A couple new fights have been reported for upcoming UFC cards. Here they are in today’s MMA odds and ends:
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Ricky Simon, UFC Fight Night 128
Due to Augusto Mendes getting pulled from his fight against Merab Dvalishvili by USADA, the UFC has signed bantamweight prospect Ricky Simon and he will take on Dvalishvili at UFC Fight Night. The card is set for Saturday, April 21 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and this bout was reported by Top Turtle MMA Podcast. Dvalishvili (7-3) lost a split decision to Frankie Saenz in his UFC debut and needs to bounce back here with a win. Simon (12-1) is currently riding a five-fight win streak and is coming off of a highlight-reel knockout in LFA. Despite taking the bout on short notice, I expect Simon to be favored.
Brad Scott vs. Salim Touahri, UFC Fight Night 130
A middleweight bout between Brad Scott and Salim Touahri is the latest addition to UFC Fight Night 130, which gakes place Sunday, May 27 at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The bout was reported by MMADNA.nl. Scott (11-5) recently had his fight against Jack Marshman at UFC London cancelled at the last minute. The Brit is 3-4 in the UFC and is looking to get back in the win column. Touahri (10-2) lost a decision to Warlley Alves in his UFC debut last fall. This should be competitive but look for Scott to be the favorite for this fight.
Jessica Eye vs. Jessica Rose-Clark, UFC Fight Night 132
A women’s flyweight bout between Jessica Eye and Jessica Rose-Clark will go down at UFC Fight Night 132, which is set for Saturday, June 23 at an unannounced venue and city in Singapore. Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com reported the bout. Eye (12-6, 1 NC) is 2-5, 1 NC in the UFC and recently defeated Kalindra Faria in her return to flyweight. Rose-Clark (9-4, 1 NC) is 2-0 in the UFC and is coming off of a huge win over Paige VanZant. This should be a competitive fight and likely will be a close decision on the judges’ scorecards. I’d expect near Pick ’em odds for it.
Amanda Lemos Suspended Two Years By USADA
UFC women’s bantamweight Amanda Lemos has accepted a two-year suspension by USADA due to being caught with a banned substance in her system during an out-of-competition drug test this past November. She was found with the banned steroid stanozolol in her system. The bantamweight was finished via TKO by Leslie Smith in her UFC debut and will not be able to compete until November 2019.
