5 Main Card Predictions For UFC 180

Coming off a Pay-per-View that was really only saved by its main event (UFC 179) and a pair of UFC Fight Nights in a single weekend that couldn't have been more different (the exciting Fight Night 55 and disappointing Fight Night 56), the UFC returns with a conundrum of a card at UFC 180. Plagued by injuries that saw Diego Sanchez and Joe Lauzon, amongst others, both depart from the card, and a critical injury to headliner and heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, UFC 180 has lost a lot of its shine - but there are still three key fights that have major relevance to the featherweight, welterweight and heavyweight divisions. Not the least of these is the heavyweight division, where an interim heavyweight champion will be crowned. Since defeating Brock Lesnar years ago, Cain Velasquez has fought only two men, a total of five times between them: Antonio Silva (twice), and Junior Dos Santos (a trilogy of fights that saw Velasquez lose his belt in the first fight, defeat Silva to get another shot at JDS, then win it back, and defend against both men once more). A lower body injury felled the champ in training, however, meaning he will remain something of a mystery: how would he fare against Werdum and other top fighters, given his inactivity? In, meanwhile, is Mark Hunt, putting the icing on an incredible career comeback (the fighter at one point was on a six-fight losing streak). Hunt's popularity is a huge reason he's been given the nod here, as Stipe Miocic is arguably more deserving, and could have been moved up from his fight in December - and that fight is the reason hardcore MMA fans and old Pride era viewers will be tuning in. There are, however, bouts between Kelvin Gastelum and Jake Ellenberger, and Dennis Bermudez and Ricardo Lamas, that are critical to their respective divisions. So lets get to it - here are five main card predictions for UFC 180 in Mexico City!