Pre-Fight Stock Report: UFC 241
The ordering process for Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-views has changed: UFC 241 is only available on ESPN+ in the U.S.
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Anaheim, California for UFC 241, headlined by a heavyweight title rematch between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic. Here are some of the fighters whose stock may rise or fall the most, depending on what happens this weekend.
Who Has the Most to Gain?
Stipe Miocic: Following a first-round knockout loss to Daniel Cormier over a year ago, Stipe bet on himself and opted to wait on the sidelines in hopes of an immediate rematch with “DC.” While it took longer than he may have hoped, Stipe is finally cashing in and will be looking to regain his heavyweight title this Saturday. For even the most dominant of champions, getting the opportunity to run it back after a decisive loss can be tricky and for that very reason, Stipe has everything to gain, in a bout where a win will undoubtedly return the Cleveland, Ohio native to his former glory. Look for Stipe to go out and implement a familiar game plan of pressure, pace and boxing. The pressure of a repeat performance is all on his opponent Cormier, and from the perspective of challenger for the first time in three years, Stipe has been all business heading into the biggest fight of his career.
Paulo Henrique Costa: Despite inactivity since his fourth consecutive finish inside of the UFC octagon, Costa is on a collision course with Yoel Romero in a bout that has finally come to fruition after multiple attempts. Costa has received a helpful push from UFC brass mainly due to his fan-friendly style of bulldozing opponents in the most violent fashion possible. Now, without any top ranked wins under his belt, Costa finds himself in a position most prospects would kill for, and with an impressive showing, he may just find himself in a UFC title fight with just five bouts under the promotion’s banner. While UFC 241 is filled with excellent fights from top to bottom, look for Costa vs. Romero to steal the show with the chance of a promising prospect making the leap to contender.
Cory Sandhagen: When observing the landscape of the bantamweight title picture, one name that is seldom brought to the table is Cory Sandhagen. Despite a red-hot undefeated start to a UFC career that has propelled him into the top 10, Sandhagen has admitted to feeling neglected among the sea of contenders crowding the weight class. Saturday night can change all of that for Sandhagen as he puts his skills to the test in the biggest bout of his career against Raphael Assuncao. While the lack of a push has bothered Sandhagen, he can change all that with an impressive win against a top-5 fighter, changing his trajectory from promising up-and-comer to bona fide breakout contender. Look for Sandhagen to mix it up on Saturday night. The Elevation Fight Team trainee is adept wherever the fight goes and has the gas to put Assuncao in deep water even in the final frame.
Who Has the Most to Lose?
Daniel Cormier: Following a monumental win over Miocic more than a year ago, Cormier had big plans. But after a big money bout with Brock Lesnar fell through -- while he bided his time with a short-notice title defense against Derrick Lewis last November -- Cormier had little else to look to other than a rematch with Miocic, a bout where there is little Cormier can do to improve upon his first performance. A win is likely just another notch on the belt for a champion cementing his legacy in the twilight of his career. A loss, on the other hand, brings Cormier’s stint as heavyweight champion into question and muddies the waters regarding an impending retirement. Cormier has been quoted recently saying he never wants to be the fighter that “retires on their back.” Saturday night in Anaheim, that fear could very well become reality for Cormier as Miocic is coming into this bout with more to prove than ever before.
Nate Diaz: On the heels of a multi-year hiatus where Diaz’s disdain for the UFC’s matchmaking principles was on public display, Stockton’s finest is back in action against Anthony Pettis in an electrifying co-main event in the welterweight division. Although Pettis is coming into this bout fresh off a knockout win over Stephen Thompson, it almost feels Diaz is doing “Showtime” a favor by signing on the dotted line. Two bouts with Conor McGregor took Diaz to a level of stardom that most UFC athletes simply won’t approach in their careers; Pettis included. While this matchup will surely result in fireworks, it does less for Diaz than it does for Pettis. In 2019, a win over Diaz means more than it ever has and even with a successful welterweight debut, the same cannot be said for Pettis. With rumors swirling often of wild matchups the UFC has offered both Diaz brothers, you’d be hard pressed to find the reason Anthony Pettis became the reason Nate was coaxed out of hiding.
Devonte Smith: The lead-up to UFC 241 has been a struggle for Devonte Smith as he finds himself standing across from his third scheduled opponent. After originally being slated to take on UFC veteran John Makdessi, an injury resulted in a brief pairing with Clay Collard before finally landing on UFC newcomer Khama Worthy in a bout where the pressure is seemingly all on Smith. Following a successful campaign on The Contender Series and back to back finish wins to begin his UFC career, people are starting to take notice of “King Kage.” A loss over a short-notice replacement would undoubtedly halt the hype train of Smith and send him to the back of the line in a division where it’s hard enough as it is to stand out from the pack. Smith would be wise to look to keep the fight on the feet where his knockout power can help sway the flow of the fight and hopefully extend his finish streak in the UFC to three fights.
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