Two new bouts have been booked for UFC 226, which is set to take place Saturday, July 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I will give my thoughts on both matchups in today’s MMA odds and ends. As well, I will give my thoughts on two bouts scheduled for UFC Fight Night 134, which is set to take place Sunday, July 22 at Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
Yancy Medeiros vs. Mike Perry, UFC 226
The UFC made official a welterweight matchup between Yancy Mederios and Mike Perry for UFC 226. Medeiros (15-5, 1 NC) is coming off of a brutal knockout loss to Donald Cerrone but prior to that had won three-straight fights including TKO win over Alex Oliveira that looks really good right now. Medieros is always in exciting fights and the UFC matchmakers did the fans a service here by matching him up with Perry, who will stand and trade with Medeiros in what should be a terrific fight. Perry (11-3) is coming off of two-straight losses to Max Griffin and Santiago Ponzinibbio and desperately needs a win to avoid the dreaded three-fight losing streak. Most figured Perry would take some time off after his last fight but evidently he wants to get back in there. This is a great fight and should be very closely-matched at the betting window as I’m expecing near Pick ’em odds for this one.
Uriah Hall vs. Paulo Costa, UFC 226
A middleweight bout between Uriah Hall and Paulo Costa has reportedly been booked for UFC 226 as well, according to a report from MMA-Today.com. Hall (13-8) was on a three-fight losing streak but bounced back with a KO win over Krzysztof Jotko in his last fight. Costa (11-0) is 3-0 in the UFC and in his most recent fight brutally knocked out Johny Hendricks. Though Hall can show flashes of greatness at times, he’s very inconsistent and Costa looks like one of the UFC’s top middleweight prospects. I expect a competitive opening betting line, but no queston Costa will be the favorite.
Marc Diakese vs. Nasrat Haqparast, UFC Fight Night 134
A lightweight matchup between Marc Diakese and Nasrat Haqparast has been added to UFC Fight Night 134, according to a report from Florian Sadler of GNP1.de. Diakese (12-2) started off his UFC career with three-straight wins but has suffered back-to-back losses and really needs a win here to avoid being cut by the UFC. Haqparast (8-2) lost to Marcin Held in his UFC debut and has not fought since, but he’s still considered a top prospect at 155lbs. Another close matchup on paper, though with Diakese’s UFC experience it makes sense he would be favored to win this fight.
Jeremy Kimball vs. Darko Stosic, UFC Fight Night 134
Additionally, a light heavyweight fight between Jeremy Kimball and Darko Stosic will also take place at UFC Fight Night 134. The bout agreement was reported by Nolan King of MMA-Today.com. Kimball (15-7) has alternated wins and losses in his UFC career and really needs to get a victory to stick around the promotion. He did show off his legitimate knockout power in his win over Josh Stansbury but he got finished in both of his losses which leads me to question his durability. Stosic (12-1) is making his UFC debut after winning eight-straight fights on the European regional circuit, including two wins over former Strikeforce fighter Dion Staring. I feel like bettors will look to fade Kimball and with Stosic having a nice record coming into the UFC I think he will be favored here.
