The 20th anniversary of the UFC has fans celebrating the history of the sport, and Saturday’s UFC 167 pay-per-view will be the perfect culmination of the festivities.
There are a plethora of huge names like Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks, Rashad Evans and Chael Sonnen adorning the top of the fight card, but there are several unheralded bouts that are not getting the fanfare they deserve.
Here is all the vital viewing information for Saturday’s event and the underrated fights fans can’t afford to miss.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.
When: Saturday, November 16 at 10 p.m. ET
Watch: Pay-per-view (call local service provider)
Live Stream: UFC TV
Rory MacDonald (15-1-0) vs. Robbie Lawler (21-9-0, 1 NC)
Ruthless Robbie Lawler has over 12 years of tenure in MMA, and he will need every ounce of that experience squaring off against a brawler as talented as Rory MacDonald and his five-fight winning streak.
Lawler has amassed two straight KO victories heading into Saturday’s bout, and he has proven to be a heavy-handed striker.
While Lawler deserves credit for a long career, he has lost five of his last 10 fights and has struggled to win the bouts that go the distance. Add in his inability to counter submission attempts with any effectiveness, and it is clear MacDonald will have ample opportunities to steal the show.
Saturday will be MacDonald’s biggest statement to date.
MacDonald has strung together several huge wins, including decisive victories over B.J. Penn, Nate Diaz and Mike Pyle, and his ability to match Lawler’s striking power will be the difference in this fight.
When Lawler feels the strikes of MacDonald, he will revert into a defensive game plan. That approach will leave openings for the always dangerous MacDonald to land another KO punch or even a submission. Either way, MacDonald will end this fight early.
Predicted Winner: MacDonald via second-round TKO.
Josh Koscheck (19-7-0) vs. Tyron Woodley (11-2-0)
Despite having a mediocre record in the UFC, Josh Koscheck has become a name most casual MMA fans have come to know because of his flamboyant style and mannerisms. As interesting as Koscheck may be in and out of the Octagon, Saturday’s PPV will be challenger Tyron Woodley's big break.
Woodley is coming off a heartbreaking split-decision loss to Jake Shields and will be looking for redemption against a well-known star. The former Strikeforce championship contender has proven to be well versed in submissions, but it will be his striking accuracy that brings Woodley a marquee victory.
Koscheck has been defeated in three of his last five fights and has gone the distance in two of those three losses. His inability to find any rhythm should be the window of opportunity Woodley needs to shine.
It is fun to watch Koscheck in the ring, and it will be even more enjoyable watching Woodley evolve into a legitimate welterweight contender by taking down one of the original Ultimate Fighter contestants.
Predicted Winner: Woodley via unanimous decision.
Donald Cerrone (20-6-0, 1 NC) vs. Evan Dunham (14-4-0)
One of the most underrated bouts of the night won’t even take place on the PPV card. When Donald Cerrone and Evan Dunham square off on Fox Sports 1 as the last fight on the preliminary card, the fireworks in the Octagon will be unmatched.
With two of the best strikers in the lightweight division going head-to-head, this bout has all the earmarks of a brawl that could steal the show.
The duo has won 11 combined Fight of the Night awards.
Dunham was defeated by Rafael dos Anjos in May, won a controversial split decision over Gleison Tibau and lost via unanimous decision to T.J. Grant in his last three fights, respectively. Those results have raised serious questions about his inability to end fights early.
There is no question that Cerrone can end a battle with one punch or a submission, though.
Cerrone is also coming off a loss to Anjos and will be looking to get his career trajectory back on track. His grappling skills have resulted in 13 victories by submission over his career, but Dunham has never lost via tapping out.
Despite Dunham’s track record against submission specialists, Cerrone is too talented in the Octagon to sustain another loss.
Predicted Winner: Cerrone via third-round submission.
Follow @Donald_Wood