The world leader in mixed martial arts (MMA) heads back to where it all started for UFC 237. The Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will serve as the backdrop.
Let’s take a look at some more reasons to watch UFC 237.
Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo will take on the slightly younger but extremely hungry Alexander Volkanovski in a featured featherweight bout on Saturday night. Anytime “Junior” fights in his native Brazil he shows out. I expect this fight to be no different.
With reports circulating that Aldo may not return to competition until 2021 after this weekend you better watch this legend fight when you can.
Raoni Barcelos
Raoni Barcelos will throw down with Carlos Huachin Quiroz at UFC 237. Barcelos is riding a super impressive six-fight winning streak that dates back to 2016.
Although the Rio de Janeiro local is more than competent on the ground, he has developed an all-action fan-friendly striking style that has earned him seven wins via knock out.
Sporting a record of 13-1, Barcelos is hoping that a win this weekend lands him in the bantamweight top 15.
Jared Cannonier vs. Anderson Silva
UFC 237’s co-main event will answer one of two questions. Either Jared the “Killa Gorilla” Cannonier will take a step closer to becoming a legitimate middleweight treat, or Anderson “The Spider” Silva will notch his first win in over two years.
Cannonier bounced back from back to back losses by knocking out David Branch at UFC 230. Currently ranked No. 10, a win over Silva doesn’t so much help his case in the rankings as it is a bragging right.
As for Silva. The middleweight GOAT has lost six of his last seven fights with his lone win coming at UFC 208 against Derek Brunson in a closely disputed decision. If this is Silva’s last UFC fight, should he get a win, the setting could not be better for him to walk off into the sunset.
Rose Namajunas Is On The Verge Of Super Stardom
Currently the youngest reigning UFC champion, Rose Namajunas, 26, will go to Brazil and defend her strawweight title against Jessica Andrade, a Brazilian. The only other women’s champion to even attempt that was Ronda Rousey at UFC 190 against Bethe Correia. (who strangely enough is fighting this weekend at UFC 237)
If Namajunas is able to defend her title against the No. 1 Andrade it will be quite the feather in the cap of the young champion. “Thug Rose” has looked near unbeatable as of late winning three straight and six of her last seven.
UFC 237 is must see and now you have some more reasons to tune in.
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 5/10/2019.