A number of new UFC bouts were announced over the weekend. Here they are, along with my thoughts on them: Louis Smolka vs. Neil Seery, UFC 189 A flyweight bout between Louis Smolka and Neil Seery will go down at UFC 189, which takes place July 11 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a fun fight. Both guys are great strikers and both men will put on a show for the fans. Both guy fight pretty similarly, but Smolka is a lot younger and I think ultimately his youth is the difference here as I think he can outwork Seery and win a decision. Like most flyweight bouts, this should be competitive for 15 minutes, but Smolka has the edges here and I think he’ll be a small favorite when the odds open. Trevor Smith vs. Dan Miller, TUF 21 Finale A middleweight fight between Trevor Smith and Dan Miller will take place at the TUF 21 Finale, which takes place July 12 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both of these guys are amongst the lowest-ranked middleweights in the UFC. In fact, it was a bit surprising to see Miller is still fighting. He hasn’t competed since a TKO loss to Jordan Mein two years ago so who knows what he’ll look like? Smith, his opponent, isn’t anything special, but he does have a solid ground game and overall is a gritty guy despite having a bad chin. I don’t have a good read on this fight and I don’t think anyone really does considering all the question marks behind both guys. I guess I slightly lean towards Smith due to Miller’s inactivity, but who knows. Ildemar Alcantara vs. Kevin Casey, UFC Fight Night 71 A middleweight contest between Ildemar Alcantara and Kevin Casey takes place at UFC Fight Night 71, which is set to take place July 15 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. Casey hasn’t fought in a year since a first-round TKO of Bubba Bush was overturned to a NC after he tested positive for PEDs. As for Alcantara, he recently beat Ricardson Moreira via split decision in an awful fight. Casey can’t be trusted after his PED bust, but I don’t think very highly of Alcantara and I think Casey can beat him. Still, this isn’t a fight that will be popular among bettors, although one can expect pretty competitive odds with a lean towards Casey. Joanne Calderwood vs. Bec Rawlings, UFC Fight Night 72 A women’s strawweight contest between Joanne Calderwood and Bec Rawlings strengthens UFC Fight Night 72, which is set for July 18 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. Calderwood was recently upset by Maryna Moroz but she remains one of the top strawweights in the UFC. She’s solid everywhere, and as long as she can put the Moroz loss behind her she should be fine. Rawling is a solid fighter herself, but she lacks the dynamic striking of Calderwood, and in a fight that likely stays standing that’s likely going to be to her detriment. The UFC is giving Calderwood a winnable fight in Scotland and I expect her to come away with the win. Despite losing as a big favorite in her last fight, I expect her to be heavily favored here against Rawlings. Feijao Cavalcante vs. Pat Cummins, UFC 190 A light heavyweight bout between Feijao Cavalcante and Pat Cummins is the latest addition to UFC 190, which takes place August 1 at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Feijao hasn’t competed in a year since losing a decision to Ryan Bader where he was outwrestled, and that’s what Cummins will look to do here. The problem with Cummins is he has a weak chin and he was just knocked out a few weeks again, making me think he’s coming back too soon. Still, he has a clear path to victory here if he can keep from being KOed. I lean Cummins very slightly here, but his chin will keep me away from a bet against the powerful Feijao, who will be fighting in Brazil.
