MMA Preview – Jose Aldo vs Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 237
AT A GLANCE
When is UFC 237? Sunday 12th May, 2019 – 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 237? Jeunesse Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
What channel is UFC 237? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 237? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live and you can take advantage of a free trial with ESPN+ and subscribe now by clicking here!
Are tickets still available for UFC 237? http://uk.ufc.com/event-ticket-info?utm_source=ufc&utm_medium=tab&utm_campaign=tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
The King of Rio Jose Aldo is back for another three-rounder and welcomes the next elite contender to Brazil in the shape of Alexander Volkanovski who is on a 16-fight winning streak.
No one can question the heart of Aldo who has been fighting at championship level for ten years. He has had 14 title fights in his last 16 outings for the UFC and WEC and although he has lost the belt twice, he still has the motivation to take on young and hungry lions who have been studying him for years.
After losing his rematch to Max Holloway, he went back to the drawing board and took on the dangerous veteran Jeremy Stephens. Just when people where questioning his heart, he finished Stephens in the first round following a thunderous hook to the liver. Aldo then went on to finish the next top contender - Renato Moicano - with a vintage onslaught of strikes and now welcomes the next savage in line in the form of Volkanovski.
The Aussie only has one loss on his record and since joining the UFC, he has proven he has what it takes to perform at the very highest level. He has flown in under the radar but after dominating all of his opponents and knocking out the perennial top contender Chad Mendes, he announced himself as a legitimate threat to the featherweight strap.
THE PREDICTION
Aldo is the most devastating finisher the featherweight division has ever seen but he will need to study the tape as you cannot afford to underestimate Volkanovski. The Aussie also has knockout power with an arsenal of strikes and is a very strong grappler. His wrestling is outstanding and his ground-and-pound is brutal. He is just as dangerous in the clinch with murderous elbows.
However, the key factor in this fight will be Aldo’s takedown defence. It is battle-tested and proven against the very best grapplers in the division which will force this fight into a stand-up battle. Volkanovksi is most dangerous at close range but Aldo will have the movement and speed to control the range where he has disposed anyone with a similar reach.
Both guys are very durable and Aldo has the experience to earn a decision and avoid any knockout blows but in three-round fights he is frightening and will look to empty the gas tank after the first round which usually ends terribly for his opponents.
Winner: Aldo via KO/TKO
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric
