Edgar to provide the Answer?
Inside the Sajik Arena, Chan Sung Jung – more familiarly known as “The Korean Zombie” – competes in the night’s headline bout as one of several South Koreans on display in front of their home crowd. The 32-year-old featherweight faces Frankie “The Answer” Edgar who lives up to his nickname by stepping into the Octagon® at short notice after Brian Ortega pulled out with injury. Edgar’s only defeat of this year came in a title showdown with Max Holloway, losing in a five-round decision. The crafty veteran will be relying on his fast footwork and movement to avoid any of his opponent’s notorious heavy strikes.
As the year’s final headline bout of 2019, both mixed martial artists will be determined to grab the headlines and finish their year in style. The Korean Zombie is 2-1 since returning to the Octagon in 2017 after serving in the military service, which took him out of action for four years. That form card would read 3-0 had it not been for a last-second elbow knockout loss to Yair Rodriguez last November. The daunting task facing Edgar will be getting Jung – with the home crowd behind him – down to the floor, something that has only ever happened once in seven UFC® fights.
Battle of the Alps
In a central European derby of sorts, Austria’s Aleksandar Rakic squares up with Switzerland’s Volkan Oezdemir in a light heavyweight bout that promises entertainment. 30-year-old Volkan also known as “No Time” has fought against some of the division’s very best in recent years and is the more experienced of the pair. However, what the 27-year-old Rakic might lack in experience, the Austrian undoubtedly makes up for in stature. Standing at a giant 6’5” and weighing at 205lbs, Rakic possesses significant size and power advantages and his four-fight-win streak since joining the UFC has put him firmly in title fight conversations.
Swiss veteran Volkan Oezdemir has plenty in his armoury to stir Rakic, he also previously competed as a professional kickboxer and has a wealth of experience in the Octagon. “No Time” will be determined to build on his momentum gathered after defeating Sweden’s Ilir Latifi in August. The impressive 2nd round KO earnt Volkan Performance of the Night, truly announcing the Fribourg man’s return to form after three straight losses beforehand. This time around, Volkan comes up against a fighter also known for his impressive striking ability and currently enjoying consecutive knockout victories on the bounce. With these two athletes both bringing resilience and powerhouse of skills, this is set to be an interesting bout this weekend.
Amanda vs Miranda
In an intriguing strawweight bout, Brazil’s Amanda “Amandinha” Lemos faces up to USA’s Miranda “Danger” Granger, with both mixed martial artists looking to lay down a firm UFC marker ahead of the new year. Both fighters enter the Octagon for just the second ever occasion, with contrasting fortunes in their opening bouts.
The 32-year-old Brazilian, Lemos last fought in the Octagon back in 2017, coming out second best against American Leslie Smith with a TKO defeat. Standing in her way of a maiden UFC victory, 27-year-old Grainger aims for her second straight win after her successful UFC debut bout back in August against fellow American Hannah Goldy.
Heavyweight rising talent
French rising talent, Ciryl Gane takes on Tanner Boser in his third bout of the year. Gane only made his UFC debut in August this year and has already obtained submission wins from both of his contests. The Frenchman will be looking to continue his winning streak and rise in the heavyweight division. Canadian Boser has also newly made his UFC debut against Daniel Spitz and achieved a hand raise via unanimous decision. With both athletes eager to prove themselves in the heavyweight division, stay tuned to see how this bout turns out.
There’s a new Nurmagomedov on the scene
Russia’s Said Nurmagomedov makes his UFC debut this Saturday when he faces Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos. All eyes will be watching as Said makes his walk to the Octagon for the first time. Holding the Nurmagomedov name, he is sure to have a large fan base supporting from around the world and eager to witness what is install for this exciting bantamweight match up.
Main Card
Frankie “The Answer” Edgar vs. Chan Sung “The Korean Zombie” Jung
Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Dooho “The Korean Superboy” Choi vs Charles “Air” Jourdain
Da Un Jung vs. Mike “Slow” Rodriguez
Jun Yong “The Iron Turtle” Park vs. Marc-Andre “Power Bar” Barriault
Kyung Ho “Mr Perfect” Kang vs. Liu Pingyuan
Prelims
Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane vs. Tanner “The Bulldozer” Boser
Seungwoo Choi vs. Suman Mokhtarian
Dong Hyun “Maestro” Ma vs. Omar Antonio Morales Ferrer
Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja vs. Matt “Danger” Schnell
Raoni Barcelos vs. Said Nurmagomedov
Early Prelims
Miranda “Danger” Granger vs. Amanda “Amandinha” Lemos
Heili “The Mongolian Knight” Alateng vs. Ryan “Baby Face” Benoit
