After thrilling finishes, upsets, and performances in January. The UFC in February will be a sight to see with amazing main events and stacked cards.

Here are five must-watch UFC fights to watch.

Honorable Mentions

• Tresean Gore vs Bryan Battle (Battle of TUF 29 finalist/UFC FN 200)

• Hakeem Dawodu vs Mike Trizano (UFC FN 200)

• (#3 MW) Jared Cannonier vs (#4 MW) Derek Brunson (UFC 271)

• (#10 LHW) Johnny Walker vs (#12 LHW) Jamahal Hill (UFC FN 201)

• (#13 LW) Arman Tsarukyan vs Joel Alvarez (UFC FN 202)

1. (#6 MW) Jack Hermansson vs (#7 MW) Sean Strickland

With the middleweights taking over the month of February, the UFC are starting with an amazing showdown between Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland. Hermansson coming off a dominant decison victory over Edmen Shahbazyan looks to climb back into the top five middleweight rankings with a win. Riding a five fight win streak, the unique Sean Strickland will look possibly end his night early and get dominant win over Hermansson. As he is slowly climbing the middleweight rankings towards the title.

In order for Hermansson to with this fight, he would have to take Strickland to the ground and submit him. Avoiding any striking affairs and stand up fights. For Sean to win, his goal would be to make this a dirty fight through his striking and forward pressure. As he is the better striker compared to Hermansson.

Prediction

I predict Hermansson to win by submission but if the fight were to stay on the feet I believe Strickland has what it takes to beat Hermansson.

2. (#3 HW) Derrick Lewis vs (#11 HW) Tai Tuivasa

Scheduled to be a fan-favorite fight, Derrick Lewis versus Tai Tuivasa will likely blow the roof off the Toyota Center in Houston because of their popularity and KO power. However when examining the realities of this matchup, best-case scenario would be that it ends in a finish with either men winning. Worst-case scenario this fight becomes similar to that of Ngannou versus Lewis at UFC 226 were both fighters were aware of each other power and ends up being a cardio or ground game contest.

Prediction

I predict Derrick Lewis to win this fight via KO/TKO in the first round. Although both men have the power to end each others night. When comparing Lewis’s forward pressure and ability to avoid hard punches in a brawl to that of Tuivasa.

It would show that Lewis would the better fighter. An example of Tuivasa potentially losing in a brawl occurred at UFC 264 against Greg Hardy. Where although he won the fight via KO/TKO in that back and forth sequence, Tuivasa was wobbled by a straight left to the head.

3. (C) Israel Adesanya vs (#1 MW) Robert Whittaker

In a rematch for the ages, Israel Adesanya versus Robert Whittaker is a must see fight. As both men have evolved since the last matchup at UFC 243 were Adesanya KO/TKO’d Whittaker to become the new UFC middleweight champion. Overall, this fight will be a stylistic rivalry due to the improved arsenals of both men.

Prediction

In this fight, I predict Adesanya to win via decision. As Adesanya’s method of winning is to control the distance and wrestle. For Whittaker to win, he’s going to have to control range, be composed, and keep the fight near the center of the octagon. As I believe Whittaker can possibly out strike and evade Adesanya.

4. (#6 LW) Rafael Dos Anjos vs (#11 LW) Rafael Fiziev

To determine the best Rafael in the UFC lightweight division, Dos Anjos vs Fiziev is dream matchup. As both men are highly skilled strikes with sneaky KO power. For the former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos a solid win versus Fiziev could possibly push back into the top five. Coming off a TKO victory, Rafael Fiziev is seizing the opportunity to become a lightweight contender. Overall, this be a stylistic matchup between a striker and Muay Thai fighter.

Prediction

I predict Rafael Fiziev to win and be crowned the best Rafael in the lightweight division. Because although Dos Anjos has the threat of bring the fight to the ground, I believe if Fiziev can control the distance, stay in range, and avoid the cage he can win this fight. For Dos Anjos, coming into this fight his striking has to be calculated and take the fight to the canvas testing not Fiziev’s jiu-jitsu and ground game.

5. (#3 LW) Beneil Dariush vs (#4 LW) Islam Makhachev

Closing the month of February will possibly be a title contending fight between Beniel Dariush and Islam Makhachev. When examining the matchup the aspect that sticks out the most is both fighters elite ground game. As Dariush a product of Kings MMA, has proven to be a contender not just through his striking but his ability to pin his opponents to the canvas. For Makhachev, the known childhood friend of Khabib is an elite wrester who can smash his opponents with his pressure and submission arsenal.

Prediction

I predict Islam Makhachev to win because of elite wrestling and grappling. As its very much a possibility that Islam overwhelms Dariush on the ground and submits him. However for Dariush to win his striking and staying off the cage will be vocal point of the match. As Dariush’s striking compared Makhachev is like comparing apples to oranges in that if Beniel lands a hard-hitting strike that may put Makhachev away or setup a possibly to pull a submission of his own.

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