José Aldo V Max Holloway: What will go down:

Can Max Holloway reach the mountain? 

The main event of UFC 212 sees an incredible matchup for the undisputed Featherweight title as José Aldo defends against Hawaii favourite and Interim champ Max 'Blessed' Holloway. Aldo recovered from his devastating December 2015 loss against Conor McGregor to reclaim the Interim crown from former for Frankie Edgar at UFC 200, before being promoted to the undisputed champion due to McGregor's inactivity in the divison, while Holloway compiled a 10 fight win streak including a knockout win over Anthony Pettis to claim the 145lbs Interim belt. A win for either man this weekend may set up a mouth watering rematch against current Lightweight king Conor McGregor, something that will most certainly be on the minds of both competitors heading to the octagon.

Aldo is arguably the greatest Featherweight to ever step foot into the sport and with a one of the best Muay Thai backgrounds in the game, the Manaus mauler is most certainly a phenomenal knockout artist. With ridiculous takedown defence, José Aldo is the true definition of a rounded fighter, with a BJJ black belt under reknowed trainer André Pederneiras in tow. Similar to compatriot Edson Barboza, Aldo possesses some of the nastiest leg kicks in the game past or present, and expect them to play a huge role in the tide of this bout. With multiple wins over Chad Mendes and Frankie 'The Answer' Edgar, Aldo holds the record for consecutive Featherweight title defences standing at an astonishing 7, but his 13 second downfall at the left hand of 'The Notorious' one threatens to tarnish the 30 year-old's legacy in the sport.

Opponent Max Holloway has faced some of the biggest killers at 145lbs and has passed with flying colours each time. Submitting Cub Swanson in spectacular fashion, decisioning the dangerous Jeremy Stephens and grappler Ricardo Lamas, and becoming the first man to finish 'Showtime' be that a shrunken 'Showtime'. A boxer at heart, the still fresh 25 year-old Holloway has a definite future in the sport regardless of result this weekend, and with a 10 fight meteoric rise, it's incredibly difficulty to go against 'Blessed'. Holloway in most certainly no slouch when it comes to grappling, but it will a tall order to utilise that BJJ purple belt with Aldo's Luta Livre or catch wrestling black belt under UFC 7 star Marco Ruas.

Aldo must implement a similar striking tactic displayed in his UFC 200 appearance against Frankie Edgar and avoid the striking exchanges evident in his Chad Mendes rematch. Aldo didn't utilise enough of his leg kicks against Edgar that I would have liked, but if he manages the same amount as he did against Urijah Faber, the movement of Holloway will be immobilised dearly. On the otherhand, Holloway can rely on his fantastic conditioning thoughout this bout. Holloway reached in a great deal with almost an oblique kick to close the distance against Pettis, so he must be cautious of the counter strikes of Aldo, which he used so precisely against Edgar in their second meeting.

José Aldo via split decision.

Please like, comment and follow for daily MMA news and opinions.

Requests:markeyross198.RM@gmail.com

•Twitter:Markey Martial Arts/Ross_Markey

•Facebook:Markey Martial Arts/RossMarkeyMMA

Ross