The UFC 276 main card features five bouts, all of which will be previewed in this post. It will be capped by two title fights. The first is a trilogy bout between rivals and featherweight legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. The main event will be for the middleweight championship between the champ, Israel Adesanya and the challenger, Jared Cannonier.

You can read the previews for the early prelim card HERE and the prelim card HERE.

[6] Pedro Munhoz vs. [12] Sean O’Malley (Men’s Bantamweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Munhoz (#6 CC, #9 UFC) may have lost four of his last five. However, five of his last six opponents are either current or past UFC title holders. His average opponent rating is ridiculously high over a 16-fight UFC career. In four of those six bouts, he earned fight of the night honors. He keeps it exciting. Few bring more excitement than O’Malley (#12 CC, #13 UFC). O’Malley has devastating length and KO power for a man his size. However, this will be by far his toughest test to date. O’Malley has the physical attributes to win this, but will he be able to take on someone like Munhoz, who has experience and should be the better grappler? Time will tell, but too many people are sleeping on the veteran.

Editor’s Pick: Munhoz

[9] Robbie Lawler vs. Bryan Barberena (Men’s Welterweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Lawler (#9 CC, NR UFC) is the second-longest tenured fighter on the UFC roster (behind only Andrei Arlovski), having made his debut at UFC 37 in 2002. During that time, he became welterweight champion from December 2014 to July 2016. Lawler is a long way from his title days, having lost four of his last five. However, as his average opponent rating shows, he’s been in there with the best for a long time. Barberena is on a two-fight winning streak and will no doubt try to collect an impressive third against the former champ. He recently bested veteran Matt Brown, so he’s shown he can beat an experienced opponent. Barberena should look to utilize what should be a speed advantage in this one.

Editor’s Pick: Barberena

[2] Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira (Men’s Middleweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Strickland (#2 CC, #4 UFC) has been one of the more quietly (though not on social media) consistent fighters at middleweight. Since coming off of a motorcycle accident that nearly ended his career, Strickland has looked unhittable. He holds opponents to very low land rates and works behind a very good jab. His three losses in the UFC have all been at welterweight, being undefeated at 185 pounds. Strickland will need to be unhittable against one of the best strikers in the sport. Pereira is a multi-time kickboxing champion and holds two wins over Adesanya from their days on that circuit. He’s getting the knack for MMA now and has quick hands and ridiculous power. The CC forecaster does not recognize his kickboxing history, so the odds here don’t tell the whole story. This fight is closer than it looks, but if anyone has the game to nullify Pereira’s weapons, it’s Strickland.

Editor’s Pick: Strickland

[C] Alexander Volkanovski vs. [1] Max Holloway (Men’s Featherweight Championship)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: The trilogy everyone’s been waiting for is finally here. Volkanovski is running through the featherweight division at will, but his controversial split decision win over Holloway (#1 CC, #1 UFC) in 2020 still burns in the minds of many fans. Volkanovski has not had an easy road, but has cruised through nearly everyone put in front of him in the UFC. After losing in a regional Australian promotion in 2013, Volkanovski has rattled off 21 consecutive pro wins. This would surely be the sweetest. Holloway will have something to say about this. He holds the record for most strikes landed in UFC history and can give damage as well as anyone. He also takes a lot. The Holloway we’ve seen the last two fights is significantly different than the one who lost to Volkanovski twice. Expected the Hawaiian to deliver some more volume this time and pressure the champ in a way he may not have been before.

Editor’s Pick: Holloway

[C] Israel Adesanya vs. [4] Jared Cannonier (Men’s Middleweight Championship)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Adesanya is another dominant champ from down under and he’s run through the best of the best. With the exception of a one-off title shot at light heavyweight, Adesanya has been perfect. He is one of the most precise strikers in the promotion’s history and his length makes it difficult for any middleweight to do anything about it. The latest man to try will be Cannonier (#4 CC, #2 UFC). Cannonier is one of two men to have knockouts in three different weight classes. Though, he’s found a home at middleweight. He sealed his title shot with a devastating KO of Derek Brunson (#3 CC, #5 UFC) his last time out, beating him so badly, Brunson’s corner literally threw in the towel. He’ll hope to channel that against the champ. It will be tough, as Adesanya typically gets a read early and then it’s game over when he picks you apart from distance.

Editor’s Pick: Adesanya

Photo Credit: Grand Sierra Resort