2017, as a whole, has been fairly disappointing for the company. The majority of their big draws have either been out of action or got themselves into trouble, meanwhile Conor McGregor has been more interested in pursuing a boxing career as opposed to defending his Lightweight Championship.
But with just a few months left until the ball drops and we enter 2018, there’s certainly cause for optimism. One of the main reasons behind that thought process is the ever improving card for UFC 218 in Detroit, Michigan – which is ironic given that few people were anticipating a barn stormer of an event from the Motor City.
With just under two months remaining until the premier MMA promotion in the world invades Michigan, we have two confirmed matches in addition to one suspected bout. The main event is scheduled to be Max Holloway defending his undisputed Featherweight Championship against Frankie Edgar, which will almost definitely be worth the price of admission alone.
Then, in what will likely be the co-main event, Alistair Overeem and Francis Ngannou will square off in a heavyweight clash that will surely lead to the UFC reinforcing the octagon. The two men will be facing off in what could prove to be a number one contender’s fight, as Stipe Miocic waits in the wings for his next challenge.
If that wasn’t enough, lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez are also rumoured to throw down in Detroit on December 2nd. The two men recently coached opposite one another in the newest season of The Ultimate Fighter, with their two careers currently in two very different places.
Whilst Gaethje is still trying to make a name for herself, Alvarez is attempting to prove that he can still be a player at the top of this division as he continues to recover from his devastating loss at the hands of Conor McGregor in New York City.
In terms of unpredictability you aren’t going to get closer to the definition of the word than this, as all six men involved in the big contests on the card have a chance of walking away with the victory.
With long standing repercussions in all three divisions, you could argue that the entire landscape of the Ultimate Fighting Championship could change at the Little Caesars Arena.
