UFC 268 will of course play host to two of the most anticipated title fights and a #1 contender fight that has MMA fans salivating.
But outside of those fights we already can't wait to see, who will be able to make the biggest leaps with a big performance this Saturday?
Chito Vera
Until Chito's loss to Jose Aldo in December of 2020, I considered him to be on a 7-fight win streak culminating with the 1st Round TKO of Sean O'Malley. That win really legitimized him as one of the top prospects in the bantamweight division, and he did bounce back from the Aldo loss by avenging a 2016 loss in defeating Davey Grant.
Now he finds himself in a main card spot against a #8 ranked Frankie Edgar. A win for Chito would certainly place him into the top 10 of what has to be the deepest division in the UFC.
With a statement win on Saturday, if he's able to put Frankie away before the final bell rings I would love to see Chito v. Merab Dvalishvili for an opportunity to crack into that title picture.
Alex Pereira
Cerebral Vigilante@delisketo
GLORY champ Alex Pereira makes his UFC debut this weekend
11:03 AM - 01 Nov 2021
The scariest man you've never heard of makes his UFC debut tomorrow, and you should buy stock now. If you know, you know he was the first ever Glory Kickboxing 2-weight champion, and he's defeated Israel Adesanya twice. And if for some reason you needed more proof, refer to the tweet above.
His opponent is 1-1 in the UFC, and while I'm sure Andreas Michailidis is an excellent fighter, it appears he is but a sacrificial lamb to the predator that is "Poatan".
Pereira is likely multiple fights away from a fight that could turn him into a contender when it comes to rankings, but if there is one thing we know it's that a push from the fans can do wonders. With a highlight real KO on Saturday, Pereira could absolutely become a fan favorite and we could see him in big fights very soon.
Personally, with a couple big wins I think a great litmus test of his MMA striking skillset would be a fight against Uriah Hall.
Ian Garry
“The Future” Ian Garry@iangarrymmaMadison Square Garden… what a way to make a debut15:55 PM - 08 Sep 2021
Over the last few months we've seen more than one Cage Warriors champ make the jump into the UFC Octagon, and Ian Garry does not plan on being left out.
Making his UFC debut on Saturday, his confidence in himself is infectious and I, for one, love a fighter with authentic self confidence.
Between his skills in the octagon and on the mic, I think this could shape up to be an amazing moment for Garry. If he puts on the performance he says he's going to (and against the very game Jordan Williams), and then gets on the mic and calls out the entire welterweight division, I think we could be looking at one of the next stars of the UFC.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm late to the Cage Warriors game, so I've never seen this man fight, but I'm already a fan and I can't wait to watch tomorrow.
One more sleep ladies and gents!
Top comments (6)
Had no idea this guy has beat Israel Adesanya twice! Didn't he also KO someone in incredible style in his last outing?
Looking forward to it. Ian Garry is putting a massive amount of pressure on himself and he seems to relish in it. Did you hear about his team splitting from him just before his Cage Warriors title fight? He had no corner team at all, had to get a mate in for help.
Now that you mention it I do remember hearing about Garry's corner. But I can't wait to see Garry perform!
Neither can I, nice to see the messages from McGregor on Twitter today 🔥
Alex Pereira is one scary human being, anyone know why it has taken so long for him to get into the UFC?
I believe it's because of his reign in Glory, once he transitioned into MMA he's in the UFC after only four fights.
Ah kickboxing, thought I hadn’t heard of him - 4 fights in MMA and then in UFC, get it 👍