The aftermath of the McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov bout in Las Vegas is still dominating the headlines, both in UFC and the broader sports publications. But as the dust gradually settles and the two biggest names remain with indefinite suspensions as they await their disciplinary hearing, attention is gradually shifting back to the action inside the octagon.
Specifically, UFC 231 is getting ever closer. The event takes place on December 8 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. While the title fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega will, itself, be worth the cost of admittance, there are some intriguing matchups being added to the undercard too. Canadian UFC fans are set for a treat that will make McGregor and Nurmagomedov yesterday's news.
Nelson returns after 17 month absence
Iceland's Gunnar Nelson last graced the octagon with his presence at UFC Fight Night 113 in Glasgow, when fans were shocked to see him knocked out against the odds in the first round by Santiago Ponzinibbio with a single straight right. He was due to make his comeback at UFC Fight Night 130 in Liverpool back in May, but damage to his right knee meant that UFC's growing international fanbase has been forced to wait a further seven months.
Nelson will take on Brazilian Alex "Cowboy" Oliviera. The 30-year-old is ranked #14 in the official UFC welterweight rankings, one place behind Nelson. However, he will go into the bout full of confidence, having enjoyed back-to-back wins against first Carlos Condit and then Carlo Pedersoli Jr so far this year. The latter was a blink-and-you-miss-it affair that was all over in just 39 seconds.
Holloway and Ortega finally face off
It was the greatest fight you never saw in your life. The much-hyped showdown between reigning featherweight champion Max Holloway and Brian Ortega at UFC 226 in Vegas earlier this year was cancelled when Holloway had to pull out with health problems. He has since been through a barrage of health tests, and has been passed fit to take on Ortega's challenge in Toronto.
Holloway was last seen in action at UFC 218 last year, with a workmanlike performance that was enough to see off the challenge of former champion Jose Aldo with a technical knockout in the third round. Ortega, meanwhile, is riding the crest of a wave and will feel that the title is there for the taking. The 27 year old from San Pedro, California, is undefeated in 15 UFC fights, and is desperate to make the belt his own.
Shevchenko and Jedrzejczyk renew old hostilities
Holloway and Ortega will share top billing with a battle for the vacant women's flyweight belt between Valentina Shevchenko and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The matchup comes following controversy over the UFC 230 fight card. Shevchenko was originally scheduled to take on Sijara Eubanks at Madison Square Gardens on November 3, a matchup that was criticised by both fighters and fans as being a less-than-impressive headliner for the event. The late switch to headline Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis in New York has led to a change of schedule, and now Shevchenko will face Jedrzejczyk in Toronto.
The pair have met three times in kickboxing, with Shevchenko coming out the victor on each occasion. She told reporters that she was just glad to finally get a shot at a belt – the #1 ranked flyweight fighter had been scheduled to take on inaugural flyweight champion Nicco Montano at UFC 228, but Montano was forced to withdraw at the eleventh hour due to failing to meet the weight cut. That led to her being stripped of the belt, which Shevchenko is so desperate to claim.
The rest of the undercard
The above are the three bouts that are attracting all the media attention, but there are a total of 14 fights on the card for UFC 231. The full schedule looks like this:
Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Alex Oliveira vs. Gunnar Nelson
Jimi Manuwa vs. Thiago Santos
Claudia Gadelha vs. Nina Ansaroff
Eryk Anders vs. Elias Theodorou
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Gilbert Burns
Brad Katona vs. Matthew Lopez
Chad Laprise vs. Dhiego Lima
John Makdessi vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Kyle Bochniak
Devin Clark vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jessica Eye
Renato Moicano vs. Mirsad Bektic
UFC 231 is set to be one of the showpiece events of the year, and proves that there is more to MMA than Conor McGregor and his never-ending controversies. That has to be good news for the fans and the sport as a whole.
