The UFC matchmakers have been busy sending out contracts. In today’s MMA odds and ends I’ll give my thoughts on two new bouts for UFC 237, including a possible No. 1 contender struggle 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 potential title eliminator. The card happens May 11 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and news of the bout was first 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 knocked out three days in four conflicts, Aldo looks better than ever and is creating a late-career run to the belt that he once held for several years. Volkanovski (19-1) is 6-0 in the UFC and in his last departure brutally knocked out Chad Mendes. Many consider him a future featherweight champion, and this battle should tell us a lot about that. This is a tremendous fight, rather than a simple one to call. 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
Experienced welterweight Thiago Alves yields at UFC 237 if he chooses on prospect Laureano Staropoli. MMAFighting.com broke the news. Alves (23-13) is currently 15-10 complete in 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 need 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 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, occurring April 20 in Yubileyny Sports Palace at St. Petersburg, Russia. Nakamura replaced the wounded Emil Weber Meek on relatively short notice for this bout. Aliev (14-3) is only 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 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 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 is a small wild card in 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 in 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 surely be favored to beat him in this fight.
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