UFC to Continue the Pay-Per-View Hot Streak with UFC 250 on June 6

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PC: Yahoo Sports

We all know that the United States is crazy for sports, but one of the most action-packed and high-octane sports, mixed martial arts, was undoubtedly very eager to get underway. On March 7, we saw the last pay-per-view event from the UFC, with Israel Adesanya besting Yoel Romero by unanimous decision at UFC 248.

On May 9, the UFC roared back into action with another top-class pay-per-view event, UFC 249, with the Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje headliner followed by a UFC Fight Night and UFC on ESPN. While there’s another UFC Night on the schedule first, the next big PPV is UFC 250, which already boasts a mighty co-headliner.

The return of the UFC.

PC: Yahoo Sports

Since starting up again on May 9, the UFC has made the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida its home. Of course, the promotion’s real home is Las Vegas, Nevada, but for the time being, Jacksonville has been able to offer their major events a grand stage to beam around the world.

With the empty arena, the mixed martial arts bouts are a little different to experience, without any cheers following a big strike or when the legendary announcer, Bruce Buffer, calls a decision. Fighters do say that they miss their fans and the crowd. Still, many have given some alternate positive feedback, particularly due to the serene atmosphere around the octagon in the most recent events.

Greg Hardy, the heavyweight who trumped Yorgan de Castro on points at UFC 249, was very open about the benefits that he gained in his fight. In the post-fight interview, he likened the experience to having 77 coaches, being able to hear the advice of the co-commentator – former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier – and using it to overcome the tough early stages. As a spectator, it’s also strangely enjoyable to be able to hear the coaches and connections with more clarity.

UFC 250 is already shaping up to be a colossal event

During the UFC 249 undercard, a huge clash was announced for UFC 250, with two-division champion Amanda Nunes returning to featherweight to defend against upstart Canadian Felicia Spencer. The title bout marks Nunes’ first defense at featherweight since claiming the strap from Cris Cyborg in what was a 51-second walkover.

The fiery Brazilian has handily defeated everyone put in front of her. Nunes’ ongoing ten-bout winning streak includes every single female UFC champion at bantamweight and featherweight ever. Cris Cyborg, Germaine de Randamie, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, and Ronda Rousey have all fallen to her tremendous fighting skill.

Nunes coming to an event makes it must-watch television for fight fans. She is phenomenal and easily the best female fighter the UFC has ever seen. However, one of the things that makes MMA so exciting is that just about anything can happen – which is why it had caught on so quickly in India, with people all over the country wanting to find out how and where to back the favorite. Even though the experts are seeing Nunes as the heavy favorite, many fans are backing Spencer at those experts’ longer odds as, after all, she certainly isn’t a pushover.

UFC 250 Amanda Nunes
Photo Credits: Yahoo Sports

Quite evenly matched in terms of stature, Nunes has become infamous for her venomous striking. Spencer comes in as a fighter who knows how to throw her body, and opponents’ bodies, around and how to suffocate their game plans. Yet to be knocked out, Spencer’s only career loss came via decision to Cris Cyborg. While Nunes did obliterate Cyborg six months earlier, Spencer will have learned a lot from that grueling three-round battle.

Spencer is coming in with an 8-1 record to try to upset the odds made by the experts who see Nunes as a clear-cut winner. Based on what she’s shown so far, if the Canadian can get in close and smother the champion, there’s a chance that she could turn the UFC on its head. That’s why the match is so big, and yet, the title bout isn’t put down as the sole headliner.

As it stands, Nunes vs. Spencer will follow Charles Byrd vs. Maki Pitolo (middleweight); Ian Heinisch vs. Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight); Alex Perez vs. Jussier Formiga (flyweight); and Alonzo Menifield vs. Devin Clark (light-heavyweight). The headliner, or co-headliner, as well as the venue, were still in the works at the time of writing. Still, names like Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Kamaru Usman, and Jorge Masvidal have all been thrown around as potential fighters for the top of the card.

With Nunes vs. Spencer, UFC 250 will only continue the promotion’s comeback momentum with another top-class sporting event. Better still, there may yet be another great bout on the bill.