MANILA, Philippines — Two matches, featuring the top featherweight fighters in the men’s and women’s divisions, highlight the UFC 240 today at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Reigning champion Max Holloway, currently sixth in the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings, slugs it out with No. 4 and former lightweight title-holder Frankie Edgar in a match that has been long overdue. The two were supposed to mix it up in UFC 218 and UFC 222 but both face-offs were rescheduled due to the fighters’ injuries, making today’s showdown worth watching on FOX+.
Holloway defended his crown against Brian Ortega in Toronto in UFC 231 where his well-placed aggression helped him break three records – most significant strikes in one fight (290), most landed significant strikes (134) and most victories in UFC featherweight class (15).
But Edgar is out to stop Holloway with the former wrestler raring to flash the form that netted him victories over ex-world champions Hermes Franca, Sean Sherk, Urijah Faber and BJ Penn, whom he disposed of thrice, including at UFC 112 where he snared the lightweight crown.
Spicing up the event is the clash for the women’s tiara between Cris Cyborg and Felicia Spencer with the former out to regain her winning ways after her 21-win streak, that included victories over Holly Holm, Yana Kunitskaya and Tonya Evinger, was snapped by Amanda Nunes last December.
Against Spencer, Cyborg will be facing a virtual UFC novice who is a mixed martial artist and currently holds the Invicta FC featherweight plum.
After racking up six victories at Invicta FC, Spencer signed up with the UFC last March and won her first UFC match against Megan Anderson via rear naked choke last May.
Ranged against a veteran rival, Spencer hopes to put her knowledge in taekwondo, jiu jitsu and kickboxing into full use for a rare crack at UFC glory.