Calgary Set the Bar for UFC 227

(Via: MMA News)

UFC on FOX: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 was able to deliver based on star power alone and then some. The Calgary crowd was treated to six finishes, a back and forth Fight of the Night between Ross Pearson and John Makdessi, a return to form from Jose Aldo, and a stellar main event. Dana White and crew certainly removed any doubts that Calgary was a bad omen of MMA, as the promotions’ last foray in the city produced arguably the worst event in UFC history with UFC 149.

The second installment of Poirier-Alvarez was finally able to deliver a finish, albeit not without controversy. Poirier was able to out-strike Alvarez 20-18 in the first round at a lower percentage, two of three judges had scored the round 10-9 for Alvarez. Up against the cage, Poirier was able to lock in a tight guillotine and Alvarez’s forward motion sent his fingers into the links. Referee Marc Goddard was quick to point this out, a move that many had questioned but was ultimately the right call to be made. Shortly after, Alvarez was able to gain top position, grabbing the fence once more and landing the exact illegal strike his corner, who were seating directly in front of the action, had been calling for. Goddard was forced to stand up the fighters due to Alvarez’s blatant 12-6 elbow, and with this, Poirier was able to capitalize landing a barrage of strikes leading to the TKO victory. All told, Poirier out-landed 76-35 total strikes and this win could form a number one contender matchup with “El Cucuy” Tony Ferguson later this year.

Notable performances from the likes of: Devin Powell, Dustin Ortiz, Ion Cutelaba, Alexander Hernandez and former champs Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Jose Aldo were able to anchor this card as one of the best in recent memory. The Fight Pass prelims began at 4 pm ET, and the fights were over shortly after 10 pm ET, which also resonated with fans.

On August fourth, the UFC makes its return to Los Angeles with UFC 227. The event features two title fights, Dillashaw-Garbrandt and Johnson-Cejudo, but apart from those two fights it feels lost when compared to UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs Poirier 2. The main card includes a top featherweight matchup between #5 Cub Swanson and #10 Renato Moicano, and then tails off with unranked women’s strawweights Polyana Viana and JJ Aldrich, and #13 middleweight Thiago Santos and UFC newcomer Kevin Holland.

With injuries responsible for the cancellation of Gustafsson-Oezdemir, we’re left with a bland pay-per-view that isn’t expected to draw in big numbers. UFC fans were certainly spoiled with the free card this Saturday, and Calgary was able to set a high bar that UFC 227 isn’t likely going to be able to reach.