UFC 230 - 'Cormier vs. Lewis': Early Preliminary Card Preview For UFC 230

UFC 230 is here, and with it is the fight that everyone wants. Until it was announced, no one knew that they wanted this fight to happen, but now Derrick Lewis is finally facing Daniel Cormier, and the possibilities are endless.

While the bout is heavily favored for Cormier, we are at a point, where anything can happen. Derrick Lewis proved that he has an extremely strong jaw. He took punishment from Alexander Volkov for the entire period of three rounds, and then with 20 seconds of the last round to go, he landed a critical blow on him, knocking him out.

Other than the main event, the entire card is one which features a number of exciting bouts. While we will talk about the rest of the fights on the main card later, it is also important to take a look at the undercard of the UFC 230 pay-per-view.

There are several excellent fights waiting on the fringes of the pay-per-view. In this article, we will take a look at the Early Preliminary Card and have a detailed look at each of the four fights on the card.

Without any further ado, let's jump into it.

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#4 Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata:

UFC 226: Vannata v Klose

Matt Frevola is finally ready to take part on a UFC pay-per-view again. After having a 6-0 undefeated run in his professional career, a win in the final of the Contender Series saw him get a fight against Marco Polo Reyes at UFC Fight Night.

That did not go well for him, as he found himself knocked out. Things can change now, finally as he has another fight, this time against Lando Vannata.

Vannata comes into this fight on the back of a bad run. After going 8 fights without a single loss in his UFC career, his last 5 fights have seen him lose three and draw one.

Both fighters will look to outdo the other and make their way up the rankings.

#2 Shane Burgos vs. Kurt Holobaugh:

UFC 220: Kattar v Burgos

In this fight, Shane Burgos is coming into it on the back of his first-ever loss in his professional Mixed Martial Arts career. He was on a 10-0 streak until UFC 220, where he faced Calvin Kattar. It did not end well for him, as he lost the fight via a Technical Knockout in the 3rd round of the fight.

On the other hand, Holobaugh has not had the best showing either. With his fight on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series turning out to be a no contest, his loss in his last fight against Raoni Barcelos sees him with zero wins since coming to the Octagon.

This could be his chance to prove himself to the fans and to UFC management and make sure they know that he belongs there. Burgos, on the other hand, will be trying to improve upon his 3-1 record in the Octagon. A win here would see him shoot up the rankings as well.

#3 Brian Kelleher vs. Montel Jackson:

UFC Fight Night: Weidman v Gastelum

Brian Kelleher and Montel Jackson are set to square off in this fight. Kelleher comes into the fight which will be his sixth in the Octagon with a loss in his last outing. He has won three of his five fights in the Octagon, and with a victory here, will be looking to make it his fifth win since coming to the UFC. With a win by submission, a win by knockout, and a win by decision, he has proved his versatility in the Octagon.

On the other side of things in Montel Jackson. Jackson has been in seven fights in his professional career, with two of these taking place in UFC.

While he has lost only his last outing at UFC 227, it is interesting to note, that all but one of his victories have come of knockouts. This fight could have a quick ending if Jackson gets his way.

#4 Adam Wieczorek vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima:

UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko v Pena

An experienced fighter in the Octagon, Marcos Rogerio de Lima will be entering his eighth fight in the UFC when he faces Adam Wieczorek at UFC 230. With three wins and three losses in his last six fights, Rogerio de Lima is anything but dependable and consistent at the moment.

He is yet to receive a major breakthrough in the fights, due to consistent losses while fighting for the company on the back of any major win.

Each of his victories has either come from Knockouts or Submissions, so it is likely he will be looking for a quick finish this Saturday.

Wieczorek definitely does not have an objection to a quick finish. Currently, on a nine-fight undefeated run, he will look to collect his tenth after beating Marcos.

An interesting point to note here is that in each of his ten victories except one, Wieczorek has managed to win via a stoppage.