A couple new matchups are revealed for upcoming battle cards, and I will give my thoughts on those new matchups in the current MMA odds and ends.
Glover Teixeira vs. Ion Cutelaba, UFC on ESPN 3
A light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and Ion Cutelaba, that was initially set to happen back in UFC Fight Night 143, was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 3, taking place April 27 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Combate broke the information. Teixeira (28-7) could be 39-years old today but he showed age doesn’t mean anything when he finished the younger Karl Roberson in his last departure at UFC Fight Night 143. All-time Teixeira holds a 11-5 record in the Octagon and although he may not be a real title competitor, he’s still a challenging gatekeeper and the perfect test for rising light heavyweights to take on as they seem to move up the rankings. Even late in his career, he could still complete struggles.
Cutelaba (14-3, 1 NC) is 3-2 in the UFC and is coming off of back-to-back knockout wins over Gadzhimurad Antigulov and Henrique da Silva. Just 25, Cutelaba is one of the top young light heavyweights from the UFC, but he’s still very much unproven. After viewing Teixeira return from being down early and complete Roberson, I think you have to prefer him here to get the win against Cutelaba, though I do think Cutelaba will be more competitive than Roberson was.
Martin Day vs. Chris Gutierrez, UFC Fight Night 148
Bantamweights Martin Day and Chris Gutierrez are set to match UFC Fight Night 148 (UFC on ESPN+ 6), which takes place March 23 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Day (8-3) suffered a split decision loss to Pingyuan Liu in his UFC debut but’d won three straight struggles in the regional circuit before making his ill-fated UFC debut. Gutierrez (12-4-1) is coming from a submission reduction to Raoni Barcelos within his own UFC debut but had won three straight struggles in the regional circuit before that too. This looks like a very close fight and I expect the opening number to be close a Pick’em given how much it seems on paper. I had slightly lean towards dawn to receive his hands raised, but it is very close.
Boston Salmon vs. Khalid Taha, UFC 236
Bantamweights Boston Salmon and Khalid Taha will meet at UFC 236, taking place April 13 at an undisclosed venue (rumored to be in Las Vegas, Nevada). These two were previously set to meet in the TUF 28 Finale before the fight was scrapped. News of the rebooking stems from Shawn Bitter. Salmon (6-1) picked up a decision win over Ricky Turcios on the Contender Series back in July 2017 but has not fought because due to injuries. Taha (12-2) dropped a choice to Nad Narimani in his UFC debut . Given Salmon’s extended layoff, it makes sense to lean towards Taha here, but given that Taha is far from a top prospect, do not be surprised is Salmon comes through and gets the win. I’d expect a close line in any event.
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