Here, you will find my “Super 8” fight ratings for UFC 213. Every UFC card is a mixed bag, and often the highlights are sprinkled throughout the entire lineup. However, fight night is always full of distractions for the home viewer. You know how it is: You need to make a beer run, pay the pizza delivery guy or head to the bathroom every half hour. In order to time your intermissions wisely, please consult this helpful list, wherein I have ranked the top eight fights -- the Octagon has eight sides, of course -- on the card from most promising to least, based on relevance, style matchup and the promise of action:
For me, this is a clear winner. By my reckoning, Romero and Whittaker are the two best middleweights in the world. With a 15-fight winning streak between them, these men will fight tooth and nail, both believing that the winner is almost guaranteed to hold the true title before long. Amazing athleticism, creative striking and wrestling and fight-ending power on both sides make this fight an event in and of itself. Do not miss it.
2. Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller
Miller can always be counted on for a good time. That is because he is always himself, without fail, and that means he is always looking for the finish. The same can be said of Pettis, a former champion who returns to lightweight with a bowed head after suffering the first TKO loss of his career at the hands of Max Holloway. Pettis does not always dazzle like he used to, but he is as tough as they come and he is certainly not done yet. Standing or on the ground, this fight should deliver serious action.
3. Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko
The main event is sure to please. The only reason I rank it third is that I suspect Nunes will give Shevchenko a slow start that she will have no desire to interrupt. So while tense, it could be more Tyron Woodley-Stephen Thompson 1 than Jose Aldo-Chad Mendes 2. The queen is the best piece on the chess board, and that makes it hard to put at risk. I think both of these ladies know that.
4. Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem
At times it has been both weird and frustrating, but this pairing of heavyweight greats has always been interesting. Both men have glaring weaknesses and yet both have greatly exceeded expectations in the past. Also, both have lost in humiliating fashion, several times apiece. Intriguing, astounding or appalling, this will be a rubber match worth watching.
5. Daniel Omielanczuk vs. Curtis Blaydes
The UFC made the right choice elevating this bout to the main card. Though a mere heavyweight bout could never surpass the excitement that would have been Robbie Lawler-Donald Cerrone, Blaydes is an exciting prospect on the rise. Look out for his aggressive approach to both striking and wrestling; and be wary of Omielanczuk, a hard man to finish and a veteran with a few nasty tricks up his sleeves. This fight means something, and that is worth tuning in for.
6. Rob Font vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
Two crafty bantamweights with noses for the finish meet in this exciting matchup. Font has only lost once in the UFC, and Andrade seems to have finally graduated from crushing cans to outclassing top-shelf opposition. Expect a healthy mixture of technique and explosive creativity.
7. Chad Laprise vs. Brian Camozzi
Sometimes you just want to see a kickboxing bout in four-ounce gloves. Though Laprise and Camozzi both have some respectable grappling skills, neither is often compelled to grapple when there is a fellow striker to be faced. Camozzi will dwarf Laprise in terms of height and reach, but Laprise’s speed and accuracy will be a constant thorn in his side.
8. Jordan Mein vs. Belal Muhammad
This is a perfect fight for those just checking in when the televised prelims start. Two crafty strikers who live and die by the sword, this bout should be a pleasant precursor for the violence to come. Mein has been fighting a long time, and one never knows what new looks he may try in a fight. Muhammad, on the other hand, is a straightforward kickboxer who likes to chip away at his foes with constant pressure. It is just a solid matchup of styles.
Connor Ruebusch is an analyst of striking and boxing technique for Sherdog.com, as well as BloodyElbow.com and BadLeftHook.com. He has written hundreds of articles examining fighting form and strategy, and he is not done yet. Every Wednesday he talks about the finer points of face-punching on his podcast Heavy Hands. Though he dabbles in fantasy MMA, he is not a regular gambler, nor is he an expert in the field. If you use these predictions as a betting guide, please do so in combination with your own best judgment and a healthy pinch of salt. It is your money.