Three new bouts were announced yesterday for upcoming UFC fight cards, including a heavyweight slugfest that has the possibility of being the Fight of the Year in MMA. And for today’s MMA Odds and Ends, I’ll give my quick thoughts on all of them. Mark Hunt vs. Roy Nelson, UFC Fight Night 51 It’s not 100 percent official yet, but the UFC is targeting a heavyweight bout between Mark Hunt and Roy Nelson to headline UFC Fight Night 51, which is set to take place in Japan this September. This is an incredible fight on paper between two heavyweights with amazing chins and huge knockout power and it could be a contender for Fight of the Year when it’s all said and done. Although either guy could realistically win the fight, I have to give the edge here to Hunt because he has more varied striking and much better cardio. Having said that, though, if anyone can crack his chin it’s Nelson. Still, I expect Hunt to be the favorite going into this fight, around -150 or so or possibly a bit higher. Valerie Letourneau vs. Milana Dudieva, UFC 174 After an injury to Germaine de Randamie, the UFC called upon Canadian Valerie Letourneau to take on newcomer Milana Dudieva at UFC 174, which takes place June 14 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. This fight could realistically go either way but based on the fact Letourneau is taking the fight on only two weeks’ notice I have to give a slight edge to the UFC newcomer Dudieva, who I believe will open as a very slight favorite. Justin Salas vs. Joe Proctor, UFC Fight Night 45 And finally, a lightweight bout between Justin Salas and Joe Proctor has been added to UFC Fight Night 45, which takes place July 16 at Revel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This should be a close, competitive fight between two well-rounded lightweights with a grappling base who have shown improved striking in recent bouts and it should be a fun one when it goes down. I really think this fight could go either way and it should be close in the betting lines. I’m thinking this fight is right around a Pick ’em, with a slight lean to Proctor due to the age advantage.
