The UFC matchmakers are busy sending out contracts. In the current MMA odds and ends I will give my thoughts on two fresh spells for UFC 237, including a possible No. 1 contender fight from the featherweight division, plus my initial 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 in 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 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. After a rough stretch which saw him get pumped three times in four conflicts, Aldo looks better than ever and can be creating a late-career run to the belt that he once held for years. Volkanovski (19-1) is 6-0 in the UFC and in his final bout brutally knocked out Chad Mendes. Many believe him a future featherweight champion, and this fight should tell us a whole lot about that. This is a tremendous fight, rather than a simple one to predict. Aldo will probably be favored because of his name worth and Octagon expertise, but Volkanovski has looked incredible in the UFC and ought to be a live dog in this bout.
Thiago Alves vs. Laureano Staropoli, UFC 237
Veteran welterweight Thiago Alves yields at UFC 237 if he takes on prospect Laureano Staropoli. MMAFighting.com broke the information. 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 streak and in his UFC debut won a”Fight of the Night” bonus for his decision win over Hector Aldana. At this point you have to fade Alves and I’d 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, taking place April 20 in Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. Nakamura replaced the wounded Emil Weber Meek on relatively short notice with this bout. Aliev (14-3) is only 1-2 in the UFC and most recently was completed by Warlley Alves. Nakamura (34-9-2, 1 NC) is 4-6 overall from the UFC, including a 4-3 mark in his next stint within the Octagon. In his last fight, he edged a split decision over Salim Touahri. Both guys are going to be on the chopping block with a reduction, and this fight looks like a close one. I would prefer Nakamura slightly just 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) hasn’t fought since a September 2017 knockout win over Bojan Mihaljovic and has just 1 battle since 2015. However, he’s 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 in 205lbs, but overall looks like a promising prospect if he could stay healthy and stay out of trouble with USADA. Clark (9-3) is 3-3 at the UFC and is coming from a barbarous TKO loss to Aleksandar Rakic. At this point it is simply very difficult to trust the chin of Clark, and a hard-hitter such as Edilov will be favored to beat him in this battle.
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