I think part of it too is that this card would sell like shit. Don't get me wrong, it's a great card for hardcore fans, but there's nothing that's going to pull in more casual fans. So if they had this in their mind to do something like this, makes sense to do it when the card wouldn't sell as much. Plus there is some potential for exciting fights, the Khabib connection with Islam, the Chimaev story, etc. So there are a lot of things to keep the attention of people who happen to tune in and might convert some fans.
Jan-Glover - Never ever count out Glover, but I think Jan takes this. I think at this point in his career, Glover needs some significant holes to exploit in order to win and I don't think Jan has many holes. Against someone who's bigger or faster, sure, but I don't think Glover is that guy. I think Jan will be cautious enough to avoid the takedown and will be good enough defensively if he does get taken down. On the feet, I think Jan is just too much for Glover. Jan by R3 KO.
Yan-Sandhagen - MK called this a Frankenstein title fight, which I thought was a good way to put it. I'm not complaining, though. This is a banger fighter. Whether it's for the belt, interim belt, or a #1 contender's fight, who cares? It's a great fight. The only person it sucks for is TJ since he'll have to wait for the unification fight in order to get his title fight (assuming Aljo comes back at all). He might need that time anyway, though. I'll take Yan. I think Sandhagen is a little too reckless at times and Yan is a rock. He'll wait for his moment.
Islam-Hooker - Hooker is an absolute badass, but tough fight. Expecting the Dagestani wrestlef*** to victory, but would be awesome to see Hooker pull it off.
Volkov-Tybura - Kind of a whatever fight. Top 10 HW's so I can't complain about it, but I don't think either of these guys are serious threats to win the belt. I guess I'd go with the younger, but also more experienced guy in Volkov?
Li-Chimaev - This is a tough return fight for Chimaev. It's his toughest fight in the UFC and who the hell knows how COVID and just the time off has effected him. Having said that, I don't know how good Li
really is. His wins don't really jump off the page at you besides Ponz, but that was Ponz's first fight back after a 3 year layoff where he almost died. So in that sense, it's good matchmaking. Either way, this could be spun as a big important next step type win. It's just tough to pick against Chimaev with how electric he has been, even if it was against lesser competition.
Ankalaev-Oezdemir - There should be some fireworks in this one. I think people unfairly wrote Oezdemir off after the 3 losses in a row, but since, he's beaten Latifi, Rakic, and he was having success against Jiri until he got caught. So it's a good test for Ankalaev. I like this chances to get it done, but Oezdemir is still dangerous.
Ribas-Jandiroba - Good matchmaking for Ribas, I think (hope). Jandiroba is good, but she's much more of a sub threat. She has a whopping 1 (T)KO in her career and it was due to an arm injury. Ribas should be able to work on her striking in the octagon and protect herself enough on the ground. Either dominate the striking or get a sub on someone with Jandiroba's BJJ would both be good results for her. If she loses, I don't think it's catastrophic, but even I'd admit the hype train was derailed.
I think I picked all the favorites
, but I think Glover, Sandhagen, Li, and Oezdemir are all live dogs and are all +200 or more. Jandiroba is also a live dog, but she's only around +130.
