The UFC matchmakers have been busy sending out contracts. In the current MMA odds and ends I will give my thoughts on two fresh bouts for UFC 237, such as a possible No. 1 competition fight from the featherweight division, plus my initial 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 clash at UFC 237 at a potential title eliminator. The card takes place May 11 at Jeunesse Arena at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and news of the bout was initially revealed by MMA journalist Farah Hannoun. Aldo (28-4) is 10-3 in the UFC and is coming from back-to-back knockout wins over Renato Moicano and Jeremy Stephens. After a rough stretch which saw him get knocked out three times in four conflicts, Aldo appears better than ever and is making a late-career run to the belt that he held for years. Volkanovski (19-1) is 6-0 at the UFC and in his final departure brutally knocked out Chad Mendes. Many believe him a future featherweight champion, and this battle should tell us a lot about that. This is a huge fight, rather than a simple one to predict. Aldo will probably be favored due to his title value and Octagon expertise, but Volkanovski has appeared incredible from 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»Fight of the Night» bonus because of his decision win over Hector Aldana. At this point you need to fade Alves and I’d prefer 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 at Yubileyny Sports Palace at St. Petersburg, Russia. Nakamura replaced the wounded 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 next stint within the Octagon. In his last fight, he edged a split decision over Salim Touahri. Both men are going to be on the chopping block with a reduction, and this fight resembles a close one. I’d prefer Nakamura slightly simply 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 as a September 2017 knockout win over Bojan Mihaljovic and contains only one battle since 2015. But he’s 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 in 205lbs, but overall seems like a promising prospect if he can remain healthy and keep 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’s just very hard to trust that the chin of Clark, and also a hard-hitter like Edilov will surely be favored to beat him in this fight.
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