MMA

Two experienced ladies are hoping to climb the rankings in the fresh flyweight division. Jessica Eye is desperate to pick up some form after losing six of her last eight fights but has a very tricky match-up in Jessica-Rose Clark who has looked great in her two UFC performances.

The main card in Singapore kicks off in style with Li Jingliang and Daichi Abe. They are fully expected to throw down as both are looking to bounce back from a loss; Jingliang suffered his first loss in five fights which came via a decision to Jake Matthews whereas Abe suffered the first loss of his career against Luke Jumeau which was also a decision.

The long-awaited return (well, for some) of Phil Brooks aka CM Punk is upon us at UFC 225. The WWE superstar makes his return 20 months after his less than spectacular debut at UFC 203. His status granted him his debut in the UFC but he was humbled by Mickey Gall who finished him in the first round with a rear-naked choke.

Megan Anderson finally makes her UFC debut which has been thoroughly anticipated mainly because she is one of two genuine featherweights in the UFC and Cris Cyborg’s only real threat in the division right now. She has been handed Holly Holm which is the biggest test of her credentials so far.

This is a titanic clash between a legend come gatekeeper and a former Rugby League player come heavyweight prospect. Andrei Arlovski has 43 professional fights to his name, going to war with a who’s who of former champions and beasts whereas Tai Tuivasa has had seven MMA fights – all of which he has won.

Covington has earned his stellar record dominating the majority of his opponents, all based on an outstanding level of wrestling. The decorated collegiate wrestler will have an obvious game plan and considering the calibre of his opponent, it may be the only route to victory.

The Reaper put on a clinic on how to beat Romero and doing so after an oblique kick aggravated a knee injury makes you realise he has even more to give. His biggest threats in the first fight was Romero’s explosive power in his hands, his speed and Olympic level wrestling.

TSZ’s MMA expert Ewan Lavender offers his opinion on how the sport can be improved. Here are the five changes he believes MMA should introduce...

While TJ Dillashaw, Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz have been battling to prove they are the best bantamweight in the world, Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes have been patiently waiting for their own opportunity.

There is only one loss between these two fighters. Vinc Pichel’s sole professional defeat came in his UFC debut against Rustam Khabilov where he was thrown around like a ragdoll and eventually finished with a knockout. However, he has responded brilliantly by winning four on the trot and now faces another beast of a grappler.

Daniel Spitz is a real heavyweight prospect making his third UFC appearance. He lost his debut against Mark Godbeer but bounced back by ending Anthony Hamilton in just 24 seconds, overwhelming him with heavy punches on the ground.

Two wily old veterans in the shape of Jake ‘The Juggernaut’ Ellenberger and Ben ‘Killa B’ Saunders square off in New York with 33 UFC fights between them. Despite the experience, they are both coming off two knockouts in their last two fights; Ellenberger succumbing to Jorge Masvidal and Mike Perry with Saunders falling to Peter Sobotta and Alan Jouban.