A few UFC fights have been added to upcoming fight cards, and I’ll give my thoughts on them in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Melinda Fabian vs. Ji Yeon Kim, UFC Fight Night 132
A women’s flyweight bout between Melinda Fabian and Ji Yeon Kim will take place at UFC Fight Night 132, which is set for Saturday, June 23 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. The bout was reported by John Hyon Ko. Fabian (4-3-2) was a competitor on TUF 26 but fought to a draw with DeAnna Bennett in her UFC debut. Kim (7-1-2) is 1-1 in the UFC and defeated Justine Kish via decision in her last bout which was a big upset. I view the win over Kish as a huge feather in Kim’s cap and I’d favor her to win this fight against Fabian based on that victory alone.
Vitor Miranda vs. Abu Azaitar, UFC Fight Night 134
A middleweight matchup between Vitor Miranda and Abu Azaitar will take place at UFC Fight Night 134, which goes down Sunday, July 22 at Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany. The bout was reported by Globo. Miranda (12-6) is a former TUF Brazil competitor and he’s achieved a 3-3 record in the UFC. After losing in the finals of TUF Brazil 3 to Antonio Carlos Junior, Miranda won three-straight fights by knockout but he’s lost decisions to Chris Camozzi and Marvin Vettori in his last two bouts. At 39, he is on the downside of his career. Azaitar (13-1-1, 1 NC) is undefeated over his last nine bouts including back-to-back wins in World Series of Fighting. The German has not fought since 2016 and is 32 but he was riding a wave of momentum before his hiatus. Although Miranda is more proven in the UFC, I think he’s fade mateerial at this point and I have to go with Azaitar to win this fight, and believe he will be the betting favorite when the odds come out.
Emik Meek vs. Bartosz Fabinski, UFC Fight Night 134
Also at UFC Fight Night 134 will be a welterweight contest between Emil Meek and Bartosz Fabinski. Meek (9-3, 1 NC) is 1-1 in the UFC with a decision win over Jordan Mein and a decision loss to Kamaru Usman. Fabinski (13-2) is 2-0 in the UFC and is riding a six-fight win streak but he has not fought since 2015. Despite Fabinski’s win streak, I just feel like Meek is a bad stylistic matchup for him. This looks like a fight the UFC booked to get Meek back on track, and I think he should have no problem getting his hand raised. I’d expect him to be a considerable favorite here.
