UFC 194 Main Event Preview

Saturday, December 12th, 2015. Arguably the most 'stacked' main card in UFC history, just edging UFC 100, records are set to broken as three outstanding match ups are followed by two tantalizing title fights.

Main Event: Aldo vs. McGregor

Scarface. The Notorious One. A match-up which all UFC fans have been so highly anticipating since McGregor's sudden breakthrough into the sport, this fight is certainly going to bring in some 'numbers' as McGregor would say. The endless press conferences, interviews and tense social media interactions has created a hyper like no other for this fight. Could we finally see a new featherweight champion in the sport? Will the "McGregor train" come crashing down like Rousey's? Who knows. 

McGregor's kicks played a huge part in his victory at UFC 189.

For the unorthodox McGregor, confidence has been his greatest asset going into any of his fights. But everyone knows that, so let's take an in depth look at some of McGregor's effective weapons which could secure him unified gold. Distance and cage control. Conor utilizes footwork outstandingly to pressure his opponents to the cage, just look at his last fight against Mendes. A myriad of unorthodox kicks were used from the outside, so he could not be hit. Like his last fight, McGregor will have a reach advantage on his opponent. Although not as great as his advantage with Chad, he still has a 4" advantage on Jose and this potentially means his kicks from the outside could be just as deadly as they were on July 11th.

Although being smaller and having less reach than McGregor, Aldo still has a bucketful of weapons coming into this bout. One of his most effective being his impeccable muay thai, and lighting quick hands. He leads mostly with jabs and straights from the outside, setting up 1-2s to keep his opponent at a distance, but at the same time setting himself up for combinations. Jose's leaping right hand could be the perfect counter for McGregor's lunging straight left, as the lunge may shift him off balance allowing Aldo to throw the right hand.

This title fight is inevitably one you can't miss. Although he is undefeated in 10 years, it is Aldo who is the underdog coming into this fight. McGregor recently said he predicts a KO inside four minutes, and sees Jose overreacting, over-extending at every move he makes. Are we to doubt him? As he says "he hasn't been wrong yet."