Yay or Nay: Which Fights Move the Needle at UFC 188?
UFC 188 is going to be well worth the price of admission.
Headlined by a heavyweight grudge match between champion Cain Velasquez and fill-in divisional king Fabricio Werdum, Saturday night in Mexico City, Mexico, should be stout with action.
From elite lightweights to budding featherweights, from Olympic wrestlers to former The Ultimate Fighter winners, the well-rounded fight card is aching to blossom.
But throughout all of the exciting collisions set to take form inside of the Octagon, certain fights stand out among others.
They are the same divisional tilts that truly get the needle moving.
Here is a rundown of the five-fight main card, plus two preliminary bouts, showcasing which UFC 188 contests will fit this mold.
Henry Cejudo vs. Chico Camus: Nay
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Henry Cejudo is an absolute bruiser at flyweight.
Defined by his Olympic-level wrestling and persistent pressurizing, the undefeated 28-year-old has developed an inside track to fighting champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson in short time.
Now, while Chico Camus represents a 125-pound version of Clay Guida circa 2010, his wild tendencies will ultimately land him on his back in this fight.
That will lead to a rather one-sided outcome in favor of Cejudo, which doesn't bode well for ratings.
Of course, that's depending who you ask.
Efrain Escudero vs. Drew Dober: Yay
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Forget about their combined 5-7-1 UFC record, lightweights Efrain Escudero and Drew Dober have the potential to upset for Fight of the Night honors.
Now while neither fighter will be contending for the 155-pound strap anytime soon, their give-it-all-you-got mentalities make for good watching.
Mix in Dober's finishing rate and you have a volatile matchup between two veterans in need of a victory.
This will not be a fight we have to worry about stinking up our free TV time.
Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill: Nay
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Truth be told, women's MMA has really made it's mark in the UFC.
The fights have been relatively bloody and ultra-competitive, as well as memorable.
Unfortunately, Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill will not embody this mold come Saturday. Chalk it up to Torres' unparalleled athleticism and Hill's lack of professional experience.
In other words, The Tiny Tornado will perform more like an F5 when Hill enters her cross hairs.
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Yair Rodriguez vs. Charles Rosa: Yay
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Not many casual fans know who these two cats are.
To shed some light, Yair Rodriguez recently won The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America featherweight tournament, and Charles Rosa was born in a town called Peabody and has recorded 10 finishes in 11 professional fights.
Not to mention Rosa's only loss came opposite Dennis Siver in a Fight of the Night winner at UFC Fight Night 53.
Needless to say, there is a lot at stake for both of these prospects. But if Rosa can implement his grappling, he should make quick work of the Mexican striker.
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nate Marquardt: Nay
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Sorry to all you Kelvin Gastelum lovers out there, his return to the middleweight division will not offer satisfaction.
Now while some of this has to do with him moving back up to a heavier weight class, a lot of it has to do with him fighting Nate Marquardt.
As an aging veteran on his last legs, The Great will not be there in this fight to test Gastelum's resolve and divisional potential.
It's also plausible that KG plays it slow in a fight he desperately needs to win.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Eddie Alvarez: Yay
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Well, it looks like lightweights Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez are finally fighting.
With a past littered with a lot of bickering and a whole lot of not fighting, this is a matchup capable of capturing the masses.
Not only due to their individually clad skill sets, but also their ability to withstand damage and maintain proficiency.
Melendez is the clear favorite heading into Saturday, but Alvarez is an unknown volcano ready to blow.
Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum: Yay
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The heavyweight division is one of the worst at developing new and formidable title contenders, which is derived from its shallow roster.
So when two leviathans like Cain Velasquez and Fabirico Werdum lock horns in an epic Mexican showdown to combine UFC belts, the needle begins to dance.
With the very best conditioning in the history of heavyweights, Velasquez is going to push the Brazilian to his breaking point this Saturday at UFC 188.
It will be up to Werdum to execute his legendary grappling skills and make the champ work for every point.
For more UFC news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell.
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