5 Reasons to Watch UFC Fight Night 57
The UFC is back on Fox Sports 1 on Saturday for UFC Fight Night 57. Live from Texas, it is a stacked card with contenders and top prospects alike.
The card is headlined by former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar as he takes on potential top contender Cub Swanson. The winner could be Jose Aldo's next contender for the UFC Featherweight Championship.
The card also boasts names like Bobby Green, Edson Barboza, Joseph Benavidez and Matt Wiman. It should make for a great night of scraps.
Need five reasons to watch? Read on, as Bleacher Report gives you them.
No. 1 Contender's Match?
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Outside the Conor McGregor show are two of the top-ranked 145ers in the world in Cub Swanson and Frankie Edgar. Both men have a legitimate claim to be Jose Aldo's next challenger, which makes this bout important.
Swanson has been on a tear lately, showing vast improvements and destroying everyone in his path. He yearns for a rematch with the champ, as his first encounter with Aldo lasted seconds before he was put down.
Edgar is also looking for a rematch to a close fight where Aldo edged him on the scorecards. Edgar is marketable as an ex-champion and could draw big with a rematch against the featherweight king.
Either way, this bout is significant in the featherweight division.
Return of "The King"
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The UFC has struggled to build new, marketable stars, but Bobby Green is a guy who is breaking away from the pack. The young lightweight's brash humor and exciting fight style have earned him a following among fans.
Green is a well-rounded fighter who brings aggression and swagger to the cage. He uses Nick Diaz-like taunting to bait opponents into a firefight.
He takes on a tough opponent in Edson Barboza Saturday night. He will need to use his wits and superior ground ability to stave off the muay thai machine who has taken out so many UFC foes.
Joe-B Flys Under the Radar
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Joseph Benavidez is a Top Three flyweight in the world, yet nobody is talking about his fight Saturday night. It's a bit weird, if you ask me.
Sure, he needs to do a lot to get another crack at Demetrious Johnson, but he's still an exciting, world-class fighter whom fans can get behind. He is part of the famous Team Alpha Male, which has produced some of the best lighter-weight fighters in the world.
It's also a disservice to Dustin Ortiz, his opponent. Ortiz has quietly stormed up the rankings and become a dark horse at 125 pounds.
This fight should provide fireworks.
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Heavyweight Dark Horses
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You may not realize it, but this card has a few heavyweight prospects on it. That should make for a nice glimpse into the future.
On the main card, you have Jared Rosholt vs. Oleksiy Oliynyk in a classic wrestler vs. submission grappler matchup. Both men are not completely rounded fighters but have the ability to hang with high-quality opposition.
On the prelim "headliner," RFA champ Josh Copeland looks to make a good first impression in the UFC against Russian juggernaut Ruslan Magomedov. Both guys could be top fighters with the company, given their well-rounded skill set and overall toughness.
Tune in for the big boys, and you won't be disappointed.
Free TV, of Course!
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If I said it once, I will say it a thousand times: Watch UFC Fight Night 57 because you don't have to spend a dime (except for your monthly cable bill, of course).
Free TV cards are usually among the most exciting because they feature guys who are trying to make a name for themselves. That makes them more apt to putting on exciting performances, so they can build their brand.
So come Saturday night, if you aren't doing anything important, grab some junk food, buy some beers and pick your favorite couch so you can enjoy what should be a fun night of scraps.
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