The UFC matchmakers have been busy sending out contracts. In the current MMA odds and ends I will give my thoughts on two new spells for UFC 237, such as a potential No. 1 contender fight from 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 at a potential title eliminator. The card takes place May 11 in Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and news of this bout was first revealed by MMA journalist Farah Hannoun. Aldo (28-4) is 10-3 at 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 knocked out three times in four fights, Aldo appears better than ever and is making a late-career run to the belt he once held for years. Volkanovski (19-1) is 6-0 at the UFC and in his last bout brutally knocked out Chad Mendes. Many consider him a future featherweight champion, and this battle should tell us a whole lot about that. This is a tremendous fight, rather than an easy one to call. Aldo will likely be favored because of his title value and Octagon experience, but Volkanovski has looked 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 returns at UFC 237 if he chooses on potential 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 streak and in his UFC debut won a"Fight of the Night" bonus because of his conclusion win over Hector Aldana. Now 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 will 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 battle UFC Fight Night 149, taking place April 20 in Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. Nakamura replaced the injured Emil Weber Meek on relatively short notice for this bout. Aliev (14-3) is only 1-2 in the UFC and most recently was completed by Warlley Alves. Nakamura (34-9-2, 1 NC) is 4-6 overall from the UFC, including a 4-3 mark in his second stint inside the Octagon. In his last battle, he edged a split decision over Salim Touahri. Both guys are going to be on the chopping block with a reduction, and this fight looks like a close one. I'd prefer Nakamura slightly just because of 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 is also slated for UFC Fight Night 149. Edilov (17-4) hasn't fought since a September 2017 knockout win over Bojan Mihaljovic and contains just 1 battle since 2015. But he is only 27-years-old and is currently riding an 11-fight win streak dating back to 2013. He's a small wild card at 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 in the UFC and is coming from a barbarous TKO loss to Aleksandar Rakic. At this point it is just very hard to trust the chin of Clark, and a hard-hitter like Edilov will be favored to beat him in this fight.
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