Three titles are on the line tonight at UFC 214, and when it comes to the odds, a couple are reasonably close, and the thirds a blowout. <\/p>\n
Tonya Evinger (19-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is a massive underdog against Cristiane Justino (17-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) when they fight for the vacant womens featherweight title, the first championship bout of the night at UFC 214. The event takes place at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FXX and UFC Fight Pass. <\/p>\n
Cyborg is as much as a 13-1 favorite over Evinger, and that number is high for a few reasons. For starters, Justino is a featherweight, and Evinger is moving up from bantamweight for the opportunity. Both are former Invicta FC champions. But Evinger also is taking the fight on relatively short notice after Megan Anderson dropped out. <\/p>\n
Justino has blitzed through most of the opposition in her career. And she widely is expected to do the same to the reasonably unheralded Evinger. <\/p>\n
But UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby believes theres a way Evinger could pull off a stunner. <\/p>\n
I think Tonya Evinger is probably the best fighter youve never heard of, Shelby said as part of the UFCs Watch List video for UFC 214. (Shes) just an uber-talent on the ground. And I think if you fight Cris Cyborg, if theres anywhere shes to be beaten, I think the best chance is on the ground and thats what Evinger does best. <\/p>\n
She is a phenomenal grappler. She has an incredible win streak, an incredible career, so much experience it will be really interesting to see if she can go in there and get Cyborg to the ground. I mean, nobodys going to stand there with Cris, right? Lets be serious. <\/p>\n
Can Evinger get Cyborg to the ground, out of her striking comfort zone, and pull off the upset? Well find out tonight. <\/p>\n
Also on the main card, Shelby and fellow matchmaker Mick Maynard discuss with broadcaster Jon Anik light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and his rematch with Jon Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) in the main event, plus welterweight champ Tyron Woodley (17-3-1 MMA, 7-2-1 UFC) and his title fight against Demian Maia (25-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC). <\/p>\n
The gentlemen also break down Donald Cerrone (32-7 MMA, 19-4 UFC) vs. former welterweight champ Robbie Lawler (27-11 MMA, 12-5 UFC), and top light heavyweight contender Jimi Manuwa (17-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on the main card. Plus, they look at the featured preliminary card featherweight bout between Jason Knight (17-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) and Ricardo Lamas (17-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC). <\/p>\n
Check out the Watch List video above. <\/p>\n
And for more on UFC 214, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site. <\/p>\n
The Blue Corner is MMAjunkies official blog and is edited by Mike Bohn. <\/p>\n
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There's a way Tonya Evinger can pull off an all-time upset of 'Cyborg' at UFC 214 - MMAjunkie.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Three titles are on the line tonight at UFC 214, and when it comes to the odds, a couple are reasonably close, and the thirds a blowout. Tonya Evinger (19-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is a massive underdog against Cristiane Justino (17-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) when they fight for the vacant womens featherweight title, the first championship bout of the night at UFC 214. The event takes place at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Continue reading