UFC 212 Aldo vs. Holloway Preview and Prediction

In one of the most anticipated MMA fights of the year, Jose Aldo will take on Max Holloway in UFC 212 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday, in a unification featherweight title bout.  In what will more than likely be the highest selling PPV of 2017, Aldo, arguably the greatest fighter in featherweight history, faces Holloway, an extremely confident, talented 25 year old fighter.

Aldo is 26-2, and hasn't suffered a loss in 11 years, while Holloway is red hot as well, currently riding a 10-fight win streak, with his last loss coming to Conor McGregor in 2013. Aldo is known as a master of defending takedowns as numerous of his past opponents have have found it nearly impossible to hold him down.  He is a great striker, has tremendous power, experience and recently defeated Frankie Edgar, who is a great fighter in his own.  His kickboxing skills are superior too.

One knock on Aldo is that he is not great at grappling, and came up when fighters were much more one dimensional. If he does go on to win the fight, it will more than likely be on the mat.  Holloway is on a legendary win streak himself and has looked unbeatable the past 10 bouts.  He is a good wrestler and a brilliantly striker.  He usually fights at a rapid pace and is known for having straight long punches.  Holloway is five years younger than Aldo and usually carries an abundance of momentum throughout his fights.

This should be an epic fight between two of the best featherweights in the game today.  Holloway is as confident as you can get, while Aldo knows it will be rather difficult to end his winning streak.  If Aldo makes it a grappling match and is able to take Holloway down then I think he will be victorious on the mat.  If Holloway uses his cage awareness, speed, striking skills, and low kick ability, then he should win.  This is a a hard fight to pick, but I have to give the edge to Aldo, as he is tough to beat in his native country of Brazil.  I say Aldo wins by a unanimous decision.