Detroit is getting a great one, as the Octagon takes up residence in the Motor City for UFC 218 on December 2. The main event is a rematch between featherweight champion Max Holloway and Jose Aldo, who possessed the division for nearly a decade.
However, this card is a lot more than just the major event. The PPV part of this card also features a banger of a heavyweight fight between Alistair Overeem and Francis Ngannou, as well as a bout between Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez to ascertain who is the most brutal fighter in the provider.
Max Holloway vs Jose Aldo
Max Holloway (-300) includes a game plan built on great fundamentals and footwork. “Blessed” is constantly moving and angling his feet to discover the very best opportunity to strike, working a pressure-based style. That being said, Holloway is also a lot capable of using his height and reach advantage that he generally retains to stick-and-move. The Hawaiian loves bullying his opponent against the cage where he could set his feet and toss wicked combinations.
Grappling isn’t something which Holloway partakes in his incredible takedown defense — he hasn’t been taken down in his past eight fights — means his opposition rarely has the chance to. His size usually leads to Holloway having a huge leverage edge if the battle goes into the clinch, which allows him to break easily and get back to space.
Jose Aldo’s (+230) game is built around shield and time. Though that does not seem the sexiest, it’s enabled”Scarface” to methodically dismantle virtually every opponent in his manner. He is more of a counter-striker who’ll wait on his opponent to commit before angling off, with a number of the best footwork in MMA, to property a stinging punch or signature reduced kick. However, this did not happen in the first fight. Aldo ended up throwing first — and leaving himself open — rather than throwing leg kicks, which was a massive issue.
In terms of grappling, it’s mostly used defensively for Aldo. The Brazilian has some of the greatest defensive wrestling ever seen in MMA and, on the rare occasion when he can get removed, he’s got the grappling ability to create a scramble and get back to his feet. Though he rarely uses it , Aldo is a good wrestler in his own right. Again, he combines good technical abilities with his amazing time to burst into takedowns. Once on top, Aldo’s rarely seen BJJ black belt carries over and that he passes with ease.
I simply do not believe much has changed since the first fight. Holloway will enter certain and will nevertheless have a decided advantage in terms of size. If Aldo is patient and gets back to his leg-kicking manners, then this could be a tight fight. But, I don’t think there’s an obvious path to victory for Aldo.
Prediction: Max Holloway (-300)

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