The UFC retains its last event of 2017 when it sets up the Octagon for UFC 219 in vegas on December 30. The main event will see the dominant Cristiane”Cyborg” Justino put her UFC featherweight title at stake against Holly Holm.
There is plenty to appreciate beyond the leading Principal event with the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Edson Barboza, Carlos Condit and Marc Diakiese on the card.
Cyborg vs Holly Holm
We watch Cyborg (-360) since she has made a profession from destroying her opponents. Cyborg has ever been among the most competitive fighters in the industry however, the former Invicta featherweight champion has learned to exploit that thanks to her time with Rafael Cordeiro. The real meat to her game is the jab, as Cyborg will relentlessly throw the jab out before a competitor feels the necessity to fire back — then she will counter with quick, fight-ending intentions.
Cyborg is a huge fighter that owns huge strength for demanding clinch conflicts — though she’s also technically well served in this region as well. Her natural balance and core strength make takedown attempts typically ineffective.
Holly Holm (+270) is at her best when she can dictate the space and pace of the struggle. The former professional fighter is excellent at picking away at her opponent from a distance as a result of her clean, smooth footwork. At this period,”The Preacher’s Daughter” will throw a continuous diet of lefts and then await her opportunity to counter. Although boxing was her first game, Holm has done a great job adding kicks to her repertoire with the infamous Jackson-Wink oblique kick playing an integral part. When a fight becomes dirty or she attempts to move forward, the former bantamweight champion is much more hittable.
Concerning grappling, Holm is solid from the clinch and possesses great takedown defense. But if an opponent can get Holm into the mat, she does not offer much.
Holm is the stiffest challenge Cyborg has confronted since Gina Carano eight years ago. Holm has the ability to potentially frustrate Cyborg together with her movement and distance control. Eventually, Cyborg’s aggressive style will neutralize these benefits.
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