We often hear fighters say that it’s the punch you don’t see coming that knocks you out. It makes sense. Fighters train for months ahead of a bout to tune up their skills and prepare for their opponent’s tendencies. So when something unexpected comes flying in, it can be a stunner.
Fans experience a pain-free equivalent of that on fight nights, whenever expectations are upended. Fights guaranteed to be slugfests play out as Viennese waltzes. Unsung early prelims steal the spotlight. Moments that knock us out, metaphorically speaking, can come anytime in the evening, not just when the headliners take the stage.
So, what are we in for on Saturday? The marquee for UFC 275 (Saturday, 10 p.m. on ESPN+ PPV) features two title fights. One pits a solid, resilient champion against a creative force on an irresistable rise, and the other showcases perhaps the most dominant champ in mixed martial arts. And just before those showstoppers for gold is a highly anticipated rematch of the 2020 fight of the year.
Beyond that? There aren’t a lot of recognizable names in the rest of the lineup for Saturday in Singapore, making it tempting to belittle this as a three-card card. But the savvy among us know better. You can never discount the possibility that a pair of “who are they?” fighters will be the ones providing the weekend’s viral KO or breathtaking throwdown.
Here’s a ranking of the top fights at UFC 275, from the obvious to the obscure.
Three must-see fights that you’re unlikely to miss
1. Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
Teixeira is 42 years old, and last October he became the UFC’s oldest first-time champion. It happened for him on his second try, eight years and 15 fights after the first time he went for light heavyweight gold. In 2014, Teixeira carried a 20-fight winning streak into his big shot, but Jon Jones outclassed him. Sitting cageside in Baltimore that night, I remember thinking Teixeira had reached his ceiling. He was a tough guy who, it…
Source : espn
