UFC 167: Ranking the Main Card Fights
The 20th anniversary of the UFC is upon us, and the world's largest MMA promotion has put on a doozy of a card. Between a welterweight championship bout, promising prospects and guaranteed great fights, UFC 167 should hit on all cylinders.
The card will of course see Georges St-Pierre take on Johny Hendricks in the 170-pound championship fight. St-Pierre has been unbeatable in recent years due to his wrestling and relentless jab, but will look to avoid the huge left hand of Oklahoma State wrestling alum Hendricks.
The main card has five fights featuring future and former title challengers. Let's take a look at and rank the fights on this pay-per-view card.
5. Josh Koscheck vs. Tyron Woodley
1 of 5
The second fight on the main card is a welterweight bout between former UFC title challenger Josh Koscheck and former Strikeforce title challenger Tyron Woodley.
In terms of what this fight means to the division, neither man is near the Top 10 right now. Koscheck looks like he has lost a step in his last few fights. Meanwhile, Woodley is a promising prospect that needs to get back in the win column after a lackluster performance against Jake Shields.
In terms of excitement, the only way this bout will get fans on their feet is with a finish. Koscheck is a winger that throws heavy leather, even though not the most technical. If he connects cleanly, though, he can end the fight with one punch.
Woodley is similar, as he is immensely powerful. However, he's not going to be confused with Bas Rutten from a technique standpoint, either. In any case, Koscheck has shown he can be knocked out, so it's not out of the question that Woodley could get the finish.
I see this fight being a battle of position, clinch and wrestling. That's why it doesn't seem intriguing.
4. Tim Elliott vs. Ali Bagautinov
2 of 5
The bout that kicks off the card is a flyweight bout between Tim Elliott and Ali Bagautinov. This is a great way to get the main card going, as the flyweights seem to deliver time and time again.
Both guys are coming off wins and are in a division where a title shot isn't far away with each. Outside of top contender Joseph Benavidez, there is no definitive next guy to fight the champion at 125. Perhaps one of these guys could step up and do it.
This fight has Fight of the Night all over it. Both men are quick, skilled, well-rounded and well conditioned.
This is the dark-horse bout on the main card.
3. Chael Sonnen vs. Rashad Evans
3 of 5
The co-main event has kind of become an afterthought in the aftermath of Chael Sonnen being announced as a coach opposite of Wanderlei Silva on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3.
That being said, this should still be a chess match between two top fighters at 205. It will be tactical, but it is unlikely to be the most exciting bout on the card.
Both men are wrestlers, but Rashad Evans is the more athletic, quick fighter. He is likely the better striker and will be avoiding the power double-leg takedown of Sonnen all night.
The winner is still likely a few fights away from the title.
Whatever happens to Sonnen, we already know what his next step is.
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2. Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler
4 of 5
Rory MacDonald may be the future welterweight champion of the UFC—that is, whenever he chooses to fight Georges St-Pierre, GSP retires, leaves the division or loses the title.
His last bout against Jake Ellenberger was boring to say the least. Ellenberger was tentative, MacDonald wasn't that aggressive and it was generally a disaster.
You won't see that fight with Robbie Lawler.
Lawler is aggressive and always looking for the knockout. He will be looking to knock the Canadian's head off, which will force MacDonald to put on his best performance.
That will make this fight fun and important.
1. Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks
5 of 5
No matter what anybody says about the fighting style of Georges St-Pierre, his fights always bring mystique and interest. This is especially true against a one-punch knockout artist like Johny Hendricks.
St-Pierre has fought a number of wrestlers, which could lead to the blueprint for this fight. You name them, he's fought them: Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes, Jon Fitch.
However, just the thought of a Hail Mary, puncher's chance knockout is enough to get fans buzzing for this fight. St-Pierre's last defeat came from a shocking knockout loss, even though that seems like an eternity ago.
Sure, it's the main event, but it's also the top-ranked and most important fight on this card.
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