UFC 178 will be live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, September 27th with a stacked 11-fight card, including a five-fight main card that will be airing on Pay Per View at 10pm ET, with a four-fight preliminary card preceding it at 8pm ET on FOX Sports 1. The preliminary card wraps up with the return of Dominick Cruz in his three round bantamweight bout against Takeya Mizugaki, and the main card kicks off with the return of Cat Zingano, who will be taking on Amanda Nunes. Nunes was the first female Brazilian fighter to pick up a win in the UFC, where she is now on a two-fight winning streak with a pair of first round TKO’s over Sheila Gaff and Germaine de Randamie. She will be looking to extend that streak to three in a row when she takes on the top ranked Zingano in what should be a very exciting match-up in the women’s 135-pound division. Zingano has not seen action since a third round TKO victory over Miesha Tate at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale nearly a year and a half ago. She was set to challenge Ronda Rousey for her title before the injury setback, so with a win over Nunes, she will more than likely get her title shot. Next up will be a middleweight contest between #6 ranked Tim Kennedy and #10 ranked Yoel Romero. This is a match-up between a pair of very tough and talented mixed martial artists who excel in the grappling department. Both of these 185-pounders certainly possess knockout power, so a finish on the feet could come at any time, potentially with any punch. It is a big question mark how this match-up will go, as there are many imaginable possible outcomes, but more than likely it will prove to be a fun fight for the fans and a possible candidate for the evening’s ‘Fight of the Night’ honors. The only way I could see it not being excited is if it somehow becomes a one-sided wrestling match, which is a possibility, but I don’t see it happening. I feel both of these middleweights will be looking to make the most of this main card Pay Per View opportunity by looking for an impressive victory while putting on a show. In a crowded 185-pound division, if either of them wants to get into the title picture, they need to not only win, but also impress on Saturday night. The highly anticipated featherweight contest between Ireland’s Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is up next on the Pay Per View card, with both fighters looking to extend their Octagon winning streaks to four in a row. This is a big fight for both fighters, as a win could potentially earn them a shot at the winner of Aldo vs Mendes. Also, it’s arguably the fight fans are looking forward to most, as the Irishman has become a true fan favorite. Poirier will be his toughest test to date and everybody is waiting to see how McGregor will fair against him. In a fight that is expected to be a barn burner filled with fireworks, I don’t think these 145-pounders will fail to leave it all in the Octagon. In the co-main event of the evening, we will finally get to see Eddie Alvarez make his long, long awaited Octagon debut, and against no other than Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. This lightweight scrap is another true contender for the evening’s ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus, and likely the favorite to take home the prize. From start to finish, I am certain this fight will be edge of your seat entertainment. I could see it ending within a minute and I could also see it being a brutal 15 minute war, but in any case, I feel fight fans will be left pleased. A win here will be huge for both 155-pounders, as it could earn them a shot at the winner of Pettis vs Melendez. Headlining the UFC 178 main card on Pay Per View will be a bout for the UFC Flyweight title between challenger Chris “Kimkaze” Cariaso and Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. This bout is expected to be Johnson’s easiest title defense as the 125-pound champ, and Cariaso is out to prove everybody wrong. While it is the main event of the evening, this is the bout on the entire main card that fight fans are looking forward to least. In fact, fans are more interested in the fights on the preliminary card than in this headliner. Being fully aware of said fact, flyweights Cariaso and Johnson will be looking to awe and deliver.
