UFC 211 is a heavily stacked card coming to fans weeks after having no events for the promotion. Two title fights, many contenders from various divisions and some noteworthy debuts are on the prelims. UFC 211 is what fans expect on a pay-per-view card and it could be anyone’s night.
Having said that, Frontproof Media will attempt to look at the main card and give some forethought on how they could turn out.
Stipe Miocic (16–2) vs. Junior Dos Santos (18–4)
This is the second time these two heavy hitters are going at it. The first time was a fight of the night candidate and went to the judges in favor of Dos Santos at UFC on Fox 13, three years ago. Since Miocic has won the title in their division and defended it. Dos Santos has fought hard battles and won, but he’s been injured too. Dos Santos over the years has taken more of beating and it may affect this second fight. Miocic can likely win by decision or KO/TKO at UFC 211.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (15–0) vs. Jessica Andrade (16–5)
Jedrzejczyk has dominated the strawweight division and by her own admission the fights are getting tougher, but so is she. Andrade has a lot of wins y submission but we do not know if that is a factor against someone like Jedrzejczyk who has gone the distance twice and won against Claudia Gadhella. It seems Andrade has a strength and size advantage over the current champ but Jedrzejczyk striking might keep the belt on her waist. Jedrzejczyk by decision.
Demian Maia (24–6) vs. Jorge Masvidal (32–11)
This fight is probably the best match-up on the card because it’s hard to predict. The KO power of Masvidal versus the smothering pressure of submission specialist in Maia could see the fight end early, or go the distance. Every fighter has a punchers chance, and Masvidal has finished his last two opponents, he could finish Maia if he comes at him with the pace he finished Cerrone. However, of his 11 losses two are by submission and both were from chokes, Maia’s specialty. Could go either way.
Frankie Edgar (21–5) vs. Yair Rodriguez (10–1)
Yair Rodrguez is a great fighter to watch and his “buzz saw” style of striking has earned him so KO/TKO victories and many decisions. But that attack style has never worked well against the likes of Frankie Edgar, who can grind out the most athletic fighters in any division he fights in. Most of Rodriguez’s wins are by decision but so are Edgar’s and he has a good chance of derailing the Rodriguez hype train. Edgar by decision.
David Branch (20–3) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (19–1)
Former two-division WSOF champ David Branch is making his UFC return on the UFC 211 pay-per-view against Krzysztof Jotko. Branch has been dominating two divisions for a while in his time at WSOF, most recently winning on their New Year’s Eve event before coming back to the UFC. The younger Jotko best not take Branch lightly, especially since his only loss comes by way of submission. Branch knows a thing or two about finishing opponents in more ways than one and he likely will pull off a decision or submission win here.
There has been a lot of criticism over the UFC’s recent pay-per-views but this one is indeed exempt when you look at the full line-up. One wonders why this is not the card for July’s International Fight Week event but you never what the future holds. Either way, if there were ever a card you do not want to miss, it’s UFC 211.
Main Card (Pay-per-view 10 p.m. ET)
Stipe Miocic vs. Junior Dos Santos
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Jessica Andrade
Demian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal
Frankie Edgar vs. Yair Rodriguez
David Branch vs. Krzysztof Jotko
Preliminary Card (FX 8 p.m. ET)
Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier
Jason Knight vs. Chas Skelly
Marco Polo Reyes vs. James Vick
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass 6 p.m. ET)
Jessica Aguilar vs. Cortney Casey
Enrique Barzola vs. Gabriel Benitez
Rashad Coulter vs. Chase Sherman
Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs. Joachim Christensen
Edward Carbajal is a contributing writer for MMA at Frontproof Media and a Verified Creator at Creators.co. You can follow Edward on Twitter @Carbazel or at his website TheBlogBoardJungle.com. Check out his YouTube channel.
Originally published on FrontproofMedia
