Khabib Nurmagomedov’s weight issues scrap UFC 209 bout with Tony Ferguson

All 22 fighters competing at UFC 209 squared off one last time at the ceremonial weigh-ins.

Viva Las Vegas UFC 209: Tyron Woodley vs Stephen Thompson – who is on the fight card, what time is it and what channel is it on? Look for Woodley to measure his striking game as a way to get closer to Thompson and take the fight to the ground.

The co-main event had the potential to be something special, but after a weight cutting disaster we’re left with a fight which has potential to be exciting in its own right.

And despite not featuring lightweight champ Conor McGregor, CBS Sports analyst Doug Gottlieb believes this card will tell us just how healthy the sport is without its biggest star. “And now, I want to keep defending this belt and become the greatest welterweight of all-time and then eventually the greatest fighter of all-time”. He did everything he needed to do to prepare for UFC 209. And with the confidence he gained from the first fight during the standup exchanges, Tyron Woodley should be ultra-aggressive with his wrestling at UFC 209. Both fighters accepted the result and hailed their encounter as a good fight, setting the stage for the rematch at hand.

One of the most anticipated bouts of the year was scrapped one day before UFC 209 at T-Mobile Arena.

“I think Woodley might catch him and put him out early”.

Who will walk out of Las Vegas this Saturday night as the UFC Welterweight Champion? Woodley was clearly irked by the decision, having wanted to make a statement in his first title defence only to be denied that by a durable Thompson. I’m fighting the best of the best.

This falls in line with what the oddsmakers have as Woodley, despite being the champion, is the underdog in the rematch. That said, Thompson is unlikely to be as cautious this time and all signs point to this being a “pick-em” fight. His last five wins have brought home bonus money like night fight or night run.

Thompson took Woodley’s best shots on the chin and survived. Ferguson had been preparing for months to face one of the most dominant wrestlers in MMA and was suddenly going to be thrust into a fight with a unsafe striker like Johnson?

As Saturday’s fight approaches, bettors and fans alike probably feel things could go either way. The thought process was that giving fighters an extra eight hours to rehydrate would make them more comfortable. You know he’s going to be making some adjustments.

Woodley comes back at plus-140 (risking $1 to win $1.40). Thompson is a slight favorite in the rematch.

Many felt that St-Pierre would make his return against the victor of Saturday’s headliner, but that’s not the case.