UFC Ottawa: Four bouts to follow as the UFC returns to Canada

A host of UFC stars will look to elevate their stock on a UFC Ottawa fight card that looks set to offer plenty of intrigue - and no little action - in Canada this weekend.

The card is topped by a pair of pivotal battles in the UFC lightweight and middleweight divisions, while further down the card there is a host of rising prospects looking to force their way towards the UFC's rankings list.

Here are our four key bouts to follow this weekend:

AL IAQUINTA VS DONALD CERRONE

'Raging' Al Iaquinta has lost just once in his last seven outings - against reigning lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov in a super-short-notice fight at UFC 223 - and in his last performance defeated Kevin Lee to cement his credentials as a dangerous fringe threat to the lightweight title.

Victory over Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone would bolster Iaquinta's reputation as he looks to force his way into a title eliminator bout at 155lbs, but wily veteran Cerrone has rediscovered his form in recent fights.

After losing four out of five fights between January 2017 and June 2018, Cerrone bounced back with a submission win over Mike Perry at 170lbs, then dropped back down to lightweight and put trash-talking lightweight prospect Alexander Hernandez in his place with a superb TKO finish in Brooklyn in January, telling the fans afterwards that "The old man's still got it!"

The winner could find themselves just a fight or two away from a possible shot at the title at 155lbs, so expect both men to be on their game. They're two of the biggest characters - and most exciting fighters - in the UFC's lightweight division, so this one should deliver a spectacular main event.

DEREK BRUNSON VS ELIAS THEODOROU

Two fringe contenders at middleweight will look to push themselves firmly into the title conversation as big-punching Derek Brunson takes on the elusive Canadian star Elias Theodorou.

For Theodorou, it's the biggest opportunity of his career as he faces a dangerous, highly-ranked, opponent knowing that victory will put him right in the mix.

The Canadian says he is the smarter man than the often-headstrong American, and he will make "sprinter" Brunson feel what it's like to run a "marathon".

It's a matchup between Brunson's power and Theodorou's elusiveness and cardio, and it will offer a fascinating clash of style on fight night.

CUB SWANSON VS SHANE BURGOS

Respected featherweight veteran Cub Swanson returns to action looking to re-establish his credentials at the sharp end of the UFC's 145lb division, and he'll face off against a dance partner who will willingly stand and give him a true fight.

Shane Burgos has lost just once in his mixed martial arts career, and has finished all but two of his career victories, including his most recent win - a first-round armbar submission of Kurt Holobaugh at UFC 230 last November. He'll see Swanson as a potential big-name scalp and the biggest win of his career.

Swanson's last three fights in the UFC all ended in defeat, as top contenders Brian Ortega, Frankie Edgar and Renato Moicano all did enough to best the Southern California native.

But Swanson remains one of the elite competitors at 145lbs, and will look to prove that fact against rising prospect Burgos.

Expect Swanson to fight for his life as he bids to halt his losing run, while Burgos will battle to claim the biggest victory of his mixed martial arts career. It has all the ingredients for a potential fight of the night.

ARJAN BHULLAR VS JUAN ADAMS

A look further down the card sees a heavyweight matchup that could well kick off an interesting storyline in the UFC's biggest division.

Canadian Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar is looking to kick off a win streak after bouncing back into the win column in his last fight. But the wrestling standout will be facing a big, strong, dangerous striker in the form of the undefeated prospect Juan Adams.

Adams' story heading into this fight is a particularly interesting one, as he has been a vocal opponent of the way the UFC are pushing fellow heavyweight prospect Greg Hardy. He has repeatedly called for a fight against the disgraced former NFL star, and is sure to mention his name again if he continues his successful run with victory over Bhullar this weekend.

Adams has finished all of his opponents by TKO, with all bar one of those finishes coming in the first round. How he deals with Bhullar's wrestling will be crucial to his success, while Canada's Bhullar will look to take the big Texan off his feet and dominate him on the mat.

It's another clash of styles, and one well worth tuning in early for - it's the second bout of the night.