A number of new UFC fights have been revealed, and here are my thoughts on all of them in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Jesse Ronson vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira, UFC 231
An injury to John Makdessi has led the UFC to re-sign Jesse Ronson and he’ll fight Carlos Diego Ferreira on short notice at UFC 231, which takes place December 8 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ken Wong broke the news. Ronson (19-8) has gone 6-3 after being cut by the UFC and he is currently riding a four-fight win streak. In his first UFC run he went 0-3 with three split decision losses and it’s nice to see him get another shot in the Octagon. Ferreira (13-2) is 4-2 in the UFC and is coming off of a big KO win over Jared Gordon. Both guys are really solid fighters but I’d have to favor Ferreira just based on Ronson taking this bout on such short notice.
Zak Ottow vs. Dwight Grant, UFC on FOX 31
After an injury to Erik Koch, Zak Ottow will now step in on short notice to fight Dwight Grant at UFC on FOX 31, which takes place December 15 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nolan King broke the news. Ottow (16-6) is 3-3 in the UFC and is coming off of a KO loss to Sage Northcutt. Grant (8-1) is riding a seven-fight win streak including a KO win on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series in his last bout. Ottow’s chin worries me and going up against a powerful striker like Grant this could be a bad matchup for him. I’d have to favor Grant due to his striking advantage.
Aleksandra Albu vs. Emily Whitmire, UFC 233
A women’s strawweight bout between Aleksandra Albu and Emily Whitmire will take place at UFC 233, which takes place January 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Albu (3-0) is undefeated as a pro but has only fought three times in the last five years. Whitmire (3-2) is 1-1 in the UFC but her level of competition has been weak. Even though Albu has barely fought I have been really impressed when she has competed and I’d favor her here.
Cynthia Calvillo vs. Cortney Casey-Sanchez, UFC 233
Also added to UFC 233 is a women’s strawweight bout between Cynthia Calvillo and Cortney Casey. The OC Register broke the news. Calvillo (7-1) is 4-1 in the UFC and recently defeated Poliana Botelho via submission. Casey (8-6) is just 4-5 in the UFC but to be fair she has fought the best fighters in the division. That being siad, she hasn’t proven she has what it takes to be a consistent winner in the Octago and I expect Calvillo to be a sizeable favorite here.
Darko Stosic vs. Magomed Ankalaev, UFC on ESPN+ 3
Light heavyweights Darko Stosic and Magomed Ankalaev will fight at UFC on ESPN+ 3, which is set for February 23 at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. Igor Lazorin broke the news. Stosic (13-1) is 1-0 in the UFC win a TKO win over Jeremy Kimball and at age 26 is an elite light heavyweight prospect. Ankalaev (9-1) is 1-1 in the UFC with a KO win over Marcin Prachnio and a submission loss to Paul Craig. Stosic is the future of 205lbs and he should be favored heavily to get the win here.
