UFC 149: Comparing the Original Card to the Current Version

Riley KontekJun 7, 2018

The UFC's voyage to Calgary this year has gone through a crazy amount of changes already, and the event is still a month out. The biggest changes have affected the main card, as the stars of the card have gone through injuries and numerous opponent changes.

To present day, the card is pretty much set, barring any more injuries. In looking at the original card and the current card, let's compare the two and see if the changes were for better or worse.

Bouts That Have Not Changed

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Here are the matchups that have not experienced a change:

Claude Patrick vs. James Head

George Roop vs. Antonio Carvalho

Mitch Clarke vs. Anton Kuivanen

Bryan Caraway vs. Mitch Gagnon

Ryan Jimmo vs. Anthony Perosh

Court McGee vs. Nick Ring

Top Bantamweight Signing/Placement on Card "Jumps the Gun"

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Original Matchup: Roland Delorme vs. Bibiano Fernandes

Current Matchup: Roland Delorme vs. Francisco Rivera

Original reports said that the UFC had signed top bantamweight free-agent Bibiano Fernandes, who would make his debut on the UFC 149 card in Calgary.

Fernandes' reported opponent, Roland Delorme, was seen as a warm-up fight for a potential title contender. But, just as UFC fans were licking their chops at this marvelous signing, it was reported that the signing never took place.

Stepping in to take on Delorme is Francisco Rivera, a man who though exciting, is not nearly the star Fernandes is. Either way, this fight looks to be an interesting bantamweight bout.

Better Matchup: Original

Welterweight Double Shuffle

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Original Matchup: Thiago Alves vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Current Matchup: Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Chris Clements

This welterweight main card match has gone through a complete makeover.

It started with Thiago Alves taking on Yoshihiro Akiyama. Akiyama got hurt in training, opening up the opportunity for Siyar Bahadurzada to take the fight. Then, Alves was injured in training, which allowed Canadian welterweight Chris Clements to grab a spot on his home country's card.

So as it stands, two strikers will compete on the main card. It is not nearly the matchup that Alves-Akiyama would have been, but it will be an exciting bout either way.

Better Matchup: Original

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Original Matchup: Cheick Kongo vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Current Matchup: Cheick Kongo vs. Shawn Jordan

The minute the matchup between Kongo and Nogueira was announced, I knew it would be scrapped. There was no way, in my mind, that Nogueira's arm was going to be heal enough to compete that soon after Mir snapped it December.

In his place steps a not-too-well known Shawn Jordan, a man who impressed against lesser competition in his UFC debut. Obviously, it is huge of him to step up on short notice, which was likely caused by bigger name heavyweights not being available.

Jordan is a slugger, as is Kongo. Although the name value went down, this fight still has the potential to be a barn burner.

Better Matchup: Original

Bisping Out, Bellator Champ in

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Original Matchup: Tim Boetsch vs. Michael Bisping

Current Matchup: Tim Boetsch vs. Hector Lombard

Tim Boetsch is one of the hottest middleweights in the UFC, which has earned him the honor of a big fight on this card. Luckily, when his top-ranked opponent, Michael Bisping, fell out of the card due to injury, another huge name stepped up to save the fight.

Former Bellator champion Hector Lombard was supposed to make his UFC debut against Brian Stann, but an injury nixed that fight. Bisping's injury allowed Lombard to make his debut even earlier than he was supposed to, especially against a credible opponent.

Better Matchup: Even

Total Nix of Brazilian Showdown in Light Heavyweight Division

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Original Matchup: Mauricio Rua vs. Thiago Silva

Current Matchup: Maurcio Rua vs. Brandon Vera (at UFC on Fox 4)

A fight that was originally intended for the main card, Thiago Silva and Mauricio Rua will not happen at all. Silva dropped the fight due to injury, leaving Rua without an opponent and pulled off the card.

With Lombard and Stann's aforementioned fight being pulled from UFC on Fox, the UFC needed a filler headliner for that card. So, Rua was matched with Brandon Vera to headline that card, which left all of these men away from UFC 149.

Better Matchup: N/A

Main Event Shuffle

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Original Matchup: Jose Aldo vs. Erik Koch for UFC Featherweight title

Current Matchup: Urijah Faber vs. Renan Barao for interim UFC Bantamweight title

Just when it looked as if UFC 149 would not get a championship main event, another one was swooped in to save the day.

Jose Aldo was set to defend his strap against Erik Koch on this card, but was forced out of the bout due to injury. Luckily, a title bout co-main event at UFC 148 could fill the gap, leaving Canadian fans happy.

In my opinion, Calgary lucked out here, as the Faber-Barao matchup is much more intriguing than Aldo-Koch. Kudos to Calgary.

Better Matchup: Current