MMA ODDS AND ENDS FOR THURSDAY: NEW UFC FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS INCLUDES DAVID TEYMUR VS. CHARLES OLIVEIRA
The UFC continued to announce a range of fresh bouts for its forthcoming cards. Here are the new matchups, together with my initial thoughts on them.
David Teymur vs. Charles Oliveira, UFC Fight Night 144
Lightweights David Teymur and Charles Oliveira will struggle at UFC Fight Night 144, occurring February 2 at Centro de Forma????o Ol??mpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil. Teymur (8-1) is 5-0 in the UFC and in his last outing defeated Nik Lentz. He’s had trouble getting opponents to fight him, as he’s very dangerous but not rated in the top-15. Oliveira (25-8, 1 NC) is 13-8, 1 NC in the UFC and is coming off of a three-fight win streak, including a submission win over Jim Miller in his last fight. As good as Oliveira is on the floor, this resembles the sort of matchup that’s kryptonite for him against a much-better striker in Teymur who also has excellent takedown defense. Because of this, I would really favor Teymur inside this fight.
Junior Albini vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik, UFC Fight Night 144
Because of an accident to Dmitry Sosnovskiy, Junior Albini will take on short-notice replacement Jarizinho Rozenstruik at UFC Fight Night 144. DWT broke the news. Albini (14-4) is 1-2 in the UFC and dropped to Aleksiy Oleinik through Ezekiel choke in his last struggle. Rozenstruik (6-0) has won five of his battles with strikes except for his one appearance at RIZIN, which he won a decision in. Most bettors will seem to fade Albini, however it is difficult to say if this is the right spot to fade him in as Rozenstruik is quite unproven against a nice level of competition.
Rani Yahya vs. Ricky Simon, UFC 234
Bantamweights Rani Yahya and Ricky Simon are set to clash at UFC 234, taking place February 10 in Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. Combate broke the news. Yahya (26-9, 1 NC) is 11-3, 1 NC in the UFC and has won seven of his last eight fights overall. He’s a very underrated fighter and with a win here should land a top-10 opponent. Simon (14-1) is 2-0 at the UFC and is riding a seven-fight win streak overall. Yahya has all the expertise but Simon has plenty of upside down and I’d rather go with the fighter inside this spot.
Sam Alvey vs. Gadzhimurad Antigulov, UFC Fight Night 145
Light heavyweight action between Sam Alvey and Gadzhimurad Antigulov will happen at UFC Fight Night 145, on February 23 at O2 Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic. Igor Lazorin broke the information. Alvey (33-11, 1 NC) is 10-6 in the UFC and has been recently knocked out by Antonio Rogerio Nogueria. Antigulov (20-5) is 2-1 in the UFC but endured a KO loss to Ion Cutelaba in his last fight. This should be a true banger of a struggle but I have to fade Alvey inside this spot and proceed with Antigulov, although I am expecting a close line either way.
Cezar Ferreira vs. Tom Breese, UFC Fight Night 147
Because of an injury to Alessio di Chirico, Cezar Ferreira has stepped up to fight Tom Breese at UFC Fight Night 147, which takes place March 16 in the O2 Arena in London, England. Ferreira (13-7) is 9-5 overall in the UFC but is coming off of a disappointing conclusion loss to Ian Heinisch. Breese (11-1) is 4-1 in the UFC and blasted Dan Kelly in his UFC middleweight debut. Ferreira is a good fighter but I don’t trust his brow against a powerful puncher like Breese, that I expect to be heavily preferred here in his home nation.
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