The UFC matchmakers have been busy sending out contracts. In today’s MMA odds and ends I’ll give my thoughts on two fresh spells for UFC 237, including a potential No. 1 contender fight in the featherweight division, and my first reactions to 2 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 in a possible title eliminator. The card takes place May 11 at Jeunesse Arena at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and news of this 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. After a rough stretch which saw him get knocked out three days in four fights, Aldo appears better than ever and can be making a late-career run to the belt he held for years. Volkanovski (19-1) is 6-0 at the UFC and in his last departure brutally knocked out Chad Mendes. Many believe him a future featherweight champion, and this battle should tell us a whole lot about that. This is a huge fight, and not an easy one to predict. Aldo will likely be favored due to his title value and Octagon expertise, but Volkanovski has looked incredible from the UFC and should be a live puppy in this bout.
Thiago Alves vs. Laureano Staropoli, UFC 237
Experienced welterweight Thiago Alves yields at UFC 237 when he takes on potential Laureano Staropoli. MMAFighting.com broke the news. Alves (23-13) is currently 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 because of his conclusion win over Hector Aldana. At this point you have to fade Alves and I would prefer the 26-year-old Staropoli to win this bout. But considering he’s an unknown, it is possible he will 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, taking place April 20 in Yubileyny Sports Palace in 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 finished by Warlley Alves. Nakamura (34-9-2, 1 NC) is 4-6 overall from the UFC, including a 4-3 mark in his second stint inside the Octagon. In his last fight, he edged a split decision over Salim Touahri. Both guys will be on the chopping block with a reduction, and this battle resembles a near one. I would favor Nakamura slightly just due to 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 contains only 1 fight since 2015. But he is only 27-years-old and is currently riding an 11-fight win streak dating back to 2013. He’s a bit of a wild card at 205lbs, but overall seems like a promising prospect if he could remain healthy and keep 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’s just very difficult to trust the chin of Clark, and a hard-hitter like Edilov will surely be favored to beat him in this battle.
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