UFC has announced the totality of UFC 327. We have another vacated title being fought over as it seems Alex Pereira has vacated the title and will likely be moving to heavyweight.
Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Uhlberg - Any Jiri fight is always welcome. One of the most exciting and interesting fighters in the sport, despite his technical deficiencies. Happy he's getting another crack at the title. And while I don't find Uhlberg all that interesting of a fighter, he's the deserving #1 contender. So fine enough main event.
Joshua Van (C) vs Tatsuro Taira - Sucks that this is a tale of two guys who have two big question marks above their heads. Van went life or death with a Brandon Royval that just got smoked inside of a round while Taira got absolutely bullied on the feet by Royval. And while Van managed to win the title, I don't think most people are satisfied with how the fight with Pantoja played out. But this is the youngest title fight the UFC has had in years and it's two of the best young fighters at flyweight with two completely different approaches. Best fight on the card.
Curtis Blaydes vs Joshua Hokit - The UFC seems to understand that the division sucks ass and is repeatedly trying to hotshot new contenders. I don't think Hokit is 'hot shit' and find his entire right wing edgelord gimmick incredibly half-assed and cringe but he seems to be an in shape HW with some wrestling experience and a decent gas tank. Is that enough to overcome the experience gap and get Blaydes out of there? hope not!
Beniel Dariush vs Manuel Torres - the UFC seems desperate to clear out the old heads taking up space in the LW rankings. For Dariush, that means he keeps getting matched up with guys who are quick finishers (a thing Dariush has always been susceptible to). I don't think Torres is a rising contender, but he's long, dangerous, and much younger than Dariush.
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker - Welcome to the glass canon factory, baby! Two guys with big power, 0 chin, and waning confidence. Expecting the goofiest 3 minutes of MMA ever in this one.
I like the prelims: Cub Swanson vs Nate Landwehr is good old man action. Mateusz Gamrot vs. Esteban Ribovics - see what I said about Dariush-Torres. Holland-Brown is some fun long boys with pop action. Patrício Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico is the fight Bjorn Rebney dreamed of for years. Hopefully, Loopy Godinez vs Tatiana Suarez put on a wrestling clinic as opposed to some mediocre range kickboxing. Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa is two big punchers. It's an OK main card (charitable) but I really like the prelims.