UFC Mexico City preview: RDA's long way back

A seat atop the UFC's most talent-rich division is less cushy than one might assume. Just ask Rafael dos Anjos, who was stripped of his lofty status in less than four minutes this past July.

The former UFC lightweight champion was dethroned by perennial underdog Eddie Alvarez - by first-round TKO - at UFC Fight Night 90.

Since then, the incessant hoopla surrounding the jumbled title picture has made dos Anjos' reign seem like a lifetime ago, when he's in fact outclassed heavy hitters Donald Cerrone, Nate Diaz, and Anthony Pettis – the man he usurped at UFC 185 – in the last two years.

The Brazilian's No. 2 spot in the division should put him within arm's reach of a shot at reclaiming what was his just four months ago - but a certain someone named Conor McGregor stands in the way of his return to title contention.

The Irishman is scheduled to challenge Alvarez in UFC 205's marquee matchup on Nov. 12, while top-ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov has further complicated matters by threatening to leave the promotion if a victory over Michael Johnson on the same card doesn't get his number called next.

Of course, dos Anjos can't recapture his former glory without getting through Tony Ferguson in Saturday's main event at UFC Fight Night 98. The 32-year-old's own rise has been a slow burn, its incline not nearly as steep as the Brazilian's. "El Cucuy" brings a three-year, eight-fight unbeaten streak to the bout, and while staunch proponents of the ageless meritocracy may be singing his praises, Ferguson himself hasn't fussed over the accolades or the title shot that have thus far eluded his resume.

Dos Anjos and Ferguson are sure to draw blood and spark fireworks, but their division's enthralling, yet far from stable title picture will likely keep the victor from an immediate shot at the strap.

La Nueva Generacion

What kind of "TUF: Latin America" finale would it be if the card wasn't loaded with homegrown talent?

All but three of the bouts feature at least one fighter hailing from either Mexico, Brazil, or Peru, including the series' newest finalists, Martin Bravo and Claudio Puelles. As per longstanding custom, the young bulls will duke it out for a six-figure contract on the main card - but a fellow prospect could prematurely rob them of their thunder.

Also making her debut on the main card is Mexico's Alexa Grasso. The 23-year-old has spent the past two years putting clown suits on whomever Invicta FC cruelly puts in front of her, and will look to make her mark in a women's strawweight division running low on contenders. Heather Jo Clark, 36, will shoulder the tall task of welcoming Grasso to the Octagon.

Sink or Swim

As if joining a stacked division in the world's preeminent promotion wasn't daunting enough, an import from across the pond will make his first UFC showing against a veritable leviathan.

Bellator alum Marcin Held will be in for a rude initiation when he meets prickly veteran Diego Sanchez in the lightweight co-main event. The Polish product brings a vaunted ground game and bottomless gusto to his promotional debut, but none of his former foes have tested those assets like Sanchez will on fight night.

The 34-year-old is far removed from his days as a contender, but his motor revs just as angrily now as when he won the first season of "TUF" 11 years ago. Sanchez has quietly settled into a gatekeeper role since falling to then-champion BJ Penn at UFC 107, and can still flip his switch to stage a throwback scrap with the best of them.

Simply put, "The Nightmare" is just the man to test Held's mettle.

For more coverage of UFC Fight Night 98, check out theScore's fight predictions