Just when you thought the UFC had hit the ceiling for outstanding fights in 2021, Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez collectively said, “Hold my beer,” and served up yet another Fight of the Year contender.
Former featherweight champion Holloway and high-flying contender Rodriguez – who was returning from a two-year layoff – delivered a five-round firecracker of a main event at UFC Fight Night 197 at the UFC Apex as they rounded off yet another outstanding fight card at the UFC Apex.
Holloway’s win all but guarantees either a huge trilogy bout with reigning champ Alexander Volkanovski, or a massive payday (most likely at 155 pounds) against former foe Conor McGregor. As options go, Max appears to be sitting pretty.
As for Rodriguez, his remarkable performance on his return has left fans salivating at the prospect of his next octagon appearance, and we have a dynamite matchup in mind for his first bout of 2022.
As well as recapping the events in Vegas at the weekend, we also look back at Cris Cyborg’s first-round demolition job at Bellator 271 and ponder the possibilities after Kayla Harrison was shown cageside – and directly discussed in Cyborg’s post-fight interview – in Florida.
We look at the fallout following the collapse of the eagerly anticipated Leon Edwards-Jorge Masvidal bout at UFC 269 and offer the best next steps for both men.
And we also take a look ahead to the main event of UFC Fight Night 198, as former women’s bantamweight champ Miesha Tate takes on Ketlen Vieira in the main event at the UFC Apex in a fight that could have massive implications for her career.
Enjoy the show!
UFC Fight Night 197: Holloway takes it to the Max in Vegas