It has been a while since we’ve had a live UFC event, but the UFC on FUEL TV 9 card will break the drought on Saturday afternoon. However, we have lost the much anticipated main event between UFC light heavyweight’s Alexander Gustafsson and Gegard Mousasi.
A relatively unknown newcomer named Ilir Latifi has been named to replace Gustafsson, which has drastically changed the anticipation for this event. The card was largely depending on the main event to carry the weight as the rest of the card does not have much to offer. Also, the winner of the Gustafsson/Mousasi fight would put themselves in a great spot to potentially challenge for the title later this year. Anyways, let take a look at the top three questions going into this event:
Will the UFC on FUEL TV 9 event break the 200,000 viewer mark?
The main event features two fighters that are basically unknown to UFC fans. The hardcore fans are familiar with Mousasi, but he is also making his UFC debut. The two o’clock (2 p.m. ET) start time will be a factor as well. However, the NCAA Final Four will basically start after the UFC event is over which is good news for the UFC. UFC programming has been breaking all kinds of records over the past year. The UFC on FUEL TV 8 had a great rating for FUEL TV, but the card aired during the same time slot as UFC PPV’s on a Saturday night. I wouldn’t bet on this one surpassing 200K, but anything is possible I suppose.
Will Mousasi be able to make a splash in his UFC debut?
I can stress how important a fighter’s UFC debut can be. Do you remember when Houston Alexander starched Keith Jardine in his UFC debut at UFC 71? It was like he was the second coming!! Do you remember when Anderson Silva destroyed Chris Leben in his UFC debut? Of course you do. Mousasi has basically been told that a fastball is coming right down the middle and it’s up to him to hit it out of the park. That’s easier said than done, but there’s a reason he’s a HUGE betting favorite going into the fight with Latifi. Mousasi has fought much better competition and will have a tremendous advantage since Latifi only stands 5’8″ tall. Now, Latifi will be fighting on his home turf in Sweden and anything can happen in MMA. However, Mousasi should look like a world beater in this one and get some UFC highlight reel footage to help promote future fights.
Can Marcus Brimage keep his winning streak going?
Since this card isn’t offering too much regarding title contention, etc. I want to give some love to Marcus Brimage who’s fighting on the preliminary card that will be airing on Facebook. Brimage has won four consecutive fights (three in the UFC) and is coming off a big win over Jimy Hettes in his last outing at UFC 152. The TUF 14 alum will turn 28 years old in a few days but is still very young in the sport with only seven fights. He’ll be fighting Conor McGregor who is making his UFC debut after fighting in the Cage Warriors FC promotion and winning their featherweight and lightweight titles. A win for Brimage here will certainly for others to take notice in the featherweight division and potentially put him in line to take on a top 10 fighter. Be sure to tune in on Saturday afternoon.