Two friends face off to open the main card of UFC 205: Tate vs Pennington

To kick off the main card of Madison Square Garden’s first ever UFC event, two seasoned bantamweights will look to set an example for others to follow in what is a beyond talent-packed event. As former champ, and now #1 contender, Miesha Tate looks to eradicate what was a ‘bad day at the office’ when she lost UFC gold to Amanda Nunes at UFC 200. Number 8 ranked Raquel Pennington hopes to pounce on an opportunity which could extend her three fight winning streak and make a strong claim for a title shot.

Tate suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Amanda Nunes
back at UFC 200 in July.
Credit: The Guardian

 With so many monumental match-ups under the spotlight, it is hard to believe Miesha Tate, who (in a hectic turn of events) headlined what was dubbed to be “the biggest event in company history” back at UFC 200 in July, is fighting on UFC 205. Her bout with Raquel Pennington is the first time in almost 2 years that Tate will not be appearing in a main, or co-main event of the evening, which itself speaks leaps and bounds about the current depth of this New York card.

It’s not often a fighter who has recently lost the belt will face such a low ranked contender in their division, but it was not like Tate had defended the belt several times, it was her first defense, and she fell short. It’s similar to the Werdum v Browne 2 situation. However, I think a re-match with Cat Zingano (who lost to Juliana Pena on the same night as Tate at UFC 200) or a bout against Shevchenko who is ranked third would have made more sense. Pena is out of the question as White recently announced she has been turning down fights.

One big factor that could play into Tate’s favour (and potentially Pennington’s) is that back when she was a coach on TUF 18, she chose Pennington to be on her team. Although they were only with each other for a few months, it obviously gave both competitors a rough idea of each other’s training methods, and fight styles.

Pennington's most recent win came vs Elizabeth Phillips
at UFC 202 in August.
Credit: MMAJunkie

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Tate credited Pennington as extremely ‘durable’ and very ‘physically strong’ however she was also surprised about the match-up. Not pushing aside Pennington’s abilities, Tate was expecting a potential re-match with either Holm or Zingano, however she acknowledges the ‘great match-up’ with Pennington and was ‘honored’ to take this fight.

Standing with very similar frames, there will be no height or reach advantage for either woman in this fight. Another similarity these women share are their well-rounded fight styles, both have adapted their game to suit wherever the fight ends up, however Tate may hold a slight advantage with her extensive wrestling background. Nevertheless, it will be a fun way to fuel the first ever UFC event in NYC, and will hopefully set up for what is ‘destined’ to be another historic card.

Jon Jones Pulled from UFC 200: What Happens Now?

You know what.

Let's not even start with the pound for pound number one, because it is clear to many that not only does he not deserve that title anymore, but he doesn't deserve to be the focal point of discussion. Let's start with Daniel Cormier.

It goes without saying that there is not one male or female competitor within the UFC to this current day that can fully empathise with Cormier in this tragic moment. A feud in which DC truly, wholeheartedly believed he could lay his marker down on, is now out of the picture, and there is nothing Cormier can do about it.

Devastating is an understatement.

Back in April, Cormier was left shell-shocked that he (not Jones) was the one being booed at the UFC 200 Press Conference in Madison Square Garden. But, no-one really raised any eyebrows. We all knew the deal. Fans were sceptical about DC's belt because it was "not solidified" until he beat the champ who never lost the belt, Jones.

Fans who booed Cormier, have to now look back now in embarrassment. You boo a man who has never violated any form of drug testing, has never got himself in any trouble outside the octagon, and has never been defeated in the UFC by any man bar Jon Jones.

On the flip side of the coin, we come to the man of the hour. "Sexual Chocolate" "Bones" "JBJ" whatever you want to call him, for Jon Jones it is just another case of two steps forward, one step back.

A distraught Daniel Cormier addresses the media today
Credit: MMAFightingonSBN

Cormier had it all written out on the table. He predicted this drama would unfold yet again on countless occasions, but no-one really spared him any second look. "Mistakes, mistakes, you don't constantly make mistakes" Cormier said speaking on UFC Counterpunch last week. 

"Many times we've heard this speech. Why am I supposed to believe this guy?" Well DC, us UFC fans (at least myself for that sake) now repeat this question to ourselves when thinking about Jones. Too many times now, Jones has bit off more than he can chew. And if Jones stated that his hit-and-run incident last September left him at 'rock bottom', where he is going to be now? Bedrock? Please, spare me the excuses.

However, I'd be lying if I said my thoughts on Jones mimicked DC's. Cool calm and collected may be way to cliché, but seriously, Jones was almost in a 'state of zen' so to speak prior to this Saturday's fight. His laid back mannerisms at the press conferences won most of us over, and then boom. Just like that. It's gone, all gone.

The reason why no-one shared the same opinion as DC is because they didn't want to believe it. Why would fans want to think Jones will mess up again a few days prior to the biggest event UFC ever? Why would Dana or Lorenzo have any form of concern when everything was going smoothly and as planned? For Cormier, it was expected, but he just didn't know when it would occur.

I guess we now have our answer.