Much like this weekend’s FOX card, the next UFC event on the docket will also be headlined by a middleweight tilt. However, rather than a pair of veterans squaring off to jockey for position in the division, UFC Fight Night 125’s main event provides the opportunity for a prospect to make the leap into contendership. Former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida has denied any thoughts of retirement despite being nearly 40, and suffering three straight stoppage losses sandwiched around an 18-month drug suspension. “The Dragon” will once again look to climb the middleweight ladder against prospect Eryk Anders. The former Crimson Tide member just celebrated six months in the UFC this past week, and already has two Octagon victories to his name. Machida would easily be his biggest scalp, and likely bump him into the rankings at 185.
As with all Brazilian cards, Fight Night 125 features a strong contingent of fighters who will backed by the partisan fans, as each bout features a Brazilian. At the top of that list is Pedro Munhoz, who has quietly put together a four-fight win streak in the bantamweight division, including three submissions. The 31-year-old’s professional record is only marked by a pair of decision losses to top bantamweights Raphael Assuncao and Jimmie Rivera. He’ll get another chance to break into the top of the division when he takes on a former flyweight title challenger. John Dodson’s bantamweight run hasn’t been as fruitful as he had hoped, with his 2-2 record since the move looking worse on paper than his performances have actually been (a pair of split decision losses will do that). Whoever wins this bout will sit just outside of the group of top contenders at 135, and could make some serious noise in 2018.
One of the women who is thought to be in line for the flyweight title will also be featured in her first UFC bout at the weight. Valentina Shevchenko had been competing above what many felt her optimal weight was, but with the inclusion of a women’s flyweight division, she immediately dropped ten pounds. Against debuting Priscila Cachoeira, she’ll have a chance to prove that the new weight suits her. Assuming all goes to plan, Shevchenko will likely face whoever it is that won the TUF season for this division later in the year.
The remaining main card bouts include a lightweight bout between Des Green and Michel Prazeres (the only man who might have an even quieter win streak than Munhoz), Timothy Johnson looking to lay down the law against Brazilian heavyweight prospect Marcelo Golm, and Thiago Santos taking on Anthony Smith in a bout that should be a whole lot of fun for as long as it lasts.
The preliminary portion of Fight Night 125 isn’t hurting for action either. Tim Means and Sergio Moraes make for an interesting style clash in the welterweight division, bantamweight veterans Iuri Alcantara and Joe Soto could provide an entertaining affair full of scrambles, and unbeaten flyweights Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Morales attempt to stake their claim to a ranked spot at 125. Are we sure the UFC didn’t mix up their TV schedule, and this is supposed to be the FOX event?
MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the full slate of betting odds for 12-fight UFC Fight Night 125 today at Several Bookmakers. Keep reading for the lines:
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UFC Fight Night 125: Machida vs. Anders
FEBRUARY 3, 2018
Mangueirinho Gymnasium | Belem, Pera, Brazil
Main Card – (FS1, 10PM ET)
Lyoto Machida +170
Eryk Anders -230
Over 2.5 +110
Under 2.5 -150
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Pedro Munhoz +125
John Dodson -165
Over 2.5 -215
Under 2.5 +165
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Priscila Cachoeira +435
Valentina Shevchenko -705
Over 2.5 -170
Under 2.5 +130
–
Desmond Green +135
Michel Prazeres -175
Over 2.5 -245
Under 2.5 +175
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Timothy Johnson +145
Marcelo Golm -185
Over 1.5 -160
Under 1.5 +120
–
Anthony Smith +110
Thiago “Marreta” Santos -150
Over 1.5 -110
Under 1.5 -130
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Preliminary Card – (FS1, 8PM ET)
Sergio Moraes +180
Tim Means -260
Over 2.5 -135
Under 2.5 -105
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Damir Hadzovic +165
Alan Patrick -215
Over 2.5 -180
Under 2.5 +140
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Douglas de Andrade +120
Marlon Vera -160
Over 2.5 -180
Under 2.5 +140
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Joe Soto -115
Iuri Alcantara -125
Over 2.5 -150
Under 2.5 +110
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Preliminary Card – (UFC Fight Pass, 7PM ET)
Joseph Morales +125
Deiveson Figueiredo -165
Over 2.5 -170
Under 2.5 +130
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Maia Stevenson +190
Polyana Viana -270
Over 2.5 -130
Under 2.5 -110
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