The UFC matchmakers have been busy sending out contracts. In the current MMA odds and ends I will give my thoughts on two new bouts for UFC 237, such as a possible No. 1 competition struggle in the featherweight division, plus my first 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 in a possible title eliminator. The card takes place May 11 in Jeunesse Arena at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and information of this 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 pumped three days in four fights, 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 believe him a prospective featherweight champion, and this fight should tell us a whole lot about that. This is a huge fight, and not an easy one to call. Aldo will likely be favored due to his name worth and Octagon expertise, but Volkanovski has appeared 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 when he chooses on potential Laureano Staropoli. MMAFighting.com broke the information. Alves (23-13) is 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”Fight of the Night” bonus for his decision win over Hector Aldana. At this point you need to fade Alves and I’d favor the 26-year-old Staropoli to win this bout. But considering he’s 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 clash at 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 next stint within the Octagon. In his last battle, he edged out a split decision over Salim Touahri. Both men will be on the chopping block with a loss, and this battle resembles a near one. I would 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) hasn’t fought as a September 2017 knockout win over Bojan Mihaljovic and has only one battle since 2015. But he is 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 at 205lbs, but overall looks like a promising prospect if he can remain healthy and stay out of trouble with USADA. Clark (9-3) is 3-3 in the UFC and is coming off of a barbarous TKO loss to Aleksandar Rakic. Now it is just very hard to trust that the chin of Clark, and a hard-hitter such as Edilov will surely be favored to beat him in this fight.
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