UFC Fight Night 92 Preview
The featherweight division is in a funny place right now and a unique place as the division is headed by the most charismatic fighter on the UFC roster.
Conor McGregor is the loudest and the highest earning fighter in the UFC regardless of weight class.
He is one of the biggest names right now and as a result, he can essentially call his shots.
The UFC may not want to admit it but if McGregor wants to fight a lightweight they will let him fight at lightweight because he sells tickets and pay-per-views.
That kind of freedom puts the featherweight division in a unique position as they are almost at the mercy of McGregor.
That has already had its impact as McGregor took the title against Aldo and then decided to move up to lightweight to fight for the title in that weight class.
That fight fell through and he was given a fight in the welterweight division against Nate Diaz.
After he lost that fight he immediately wanted a rematch against Diaz and that is what he got as he will fight Diaz at UFC 202, again at welterweight.
All of his extra plans have put the featherweight division without a real title fight since December.
In the meantime, Jose Aldo has taken the interim title and seems to be willing to wait for McGregor to return to the weight class.
It has created the all-too-familiar log jam in the division with plenty of young fighters making their way up the rankings and looking for a title shot.
Fighters like Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira are making their way through the best in the division looking up at the title.
They may have to wait though and for a fighter like Holloway who has one of the longest active win streaks in the UFC that will be frustrating.
As the logjam continues more fighters are trying to get their names thrown into the mix among the top contenders in the title race.
Two such fighters will headline the latest fight night looking to get their names in the title conversation as everyone awaits for the next title fight to see where the best fighters will fall.
On one side is a former top prospect in the decision and a huge personality in Alex Caceres.
Caceres made his way to the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter in 2010 and since then he has constantly stuck around.
He has not been the most consistent fighter in the UFC as he has seen some winning streaks and some losing streaks.
He constantly puts on great fights though and as a result, he sticks around in the UFC.
Now he rides a two-fight win streak heading into UC Fight Night 92 and will look to take his unique and unpredictable style into what could be a big win.
He will be in tough though as TUF: Latin America winner, Yair Rodriguez has proven to be one of the best prospects in the division.
With three straight wins, Rodriguez has taken his chance from a reality show and run with it as he continues to put on great fights.
He has great stand-up with a concentration on his kicks which he fully displayed in his last fight earning a head kick KO of Andre Fili.
After that win, he was hoping to move up in competition and take on higher ranked opponents to try to get to the title.
He didn’t get that but he did get a challenge as he now has to deal with a fighter who will throw anything at any time.
The worst part for Rodriguez is that he has little to gain but a lot to lose should he fall victim to those unpredictable strikes.
If he doesn’t he adds to his winning streak and will likely then begin to move up the rankings with bigger and better fights.
Both Caceres and Rodriguez are looking to take advantage of the log jam at the top of the division.
If either can win they can begin moving up the rankings and they may just find themselves in a title challenger spot by the time the championship is determined.
The Sport Addiction 