The UFC matchmakers are busy sending out contracts. In the current MMA odds and ends I’ll present my thoughts on two fresh spells for UFC 237, including a possible No. 1 contender fight in the featherweight division, and my first reactions to 2 new bouts struggles 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 possible title eliminator. The card takes place May 11 in Jeunesse Arena at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and information of the bout was initially revealed by MMA journalist Farah Hannoun. Aldo (28-4) is 10-3 at the UFC and is coming off of back-to-back knockout wins over Renato Moicano and Jeremy Stephens. Following a rough stretch that saw him get pumped three times in four fights, Aldo appears better than ever and can be making a late-career run to the belt that he held for several 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 a simple one to predict. Aldo will probably be favored because of his name value and Octagon expertise, but Volkanovski has appeared incredible in the UFC and should be a live dog in this bout.
Thiago Alves vs. Laureano Staropoli, UFC 237
Veteran welterweight Thiago Alves returns at UFC 237 when he takes on prospect Laureano Staropoli. MMAFighting.com broke the news. Alves (23-13) is 15-10 complete 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”Fight of the Night” bonus for 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’s 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 battle UFC Fight Night 149, occurring April 20 at Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. Nakamura replaced the wounded Emil Weber Meek on relatively short notice for 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 second stint within the Octagon. In his last battle, he edged a split decision over Salim Touahri. Both men are going to be on the chopping block with a loss, and this fight resembles a near 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 is also slated for UFC Fight Night 149. Edilov (17-4) hasn’t fought since a September 2017 knockout win over Bojan Mihaljovic and contains only one fight since 2015. However, he is just 27-years-old and is currently riding an 11-fight win streak dating back to 2013. He’s a small wild card at 205lbs, but overall seems like a promising prospect if he can stay healthy and stay out of trouble with USADA. Clark (9-3) is 3-3 in the UFC and is coming from a brutal TKO loss to Aleksandar Rakic. Now it is just very difficult to trust the chin of Clark, and also a hard-hitter such as Edilov will be favored to beat him in this battle.
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