UFC 249 is a card filled with promising action, where any fight could win Fight of the Night.
It’s finally here. The UFC is back. After weeks of uncertainty, cancellations and a world wide pandemic going on, whether you like it or not the UFC is back. Dana White vowed to be the leader in bringing live sports back to the fans and this Saturday it begins with a stacked card. It seems the UFC is taking extreme (and much necessary) precautions with everything leading into Saturday night. Fighters, staff and the few media members allowed to attend all have been tested for COVID-19, and temperature checked numerous times this week. For the fans, whether you believe this is right or not, this monster card is predicted to do some monster numbers. So lets look at our bonus winners.
Performance of the night (POTN):
There are some crazy-talented fighters on this card. Look at the undercard: Cowboy Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis would be a Fight Night headliner in normal times, but these aren’t normal times. I firmly believe this will be one of those nights where a fighter earlier in the night has all but locked up POTN with a masterful performance, then the main event happens. Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Geathje, these men would do anything to have their hands raised in the octagon. We have seen Geathje time after time look finished, as if he was on zombie legs, then turn around and finish his opponent. We have seen Tony Ferguson get clipped and caught only to continue moving forward giving his opponent no space or time for recovery. To beat one of these men you need a masterful performance. It’s a safe bet that one POTN goes to the main event winner.
Performance of the night (POTN) Take Two:
While there’s no longer an official “Submission of the Night,” immediately my eyes turn to Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa. Mitchell is coming off of the infamous twister submission victory back in December. Rosa returned to the cage for the first time since 2017 at UFC Boston, where he submitted former UFC submission specialist Manny Bermudez as the underdog. Rosa has 8 submission wins on his record, Mitchell has 9 on his resume. Not to mention that the featherweight division currently has many contenders but no one decisively sits in the top on deck spot (after Max Holloway). A win here could skyrocket either man to a top 8 position in the division. Winner gets the other Performance of the Night, via submission.
Fight of the night (FOTN):
As with all bonuses, anyone can win. In many cases fight fans use the phrase “any fight could be FOTN” but in this case it is legitimately true. It is tough to pick just one here. Obviously the top dog in the fight would be Ferguson vs. Geathje, two of the best in the world at 155 going at it. That being said, there are a few others on my radar. A favorite of mine is Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar. Stephens missed weight by over 4 pounds, so I give an advantage to Stephens (I had Kattar with both on weight) but this is still on my radar. Though “Lil Heathen” will not be eligible for a bonus should they earn it. Niko Price vs. Vicente Luque is another candidate. Luque is 6-1 in his last 7, 5 of those are finishes. Price, as we have seen can land a KO pretty much anywhere, even in spots that don’t even make a lick of sense. Donald Cerrone is on a mission to prove he can still compete at the top of the world after the McGregor fiasco, against a former champion who beat him 2013. My official pick: no idea, but I can’t wait to find out.
