Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: On the most anticipated undercard fights at UFC 187 this weekend
May 19, 2015 - 7:15:58 PM ROUNDTABLE: On the most anticipated undercard fights at UFC 187 this weekend

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Outside of the two title fights, which fight(s) are you most anticipating at UFC 187 this weekend?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Like all UFC fights that don't involve either pretty blonde girls or a criminal brawling at a press conference, There are a s***-ton (technical term) of excellent fights that no one is talking about. Talking about? Hell. Even most hardcores have forgotten that Travis Browne is fighting Andrei Arlovski. That Joseph Benavidez is fighting John Moraga. That John Dodson is fighting Zach Makovsky. That Justin Scoggins is fighting Josh Sampo. That Kim Dong-Hyun is fighting Josh Burkman. That Uriah Hall, Rose Namajunas, and Mike Pyle are fighting, well, that's as far as the top of my head goes.


DAYNE FOX, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

That would have been easy to answer before Khabib Nurmagomedov's knee injury, as his clash with Donald Cerrone had all sorts of eyes ready to tune in. Now I actually have to put some serious thought into the question as John Makdessi is no Khabib. I'll go with John Dodson vs. Zach Makovsky as both are cat quick, and Dodson has the most KO power in the division by far. Though I'm quite certain that Dodson will be the victor, I still expect it to be a fun fight. The clash between Joseph Benavidez and John Moraga could be fun too, but I actually expect that one to be more lopsided. And even though it isn't getting any attention, Josh Burkman and Dong-Hyun Kim should be a solid fight too.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

UFC 187 is the best MMA card I've ever seen on paper. From top to bottom, there are huge fights all over the place. John Makdessi steps in on short notice to fight Donald Cerrone. Travis Browne fights Andrei Arlovski. Joseph Benavidez fights John Moraga. Dong Hyun Kim fights Josh Burkman. Rose Namajunas fights Nina Ansaroff, and of course the two title fights. However, the fight I'm personally most anticipating is John Dodson vs. Zach Makovsky. I want to see what Dodson looks like because if he wins, he's likely to fight UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson next. That's a monster rematch to me, so I want to see how good Dodson looks. The other fights I named are ones I want to see, but give me Dodson-Makovsky and I'm set.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I always love to watch Donald Cerrone so no matter the opponent, including Makdessi, I am prepared and excited to see him get in the cage to continue his killing spree of the lightweight division. Cerrone is on tap for a title shot, and I hope we get a favorable outcome in this fight.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Benavidez vs. Moraga is a fight that is getting overlooked. These two are brilliant talents right at the doorstep of a title shot.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

I'm really looking forward to seeing John Dodson back in action after a year-long lay-off outside of the Octagon. He's one of very few that possesses pure punching power at 125 lbs. and is always in entertaining fights. I'm sure this will be no different when he faces number #9 ranked flyweight Zach Makovsky, who himself is currently 4-1 since making his flyweight debut two years ago. Makovsky has never been stopped via TKO/KO, so it will be very interesting to see if Dodson will be able to become the first to do so. A win here for Dodson and a title shot will undoubtedly be looming.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

It's not often I stay up to watch a west coast event live on TV, but I'll be making an exception for UFC 187. On paper it looks to be a fantastic card from top to almost the very bottom. Donald Cerrone vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a fight that needs to happen for relevance in the division, but in terms of entertainment value, John Makdessi as a replacement opponent for Cerrone will make it a more entertaining spectacle.

I never tire of watching Joseph Benavidez or John Dodson, and both have excellent calibre opponents in John Moraga and Zach Makovsky respectively. Dong Hyun Kim vs. Josh Burkman could be very good, or it could be very horrible like Burkman vs. Lombard. Then we've got Travis Browne vs. Andrei Arlovski, and who doesn't want to see that? This card has an abundance of star quality, and fingers crossed it lives up to the hype.