Thanks to the UFC making it a priority to get back to normal as soon as possible, we are now closing in on UFC 249.
The event has been shuffled, canceled and moved numerous times.
However, things are now in order for May 9 from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The card will mark the first of three to take place over a short amount of time in the arena, with no fans allowed inside due to COVID-19.
We are going to take a very in-depth look at the event as a way to prepare ourselves for the return of live mixed martial arts action. Up first are the planned UFC Fight Pass prelim bouts.
Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann Vs. Sam Alvey
Four consecutive wins in the UFC has Ryan Spann feeling good about himself. Spann is 17-5 overall and riding a seven-bout win streak that includes six wins by either knockout or submission.
Awaiting Spann will be the veteran Sam Alvey, who owns 33 career victories but is on a three-bout losing skid. Alvey is always active and always entertaining, having earned 22 stoppage wins.
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell Vs. Charles Rosa
The 25-year-old Bryce Mitchell is one of the top prospects in the game, sitting at 12-0 with three wins inside the Octagon. He scored a first round submission over Matt Sayles last December.
Charles Rosa will present one of his toughest tests to date, as Rosa is 12-3 with three wins since 2015 in the UFC. He has scored submissions over Manny Bermudez and Sean Soriano along with going to a split decision vs. Yair Rodriguez that did not go in his favor.
Welterweight: Vicente Luque Vs. Niko Price
After reeling off six consecutive wins inside the Octagon, Vicente Luque got his shot at Stephen Thompson. Luque lost via decision, but being inside the Octagon for 15 minutes at UFC 244 with the former title contender likely helped his confidence and game.
Niko Price, meanwhile, is coming off a first round knockout via upkick over James Vick that left him on the highlight reels for 2019. Price is 4-2 over his last six, with all four wins coming via stoppage.