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Your support makes all the difference.A stacked fight card hits Canada this weekend, as the Octagon finds it’s was Calgary. The rematch of the year could be in store as the two most technical brawlers of the lightweight division face off for a second time. Fourth ranked Dustin Poirier will look to settle the score against former UFC champion, Eddie Alvarez. Their previous bout back in May of 2017, was ruled a no contest due to illegal strikes. The back and forth battle bruised and bloodied both competitors, but in the second round Alvarez, still reeling from a stinging Poirier combination, kneed his downed opponent in the head.
Deemed unfit to continue by the Octagonside doctor, the fight was waved off, and rescheduled for this weekend. These guys pride themselves on the ferocity they bring to the contest. Not only is this a crucial step towards their title shot, but also the brawler bragging rights are on the line, which both fighters value so highly. As skilled as they are aggressive, their striking abilities are outstanding, and they both have a well versed wrestling and submissions game. It is unlikely that we will see any of that in this bout though, and they are keen to get the knockout and finally settle what has become quite the grudge match. This is a fight we could happily watch every weekend, if these two prizefighters could withstand the punishment they each dish out.
Always exciting, Eddie Alvarez is of the Mark Henry school of boxing. One of the greatest minds in MMA striking. Coach of Frankie Edgar, Corey Anderson, and many other top flight UFC fighters, Henry is a stickler for footwork. He trains his fighters with a code system which is easily communicable in a fight, yet impossible to decipher by the opposition. Their ground fighting skills are honed by UFC veteran and BJJ specialist, Ricardo Almeida. Working perfectly together, this team have found a balance which is a proven winning combination.
Poirier, fighting out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, was a top ten contender in the featherweight division before making the move back up to lightweight in 2015. Since then he has proved just as dangerous, going 7-1-1 (no contest) with five stoppages. His varied attack may be more diverse than that of Alvarez, and his front kick up the middle could be the perfect answer to Eddie’s aggressive style. We love these two because they are risk takers. They thrive on that adrenaline rush from trading punches, and would feel just as frustrated as the fans with a slow paced, cautious match up. Not a concern in this one though.
The co-main should be just as electrifying, as former pound-for-pound king, Jose Aldo, tries to get back into the win column against the always tough, Jeremy Stephens. With a reputation like Aldo has you don’t get any easy fights. Coming off back to back losses to current champion, Max Holloway, Jose may feel more pressure than ever to make this outing a success. Stephens is not the type of fighter you want to draw if your confidence is low, and a durable puncher may be a big ask for Aldo. Able to withstand a beating and remain strong is one of Jeremy Stephens best assets.
Aldo has a history of slowing down if the fight starts at a frenetic pace, and that is to be expected with Stephens. He will either weather an early storm from an aggressive Aldo, or push forward and make Aldo work. Either way, the feeling out process we see in many fights is unlikely in this one. You have to think that the heavy lead leg of Stephens is vulnerable to the powerful low kicks of Jose. A skilled Muay Thai fighter with some of the best kicks in the game, he is so good at disabling his opponents movement so that they are forced to stand flat footed and defend punches.
The technical advantage has to go to the former featherweight King. Aldo is an excellent person for any budding combat athletes to study. In the MMA game though there are more variables which must be taken into account. Toughness, conditioning, and heart are key attributes, and three words that describe Jeremy Stephens. He is warlike in his approach to fights, relishing in the high stakes gamble that is close-quarter fighting. It may be his time to shine, and he will need to be the best version of himself to beat Jose.
Many more fights on this card stand out as potential barn burners, including the UK’s own Ross Pearson. He will be talking on John Makdessi, who will be happy to kickbox with Pearson all night long. With a Taekwondo background, Makdessi is more dangerous as range, with Ross having the boxing advantage. I can see Makdessi wanting to test a ground fight at some point as well, to which Pearson will demonstrate his excellent takedown defence.
Watch UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALVAREZ vs. POIRIER 2 live on BT Sport from 11pm BST on Saturday, July 28, or catch the Early Prelims exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from 9:00pm BST
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