The greatest featherweight in the sport’s history is headlining a card for the first time since 2017 as Jose Aldo faces Rob Font in the main event of UFC Vegas 44. Cageside Press has its picks set.
| Staff Writers | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Doherty (129-71) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Justin Gibbons (130-79) | | | |  | | |
| Alex Behunin (118-72) | | | | | |  |
| Eddie Law (68-42) |  | | | | | |
| Gabriel Gonzalez (121-88) | | | | | | |
| Mike McClory (63-50) | | | | | | |
| Jay Anderson (112-93) | | |  | | | |
| Chris Prawdzik (35-31) | | | | | | |
| Dylan Bowker (102-94) | | | | | | |
The main event of UFC Vegas 44 pits Rob Font against Jose Aldo with winning streaks on the line. Font has won his last four fights including wins over Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Moraes. Aldo is regaining his old form, taking out Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera in his last two fights. Aldo was picked by six of nine writers.
The co-main event is a great fight between the scrappy Brad Riddell and the extremely talented Rafael Fiziev. Riddell is 4-0 in the UFC with a pair of Fight of the Nights. Fiziev has won his last four after a loss in his promotional debut, earning three post-fight bonuses. Fiziev was unanimously picked.
Finishers Jamahal Hill and Jimmy Crute battle on the main card. Hill has knockouts in three of his four wins since he first came on to the UFC’s radar to earn an appearance in the Contender Series. Crute is 4-2 in the Octagon with a pair of knockouts and a pair of submissions. Hill was picked by five of nine writers.
Veterans Clay Guida and Leonardo Santos square off in Vegas. Guida’s been competitive in this stage of his career, but he only has two wins in his last six fights. Santos just suffered his first UFC loss since making his debut in 2013, ending an eight-fight unbeaten streak in the promotion. All but two writers picked Santos.
Chris Curtis steps up on short notice for a tough fight against Brendan Allen. Curtis is coming off a big knockout win against Phil Hawes just a month ago, while Allen is 5-1 in the Octagon with three finishes. Allen was unanimously picked.
Starting the main card at UFC Vegas 44 will be Alex Morono and Mickey Gall. Morono has bounced back after a loss against Anthony Pettis, winning two straight including a knockout against Donald Cerrone. Mickey Gall has alternated wins and losses in his last six, submitting Jordan Williams last time out. Morono was picked by six of nine writers.
