We are now heading into March, where we will have three UFC events to keep us busy over the month. Here I will highlight three matchups I am looking forward to, and all three of them are preliminary card contests in the UFC’s featherweight divisiion… Fight: Darren Elkins vs. Mirsad Bektic Card: UFC 209 Where: Las Vegas, NV When: March 4, 2017 Thoughts: Bektic gets a step up in competition, and the stiffest test of his professional MMA career in the form of Elkins, and I think this will be a tough matchup for both 145-pounders. The Bosnian needs an impressive victory over Elkins to continue his climb up the rankings, and the Team Alpha Male-trained fighter looks to derail the undefeated featherweight’s run. This is a very intriguing matchup at 145 pounds, and I look forward to seeing how it plays out. Fight: Rony Jason vs. Jeremy Kennedy Card: UFC Fight Night 106 Where: Fortaleza, Brazil When: March 11, 2017 Thoughts: I love this fight. Kennedy defeated Alessandro Ricci via unanimous decision in his promotional debut and will be looking to go 2-0 and remain undefeated as a pro by taking out TUF 1 winner Jason. This scrap has “fireworks” written all over it, and I expect it to be a contender for ‘Fight of the Night’ honors despite being a preliminary card contest. Kennedy will be traveling to enemy territory to take on a Brazilian in Brazil for this matchup, and he will have his hands full in front of the hostile crowd with Jason, who is a finishing threat both on the feet and on the mat. This is an excellent matchup and a scrap I can’t wait to see. Fight: Arnold Allen vs. Makwan Amirkhani Card: UFC Fight Night 107 Where: London, England When: March 18, 2017 Thoughts: Finally, Allen is set to make his return to the Octagon following an extended injury layoff after a come-from-behind, third-round guillotine-choke victory over Alan Omer in what was the UFC debut for both fighters at the time. He is now back to take on Amirkhani, who is coming off an extended layoff of his own after picking up three quick victories with the promotion. I think this is a great matchup, and I am anxious to see these two 145-pounders go at it. I am a fan of both fighters and interested in seeing who will come out on top, though I will not be thrilled to see either of them take a defeat this early in their UFC careers. Allen will have the crowd on his side, but if anybody can win the fans over, it’s Amirkhani.
