters the reside in the UFC. He will get a chance to prove that he belongs on the big stage tonight.
