UFC 241 is all about a rematch and a return. The rematch, of course, is the main event between former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and the reigning defending heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. Miocic who dropped the title when he was dropped by Cormier has sat on the shelf and done nothing since getting knocked out in round one by Cormier at UFC 226. He hasn’t fought or done anything in my opinion to warrant this rematch except complain that he should get an immediate rematch. Yes, I understand he holds the record for most title defenses at heavyweight, but getting knocked out in round one negates his claim that he should automatically get a rematch.
Cormier, on the other hand, has defended the belt once since winning it. He was waiting to fight Brock Lesnar because he felt that would be the biggest payday of his career in what was supposed to be the final fight of his career. Brock Lesnar however, isn’t coming back any time soon, and DC being a man of his word said if Brock didn’t come back he would give a rematch to Miocic, so here we are.
Both Miocic and Cormier hit the scale today significantly lighter than they did in their first fight.
The return of Nate Diaz is the other big news at UFC 241, although I’m not sure as to why. Diaz is 3-4 in his last seven fights dating back to 2012, and hasn’t fought since losing to Conor McGregor back in 2016. Diaz claims that the UFC tried to make him disappear, but that isn’t actually true. Fights have been offered, bout agreements have been signed, and it has always been Diaz that has kept himself out of the octagon and not the other way around as he likes to claim victim status on a regular basis. The popularity of Diaz may be linked to his and his brothers attitude of continually spitting in the face of the UFC every chance they get. Blowing off press conferences, media appearances and not conforming to the requirements of the company seems to have endeared them to the blue-collar fan that would love to stand up and tell their boss to piss off!
Meanwhile, Anthony Pettis who had his own issues has reinvented himself as a welterweight that should be taken very seriously. Although he is 3-3 in his last 6 bouts with alternating wins and losses during this stretch, Pettis has been active, and reinvigorated as a fighter. He looks like the “Showtime” that rose to the top of the lightweight division a few years ago only now he is bigger, stronger and more importantly a grown man with vast experience under his belt. He still possesses the killer instinct we love and is laser focused on being the best.
There is real heat between Diaz and Pettis which means this fight should be a war. Hopefully Nate Diaz can still be the no quit in him type of fighter that has endeared himself to the fan base of the UFC, and give us one hell of a show when he steps in against Anthony Pettis.
Below are the full weigh-in results for UFC 241.
UFC 241 Main Card:
265 lbs.: UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier (236.5) vs. Stipe Miocic (230.5)
170 lbs.: Nate Diaz (170) vs. Anthony Pettis (169.5)
185 lbs.: Paulo Costa (186) vs. Yoel Romero (184.5)
145 lbs.: Gabriel Benitez (146) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (145)
185 lbs.: Derek Brunson (186) vs. Ian Heinisch (185.5)
UFC 241 Prelims Card:
155 lbs.: Devonte Smith (156) vs. Khama Worthy (155.5)
135 lbs.: Raphael Assuncao (136) vs. Cory Sandhagen (136)
155 lbs.: Christos Giagos (155) vs. Drakkar Klose (155.5)
140 lbs.: Manny Bermudez (140) vs. Casey Kenney (139)
115 lbs.: Hannah Cifers (114.5) vs. Jodie Esquibel (116)
135 lbs.: Brandon Davis (136) vs. Kang Kyung-ho (136)
125 lbs.: Shana Dobson (124.5) vs. Sabina Mazo (126)
Christopher James has been in the MMA industry for 15 years, Working as a ring announcer for promotions like the XFC, Island Fights, Combat Night and Fight Nights Global during his career. Chris’ love for the sport and the athletes that partake in it led him to writing and doing face to face interviews with the athletes he admired and respected. Chris isn’t conventional by any stretch of the imagination, he has his own style, and takes pride in not being a “cookie-cutter” member of the media. Unique and sometimes controversial takes are what he brings to the table, forcing folks to think a little differently about the world of MMA. He also has a love for music as he has been a dj for 25 years and his love for music gets brought to the MMA world when he gets his guests to sing on his weekly show Cage Side with Christopher James which can be seen Wednesday nights on FACEBOOK LIVE, and soon via podcast.