The Ultimate Fighting Championship will return to our screens this weekend with the exciting UFC Prague card.
While this event in Prague, Czech Republic may not have any marquee names like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, there are plenty of fun and interesting fights scattered throughout the evening’s 13-fight line up.
The main card will boast six fights in total and it will be headlined by a title eliminator of sorts when Poland’s Jan Blachowicz faces Brazil’s Thiago Santos.
Here are some of the many reasons to watch the card:
Damir Ismagulov vs. Joel Alvarez
This super intriguing lightweight bout will open up the evening in Prague.
Ismagulov (17-1) will return to the Octagon for his second performance after making a successful debut last December. Alvarez (15-1), will make his first walk to the Octagon on Saturday night, and the 25-year-old Spaniard plans on bringing the heat.
Although this fight is the first of thirteen on the night, it could easily take home Fight Of The Night honors.
Petr Yan
If you’re not on board the Petr Yan hype train yet, now would be a good time to board.
The 26-year-old Russian could very well be the future of the bantamweight division. Boasting an 11-1 record, “No Mercy” has not lost since dropping a close split decision to Magomed Magomedov at Absolute Championship Berkut 32 back in March of 2016.
Yan will look to continue his ascent toward the division’s elite as he faces his toughest test to date in John Dodson on the main card.
“The Skyscraper” Stefan Struve
There was a time when Stefan Struve was quite close to a heavyweight title shot. Today, however, he is in a much less advantageous position.
It’s hard to believe that Struve is only 31-years-old. He has been fighting for the promotion since 2009 when he was just 21 years of age. That being said, “The Skyscraper” has lost three straight and four of his last six fights altogether.
Needless to say Struve is looking at a must-win scenario in Prague.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Thiago Santos
Sometimes there’s just no way around it; the main event is simply the reason to tune in.
Blachowicz, 35, is on an absolute terror, recently ripping off four straight wins against the 205-pound elite. Moreover, a win could net this Polish fighter a title shot in 2019.
As for Santos, 35, he too is on a nice winning streak, racking up three straight wins and seven of his last eight. The Brazilian knock out artist is incapable of having a boring fight.
Will you be watching UFC Prague on Saturday?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 2/21/19.