It’s the UFC’s maiden trip to Paris, and who better than to headline the card than France’s own Ciryl Gane. Looking for another title shot, the former interim champion will first have to get past Aussie knockout artist Tai Tuivasa.
Marvin Vettori is angling for another shot at the Middleweight king, Isreal Adesanya. One man that can halt that is a former champion, Robert Whittaker.
The card also features several top European fighters looking to make their mark in the world’s premier MMA promotion.
UFC Fight Night: Gane vs Tuivasa
Ciryl ‘Bon Gamin’ Gane vs Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa
One man has tasted gold; the other would love to have Dana White wrap the title around his waste. The winner of this will be one step closer to that dream, and the other will have to claw their way back once again.
Both men are stand-up fighters. Gane is the more technical striker, coming from a Muay Thai background. But he is no slouch on the ground either; he has a few submission wins; in his first MMA fight, he won by guillotine choke.
Tuivasa is a brawler from Western Sydney; he loves to stand and bang. Getting down and dirty in the Octagon. ‘Bam Bam’ had a great start to his UFC career, winning his first three fights. He then went on a three-fight skid, losing to some tough competition. Being the warrior that he is, Tuivasa pressed on and won his last five fights.
Both fighters should bring the fireworks to Paris. Neither one takes a backwards step so that the crowd will be entertained.
Betting Odds on Neds: Cyryl Gane $1.18 Tai Tuivasa $5.00
Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker vs Marvin ‘The Italian Dream’ Vettori
Even though Whittaker is considering a move to Light Heavyweight, a win here is still important. It will solidify his place amongst the greats of the Middleweight division, but there is only so long you can wait for the champion to lose so you can go for the title again.
There is no doubt that Vettori wants another shot at the title. ‘The Italian Dream’ was sure that he beat Adesanya in the title fight. Unfortunately for Vettori, he will have to wait for ‘The Last Stylebender’ to lose; he won’t get a third fight already, having failed to beat the champion twice.
This should be a cracking fight. However, it is hard to see it as anything other than a victory for Whittaker.
Betting Odds on Neds: Robert Whittaker $1.45 Marvin Vettori $2.80
Alessio ‘Manzo’ Di Chirico vs Roman Koplov
The best thing about these European cards is seeing the continent’s best talent. UFC fans will be no strangers to the man known as ‘Manzo,’ he has had 10 fights for the promotion, with mixed results.
His opponent, Kopylov, was an undefeated prospect coming into the UFC. Sadly, the Russian lost both fights in the Octagon. Could this be his night? It will have to be if he is to keep his job.
Betting Odds on Neds: Alessio Di Chirico $1.94 Roman Kopylov $1.87
John ‘The Bull’ Makdessi vs Nasrat Haqparast
It has been over a year since Makdessi set foot inside the Octagon. Will ‘The Bull’ Show signs of ring rust? If you look at his record, he has only been fighting once a year, so probably not, considering he won four out of five fights.
Haqparast has not been fighting in the UFC as long as his opponent, but he is no newcomer to the Octagon. The Morrocan has lost his last two; losing one more will put him into ‘getting cut’ territory.
Betting Odds on Neds: John Makdessi $2.90 Nasrat Haqparast $1.42
William ‘Jaguar’ Gomis vs Jarno Errans
These two Featherweight fighters are making their UFC debuts. Gomis is the lucky fighter that will have the home ground advantage. The Frenchman has won eight fights in a row, and winning the ninth in the biggest promotion in the world would be pretty awesome.
Jarno Errens is no slouch, though. He has 13 wins in a 17-fight career, and he has a good mix of wins by decision (5), KO/TKO’s (3) and submissions (5). To make his mark, a win by KO/TKO or submission may be an excellent way to impress Dana White.
Betting Odds on Neds: William Gomis $1.44 Jarno Errens $2.85
Charles ‘Air’ Jourdain vs Nathaniel ‘The Prospect’ Wood
The man known as ‘Air’ Jourdain is ready to take flight and get the win in France. It won’t be easy; he is taking on on a tough fighter in Nathaniel Wood. Jourdain is coming off a split decision loss to Shane Burgos; even though it was an exciting fight, a win here will help get him back on track.
After a tough loss, Wood was able to pick up a win at the last UFC London card. Wood has only lost two fights in the UFC; winning this fight will help him climb the Featherweight ladder.
Betting Odds on Neds: Charles Jourdain $1.67 Nathaniel Wood $2.20
Enjoy the fights!
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