UFC 174 Fight Preview

UFC 174 is an important event in the eyes of the organization’s brass. For the first time, a flyweight (125 lbs.) bout is headlining a major Pay-Per-View event. If the card sells well, the UFC will likely consider promoting its newest weight class more heavily and giving it more fights on Pay-Per-View cards. 

The knock on the fighters in the lower weight classes has been that, although they are technically sound, they have trouble finishing fights and fan-friendly knockouts are rare. After seeing bantamweight TJ Dillashaw light up Renan Barão at UFC 173, however, fans sleep on this Main Event at their own peril.

The organization’s sixth Pay-Per-View event of the year will take Saturday place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, the third time the UFC has hosted an event in the City of Glass. Co-Main Event fighter and Montreal native Rory MacDonald will be the fan favorite as he looks to put himself in position to replace national hero Georges St. Pierre at the top of the welterweight division. Here’s everything else you need to know about this weekend’s fight card.

Fight with the Best KO/TKO Potential

Brendan Schaub vs. Andrei Arlovski

The Belarusian Arlovski was a UFC Heavyweight champion in the organization’s much younger days, but has been fighting in other organizations for the last six years. He makes his return to the Octagon at the age of 35, hoping to mount a comeback in the wide-open heavyweight division.

Andre Arlovski Returns to the UFC

Schaub (pictured) is four years Arlovski’s junior, but has the same goal as the former champ: make a run at Cain Velasquez’s title. Unlike the grizzled veteran, however, Schaub is a member of the new guard in the UFC, an alumnus of season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter. On the show, he finished every opponent he fought in the first round until Roy Nelson knocked him out in finale. ‘The Hybrid’ Schaub is currently ranked 14^th on the heavyweight contender list and a win over a champion like Arlovski should move him up the ladder. Both fighters have reason to make a splash with a big knockout here.

Most Underrated Matchup

Ryan Bader vs. Rafael Cavalcante

At this point in his career, the Reno, Nev. native is desperate for a marquee win to add to his ledger, as recent attempts against Glover Teixeira and Lyoto Machida have ended in knockout losses. He has another shot at a worthy opponent in Cavalcante, a former Strikeforce champion who moved to the UFC in 2013 and has split his first two fights with the organization. This is his first appearance on Pay-Per-View, but he’s already ranked No. 11 in the light heavyweight rankings and is coming off a first-round submission of Igor Pokrajac. He has 12 wins total as a professional and each one has been via a knockout. Make sure to tune in early enough to catch this undercard bout.

Important Quote: “I’ve fought pretty much every name in this sport, but for me I feel like I’m just hitting my stride. Now is the time for me to start making that run from going from 9 or 10 to 5 or 6 and then to No. 1 contender and champion.”-Ryan Bader

Most Intriguing Matchup

Demetrious Johnson vs. Ali Bagautinov

Johnson owns a career mark of 19-2-1 and hasn’t lost since 2011, when Dominick Cruz defeated him in a bantamweight title fight. To date, he’s the only flyweight champ in UFC history and if he beats Bagautinov, he’ll become just the 10^th fighter in UFC history to defend a belt four times. However, after Dillashaw dominated the supposedly invincible Barão, it will be interesting to see whether Johnson as well has been feasting on a somewhat weak list of opponents and whether he can handle Bagautinov, who has yet to lose in the UFC (3-0). For my money, Johnson seems to be in a better spot than Barão. The champ is coming off one of the best fights of his career, against top contender Joseph Benavidez.

Important Quote: “I think mixed martial arts is just like wrestling. You’re going to compete with the best in the world. You’re going to compete with a lot of different people and you can get beat on any given night. You can lose on any give night. I know when I fight at UFC 174, I know I can lose that belt. I know that can happen.”-Demetrious Johnson

Dylan Sinn is a freelance contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSinn or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Getty