Photo credit: UFC
By: Chris Huntemann, Columnist
I guess it's a good thing I waited until the day of UFC 177 to put together this preview of the main card. If I wrote it earlier this week, I would have had to start all over again. It seems this fight card joins previous ones that are afflicted with terrible luck.
The news broke from multiple outlets yesterday that Renan Barao was pulled from his main event rematch with T.J. Dillashaw due to complications during his weight cut that resulted in a trip to the hospital. Into Barao's place steps Joe Soto, a former Bellator featherweight champion with a 15-2 record. Can Soto step in on short notice and shock the world, much like Dillashaw did when he upset Barao for the bantamweight title earlier this year? Read on to find out.
Yancy Medeiros vs. Damon Jackson (Lightweight- 155 lbs.)
Medeiros is coming off a loss to the always-tough Jim Miller at UFC 172 in April, while Jackson is fresh off a three-fight win streak in Legacy Fighting Championship, including a victory over Leonard Garcia. Jackson is undefeated in his MMA career, with every fight ending with a finish. I like Jackson to keep that streak intact. Winner: Damon Jackson by TKO
Ramsey Nijem vs. Carlos Ferreira (Welterweight- 170 lbs.)
I remember watching Nijem on The Ultimate Fighter and being impressed with his skill set. He's won his last two fights, including a first-round TKO in last fight. The crop of recent TUF competitors may not be as impressive as the show's early days, but I like Nijem to cast the more recent ones in a positive light on this night. Winner: Ramsey Nijem by decision
Bethe Correia vs. Shayna "The Queen of Spades" Baszler (Women's Bantamweight- 135 lbs.)
This fight has generated its own type of buzz given Correia's apparent "feud" with "The Four Horsewomen," (a name I'm not a fan of, but that's another discussion for another time) of which Baszler is a member, as is UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Correia defeated another Horsewomen member, Jessamyn Duke, earlier this year and seems to be playing the Sting to Rousey's Ric Flair. But first Correia will have to get through who I suppose is the Horsewomen's version of "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson in Baszler. I think Correia will do just that. I wasn't very impressed with Baszler's performance on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter that featured women. I think Correia continues her quest to a title shot. Winner: Bethe Correia by decision
Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson vs. Danny "Last Call" Castillo (Lightweight- 155 lbs.)
Ferguson has been on a tear in the UFC since winning The Ultimate Fighter in 2010, losing only once. Castillo has won three of his last four fights, with the lone loss coming to the human highlight reel known as Edson Barboza. Team Alpha Male has experienced a rebirth under Duane Ludwig, but I like Ferguson to continue his ascent up the lightweight ladder Winner: Tony Ferguson by TKO
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Joe Soto (UFC bantamweight title - 135 lbs.)
Dillashaw shocked the world earlier this year when he utterly dominated Barao and took the belt. Since then he seems to have developed a nice little chip on his shoulder, and I'm sure Barao pulling out of their rematch a day in advance is just making that chip grow bigger. I'm sure Soto is as game as they come, but Dillashaw seems to be on a mission to prove he is not a fluke. Winner: T.J. Dillashaw by TKO
UFC 177 has suffered through one stroke of bad luck after another. Some fans on Twitter even posted a photo of the Titanic sinking (from the movie), suggesting it is actually the new UFC 1777 fight poster. Can these relatively unheralded competitors deliver unforgettable performances to prove the naysayers wrong? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure: procrastinating can actually be worthwhile in cases like this.
Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also contributes his thoughts to our site on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.
