UFC 186 Preview: World Title Fight, Top 5 Women's Fight, Rampage Jackson, Michael Bisping In Action
To say that the lead up to UFC 186 has been a roller coaster ride would be a monumental understatement. The original main event of TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao was delayed yet again. Rory MacDonald vs. Hector Lombard was scrapped when Lombard failed a drug test. At one point, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was pulled from the show due to a court injunction from Bellator, which was later overturned.
While headliner Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson doesn't seem to appeal to casual fans due to his size, there's no denying his ability. The 125-pound champion has dominated his division, defeating the top four ranked fighters. Despite this, Johnson has struggled to gain the interest of casual fans. No matter what you think folks, I promise you can't beat up Demetrious Johnson.
Kyoji Horiguchi is a Japanese sensation, but he's not ready and he knows it. He stated publicly that he wished to fight a couple more times before facing Johnson. Unfortunately for him, John Lineker failed to make weight (again) and knocked off Ian McCall, leaving the UFC without a top flyweight contender. Make no mistake, Horiguchi is fantastic, but he's not at the level of Mighty Mouse Johnson– yet.
The rest of the card is underwhelming on the surface, but still features a share of intriguing fights and fighters. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is back in the UFC after winning three straight in Bellator MMA, taking on top-15 light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado. Perennial top-10 middleweight Michael Bisping is also in action against CB Dolloway. Also, the 18-0 Thomas Almeida will be looking to extend his unbeaten record against Yves Jabouin, in what looks to be a big test for the prospect Almeida.
If you're in to free MMA, you have a couple of good fights at your disposal as well. Former Middleweight title contender Patrick Cote, who has won three of his last four UFC fights, takes on the re-emerging Joe "Diesel" Riggs. Riggs sustained a neck injury in his first UFC fight in 8 years, but was fresh off of winning Bellator's Fight Master reality show. He looks to re-establish his name in the company.
In another bout on Fox Sports 1, former Ronda Rousey victims clash, as #3 Alexis Davis faces #5 Sarah Kaufman. Why the UFC didn't opt to put a top-5 fight on the pay-per-view broadcast is anyone's guess, but the two look to inch back towards another crack at Ronda Rousey. The UFC Fight Pass show also has a top-10 women's strawweight bout between Randa Markos and Aisling Daly.
Of course Wrestling Inc will have full, live coverage of the show, starting with quick prelim results, culminating with full round-by-round coverage of the PPV. Be sure to come by for our viewing party, and score the fights with us.