This year is nearly wrapped up and the UFC’s 2017 fight calendar continues to fill up. Here are my thoughts on some recently booked match-ups that are set to take place inside the Octagon… Fight: Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger vs Nina Ansaroff Card: UFC Fight Night 103 Where: Phoenix, AZ When: November 19, 2016 Thoughts: This women’s strawweight bout is the latest and likely final addition to the UFC Fight Night 103 card in Phoenix and it pits together two fighters who have their backs against the wall. Jones-Lybarger and Ansaroff are both on two-fight defecits and winless inside the Octagon. Another loss here could likely mean receiving a pink slip from the promotion. Jones-Lybarger will have the hometown advantage and will hope to get the win for the Arizona crowd. Ansaroff, best known nowadays as UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes’ girlfriend, trains out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL and will be looking to bring back a win for her squad. This is definitely a “don’t care” fight for me, and unless I’m wagering on it, I may excuse myself for a beer run, as I plan to be attendance in Phoenix for this one. Fight: Alexa Graso vs Felice Herrig Card: UFC Fight Night 104 Where: Houston, TX When: February 4, 2017 Thoughts: Grasso made her UFC debut against Heather Jo Clark and defeated her via unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards, keeping her undefeated record intact. She now gets a step up in competition in the form of Herrig, who owns a pair of victories over Clark herself. I think this is an excellent match-up in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division and feel it is a solid addition to this fight card. I look forward to seeing these ladies throw down in Houston, where the crowd is expected to be on the Mexican fighter’s side. Fight: Holly Holm vs Germaine de Randamie Card: UFC 208 Where: Brooklyn, NY When: February 11, 2017 Thoughts: This fight will be for the inaugral UFC Women’s Featherwight title. The promotion originally wanted to do Holm vs Cyborg Justino, but Holm’s coach did not like that match-up. Then it was de Randamie vs Cyborg, but Cyborg said she won’t be ready before March, so now the UFC pits Holm and de Randamie against each other in what should be an excellent scrap between elite strikers. I am a fan of both ladies and cannot wait for this one, although I think it is a bit silly that they are being forced to move up to 145-pounds. It is going to really hurt the UFC’s women’s 135-pound division. Fight: Junior dos Santos vs Stefan Struve II Card: UFC Fight Night 105 Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada When: February 19, 2017 Thoughts: This rematch will headline the UFC Fight Night card in Nova Scotia in February, and I am not sure if this is a rematch I would one to see, considering how brutally their first meeting ended. I would hate to see “The Skyscraper” take that kind of damage again, and “Cigano” looks more than capable of still dishing it out.
