The UFC continued to announce new fights for upcoming fight cards yesterday, and for today’s MMA Odds and Ends I’ll give my quick thoughts on them. Danny Castillo vs. Charlie Brenneman, UFC 172 In a lightweight contest, Danny Castillo will take on Charlie Brenneman at UFC 172. Castillo was originally set to fight Isaac Vallie-Flagg, but the UFC switched the matchup at the last second and gave Vallie-Flagg to Takanori Gomi instead. As for Castillo vs. Brenneman, this is most definitely Castillo’s fight to lose. Like Brenneman, Castillo has great MMA wrestling, but unlike “The Spaniard” Castillo has improving striking and knockout power. So as long as he doesn’t gas, get put on his back and grinded out, this should be his fight to lose. I really like Castillo in this spot and believe he should be around a -250 favorite, and possibly even higher, based on my initial breakdown of the fight. Neil Magny vs. William Patolino, UFC Fight Night 40 In a welterweight fight between two up-and-comers, Neil Magny will take on William Patolino in what should be a very exciting contest between two fighters with improving striking. As both are young, look for the winner to move up the 170lb ladder. As far as how I break this fight down, I definitely have to look into it more but I am kind of leaning towards Magny at this point due to his longer reach and level of opposition. Not to say Patolino can’t come through with the W here, but I’m not sold on him after his beatdown of Bobby Voelker and I want to see more out of him before I proclaim him as a serious prospect. As for a line, it’s a close fight on paper and I’d expect it to be near a Pick ’em at the sportsbooks. Paulo Thiago vs. Gasan Umalatov, TUF Brazil 3 Finale And finally, a welterweight bout between Paulo Thiago and Gasan Umalatov was added to the TUF Brazil 3 Finale. It’s likely a loser-leaves-town matchup for both men, each of whom haven’t been all that impressive lately in the Octagon. As far as a line for this fight goes, Thiago will of course be the favorite based on his name recognition but it’s clear this is a fighter who is slowing down drastically and he’s probably not someone I’ll put my money on, especially against a fighter like Umalatov who possesses some unknown dangers. Still, look for Thiago to be at least 2-to-1 here and possibly even more in what is an absolute must-win fight for one of the welterweight division’s longest-serving veterans.
