UFC 247

On February 8 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, there will be not one, but two title fights. The Main Event features the renowned Jon Jones versus the #4 ranked contender, Dominic Reyes, for the light heavyweight belt. The Co Main Event is a showdown between Valentina “The Bullet” Shevchenko versus the #1 ranked contender, Katlyn Chookagian, for the women’s flyweight belt. The main card kicks off with a fight between the hometown hero, Derrick Lewis, versus “The Sledgehammer” Ilir Latifi. The card is set to display champion-caliber excellence, up-and-coming scrap, and veterans vying for contention.

Jon Jones (25-1) vs Dominick Reyes (12-0)

Does Jones even need an introduction at this point? Jon Jones has fought some of the best fighters to ever compete in the UFC; his only loss comes by way of disqualification due to illegal strikes in a fight in which he was absolutely dominating his opponent. Jones has only been truly tested in a couple of fights and he seems to have cleared the light heavyweight division clean. Jon Jones is truly one of the best, if not the best, to ever fight inside of the octagon. After a victory over Reyes, it is rumored that Jones is to move up to heavyweight where he will challenge for the heavyweight world title. Dominic Reyes (6-0 in the UFC) has made an impressive run with knockout victories over Chris Weidman and Jared Cannonier. Sure Reyes has not fought the same caliber of opponents as Jones, but no other fighter has. It seems like the only way Jones can lose this bout, or any bout at this point, is if he lowers his guard and gets caught.

Prediction: The Champ Jon “Bones” Jones dominates

Valentina Shevchenko (18-3) vs Katlyn Chookagian (13-2)

The UFC 247 Co Main Event features a title fight in the women’s flyweight division between defending champion Valentina Shevchenko and Katlyn Chookagian. “The Bullet” is arguably one of the top female fighters in the world. She is a true technician and is currently riding a four fight win streak. Her only two losses in the UFC were by way of decision against Amanda Nunes, the latest of which (in September 2017) was a split decision. Shevchenko has compiled a ton of great performances in the UFC and will continue to do so against Katlyn Chookagain. Chookagian is coming off two straight wins following her loss to Jessica Eye; keep in mind Shevchenko absolutely flat lined Eye by way of a perfectly placed high kick. Chookagian (6-2 in the UFC) has gone the distance in all eight of her UFC bouts. Chookagian has her hands full against the Champ.

Prediction: Shevchenko wins and remains the women's flyweight champion

Jaun Adams (5-2) vs Justin Tafa (3-1)

This is a hard fight to predict as both fighters are early in their careers and inexperienced against tough, veteran opponents. To be quite honest, it comes as a bit of a shock that this fight made it in on the main card of a Jon Jones headlining card. Jaun Adams earned a UFC contract after a TKO victory while competing on Dana White’s contender series. He has since had three fights in the UFC (1-2) including a TKO loss against Greg Hardy 0:45 seconds into the very first round. If Adams were to lose to Tafa, I would not be surprised if this is the last we saw of him in the UFC. Tafa lost his one and only UFC fight via first round KO. Before entering the UFC, Tafa went 3-0 with 3 TKO wins in a regional mma promotion. The only real advantage I can find in this matchup is that Jaun Adams has more fights on the bigger stage.

Prediction: Juan Adams

Dan Ige (12-2) vs Mirsad Bektic (13-2)

Ige made his way into the UFC after a submission victory on Dana White’s contender series in July 2017. Ige is currently riding a four fight win streak and holds a 4-1 record in the UFC. Mirsad (6-2 in the UFC) is looking to return to the victory column after losing to Josh Emmet via TKO in July 2019. Prior to his loss to Emmet, Mirsad had an impressive showing against previous contender Ricardo Lamas, where he won by way of split decision. Mirsad’s experience against tougher fighters will be the deciding factor in this fight. 

Prediction: Mirsad Bektic out classes Dan Ige

Derrick Lewis (22-7) vs Ilir Latifi (15-7)

Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis is returning to the octagon in his home town after securing a split decision victory over Blagoy Ivanov. Prior to his split decision victory, Lewis was riding a two fight losing streak where he had faced off against Daniel Cormier in a title fight and then Junior Dos Santos. He lost both of those fights via second round finishes. The Black Beast has been around forever and a victory in this fight can move him closer to title contention yet again. Latifi is coming into this fright off of two straight losses. His last win was in February 2018 when he submitted Ovince Saint Preux in the first round.

Prediction: Derrick Lewis gets the victory and delivers yet another entertaining post-fight interview in the cage