The UFC matchmakers are busy sending out contracts. In the current MMA odds and ends I will give my thoughts on two new bouts for UFC 237, including a possible No. 1 competition struggle from the featherweight division, and my first reactions to two new bouts fights for UFC Russia.
Jose Aldo vs. Alexander Volkanovski, UFC 237
Featherweight contenders Jose Aldo and Alexander Volkanovski are set to battle at UFC 237 at a potential title eliminator. The card takes place May 11 in Jeunesse Arena at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and information of the bout was initially shown by MMA journalist Farah Hannoun. Aldo (28-4) is 10-3 in the UFC and is coming off of back-to-back knockout wins over Renato Moicano and Jeremy Stephens. Following a rough stretch which saw him get pumped three times in four fights, Aldo looks better than ever and is making a late-career run to the belt he once held for years. Volkanovski (19-1) is 6-0 at the UFC and in his last departure brutally knocked out Chad Mendes. Many consider him a prospective featherweight champion, and this fight should tell us a lot about that. This is a tremendous fight, rather than an easy one to call. Aldo will probably be favored due to his name value and Octagon experience, but Volkanovski has looked incredible in the UFC and ought to be a live puppy in this bout.
Thiago Alves vs. Laureano Staropoli, UFC 237
Experienced welterweight Thiago Alves yields at UFC 237 if he takes on prospect Laureano Staropoli. MMAFighting.com broke the information. Alves (23-13) is currently 15-10 overall from the UFC and most recently won a controversial split decision over Max Griffin. Staropoli (8-1) is riding a six-fight win series and in his UFC debut won a”Battle of the Night” bonus because of his conclusion win over Hector Aldana. At this point you have to fade Alves and I would favor the 26-year-old Staropoli to win this bout. But considering he is an unknown, it is possible he’ll be an underdog in this bout, so keep your eye out for him.
Sultan Aliev vs. Keita Nakamura, UFC Fight Night 149
Welterweights Sultan Aliev and Keita Nakamura are set to clash at UFC Fight Night 149, occurring April 20 in Yubileyny Sports Palace at St. Petersburg, Russia. Nakamura replaced the injured Emil Weber Meek on relatively short notice with this bout. Aliev (14-3) is just 1-2 in the UFC and most recently was completed by Warlley Alves. Nakamura (34-9-2, 1 NC) is 4-6 overall in the UFC, including a 4-3 mark in his next stint inside the Octagon. In his last fight, he edged out a split decision over Salim Touahri. Both guys are going to be on the chopping block with a loss, and this fight looks like a close one. I would prefer Nakamura slightly simply because of his durability, but it could go either way.
Abdul-Kerim Edilov vs. Devin Clark, UFC Fight Night 149
A light heavyweight bout between Abdul Kerim-Edilov and Devin Clark can be slated for UFC Fight Night 149. Edilov (17-4) has not fought since a September 2017 knockout win over Bojan Mihaljovic and has only one battle since 2015. However, he is just 27-years-old and is now riding an 11-fight win streak dating back to 2013. He is a bit of a wild card at 205lbs, but overall seems like a promising prospect if he could remain healthy and stay out of trouble with USADA. Clark (9-3) is 3-3 at the UFC and is coming from a brutal TKO loss to Aleksandar Rakic. At this point it is just very difficult to trust that the chin of Clark, and a hard-hitter like Edilov will be favored to beat him in this fight.
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