A couple new matchups are revealed for upcoming battle cards, and I’ll give my thoughts on those brand 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 originally 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) may be 39-years old today but he showed age doesn’t mean anything to him when he completed the younger Karl Roberson in his last bout at UFC Fight Night 143. All-time Teixeira retains a 11-5 record at the Octagon and he may not be a real title contender anymore, he’s still a tough gatekeeper and the perfect test for rising light heavyweights to take on as they look to move up the rankings. Even late in his career, he can still finish fights.
Cutelaba (14-3, 1 NC) is 3-2 in the UFC and is coming from back-to-back knockout wins over Gadzhimurad Antigulov and Henrique da Silva. Only 25, Cutelaba is among the top young light heavyweights from the UFC, but he is still very much unproven. After seeing Teixeira come back from being down early and finish Roberson, I think you have to favor him to get the win from Cutelaba, though I really 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 meet UFC Fight Night 148 (UFC on ESPN+ 6), which takes place March 23 at Bridgestone Arena at Nashville, Tennessee. Day (8-3) endured a split decision loss to Pingyuan Liu in his UFC debut but had won three straight struggles on the regional circuit prior to making his ill-fated UFC debut. Gutierrez (12-4-1) is coming from a submission loss to Raoni Barcelos within his own UFC introduction but had won three straight struggles in the regional circuit prior to that too. This looks like a really close fight and I expect the opening number to be close a Select’em given how much it looks on paper. I’d slightly lean towards Day to receive his hands raised, but it’s very close.
Boston Salmon vs. Khalid Taha, UFC 236
Bantamweights Boston Salmon and Khalid Taha will fulfill UFC 236, taking place April 13 at an undisclosed venue (rumored to be in Las Vegas, Nevada). These two were previously set to meet at the TUF 28 Finale before the battle was scrapped. News of this 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 hasn’t fought since due to accidents. Taha (12-2) fell a decision to Nad Narimani in his UFC debut . Given Salmon’s extended layoff, it is sensible to lean towards Taha here, however provided that Taha is far from a top potential, but don’t be surprised is Salmon comes through and gets the win. I would expect a close line in any event.
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