UFC 214 is upon us, and it’s the card of the year thus far. Cageside Press has our staff picks in, so lets take a look at who we’re choosing to come out on top tonight!
Three title fights. Key match-ups in multiple weight classes. A star-studded line-up of top ranked fighters. UFC 214 is a welcome return to the sport of MMA after the spectacle of the Mayweather-McGregor press tour. While all eyes will turn to that boxing match next month, the UFC wisely caps off July with a relevant, exciting card. If you can’t get excited about UFC 214, you’re probably following the wrong sport — the card has something for everyone.
The main event is, of course, a grudge match sequel between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. Meeting for the second time, it’s Cormier who wears light heavyweight gold, but that has always come with an asterisk: did not beat Jon Jones. No, Jones beat himself outside the cage via a series of well documented foibles. Cormier filled the void left in Jones’ absence, but to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.
That’s what tonight is about for Daniel Cormier. Jon Jones, meanwhile, is seeking redemption after making a fool of himself repeatedly outside the cage. Inside the cage, he’s an artist, and he can remind the world of that Saturday night.
If UFC 214 had little more than Cormier vs. Jones 2, it would be a good card. Thanks to the inclusion of Tyron Woodley vs. Demian Maia for the welterweight title, and Cris Cyborg vs. Tonya Evinger for the vacant women’s featherweight title, it’s a great card, one that will be tough to beat for the remainder of the year.
Who have we picked to earn victories on the main card? Lets take a look.
| Staff Writer | Oezdemir vs. Manuwa | Lawler vs. Cerrone | Cyborg vs. Evinger | Woodley vs. Maia | Cormier vs. Jones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heath Harshman (39-22) |  |  |  |  |  |
| Paarth Pande (34-21) | |  | |  |  |
| Dan Doherty (36-25) | | |  | | |
| Jason Payne (20-14) | | | | | |
| Harry Davies (34-27) |  | | | | |
| Eddie Law (33-28) | | | | | |
| Mike McClory (26-25) | | | | | |
| Jay Anderson (31-30) | | | | | |
| Gabriel Gonzalez (0-0) | | | | | |
Shockingly, there’s not a clean sweep in the bunch. Not one but two fighters chose Tonya Evinger to upset the fearsome Cris Cyborg, while three see Cowboy Cerrone defeating former welterweight champ Robbie Lawler. Those were the most lopsided picks of the evening — the remaining fights have our staff pretty much split down the middle.
