UFC 211: Three Fights You Don't Want To Miss

The UFC returns to Dallas, Texas, on Saturday night for its first event in three weeks. And the line-up of fights on show at the American Airlines Center is packed full of intriguing fights, with two championships on the line.

The headline bout pits heavyweight king Stipe Miocic against former champion Junior dos Santos in a rematch of their thrilling five-round contest from December 2013. The Brazilian got his hand raised on that occasion, but both men came away with huge credit — more of the same please.

READ MORE: JUNIOR DOS SANTOS – FIGHTING FOR MORE THAN JUST THE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE AT UFC 211

The women’s strawweight strap will also be on the line on Saturday night between Jessica Andrade and undefeated champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

However, away from the two headline fights, there are several interesting match-ups which promise excitement and intrigue in equal measure. Here are the three UFC 211 fights you don’t want to miss.

Demian Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal – Welterweight

READ MORE: DEMIAN MAIA CANNOT BE DENIED A UFC TITLE SHOT MUCH LONGER

Brazilian grappler Demian Maia has already done more than enough to earn a title shot at 170lbs, winning six fights in a row as part of a wider run of nine victories in 11 outings since dropping down from middleweight in 2012.

The 39-year-old jiu jitsu specialist faces a tricky opponent in the form of the experienced and well-rounded Jorge Masvidal.

Masvidal, who has won his last three contests, comes into this one off the back of arguably the most impressive win of his career — a TKO victory over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in January. Whoever wins this one could be next in line to take on welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.

Frankie Edgar vs. Yair Rodriguez – Featherweight

In a battle of wily veteran versus dynamic and exciting youngster, former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar hopes to make one more push for the 145lbs title against 25-year-old Mexican standout Yair Rodríguez.

Rodríguez shot into the limelight with his impressive, one-sided victory over future Hall of Fame certainty BJ Penn — whom Edgar holds three career wins over — and will be looking to take another high-profile scalp by overcoming his 35-year-old opponent.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier – Lightweight

Eddie Alvarez’s last Octagon appearance didn’t exactly go to plan, losing his lightweight championship to Conor McGregor in November last year. The American Top Team wrestle-boxer will take on the hard-hitting, submission savvy Dustin Poirier at UFC 211.

Poirier has impressed since jumping up to lightweight from 145lbs, with five wins from six outings, three of which by stoppage.

In a bout which would seem to guarantee fireworks, both men will be looking to keep this one standing and each will believe that they have the superior power and striking technique.