The UFC announced most of the card for the upcoming UFC on FOX 30 event, which goes down Saturday, June 28 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A featherweight contest between Jose Aldo and Jeremy Stephens that was previously reported for UFC Singapore has been moved to this card. I covered that bout in a previous MMA odds and ends. As well, three fights that were previously reported in a recent MMA odds and ends are now official for the event: Hakeem Dawodu vs. Austin Arnett, Kajan Johnson vs. Islam Makhachev, and Randa Markos vs. Nina Ansaroff. Just a note on the main event: it’s scheduled to be UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano defending her title against No. 1 contender Valentina Shevchenko, but that fght has not been made official as of this writing.
Here are the new matchups officially announced for the card, along with my initial thoughts on them:
Matheus Nicolau vs. Dustin Ortiz, UFC on FOX 30
An important flyweight bout between Matheus Nicolau and Dustin Ortiz goes down on this card. Nicolau is 3-0 in the UFC so far and looks like he’s back on track following a PED suspension while Ortiz is 7-5 and is coming off of two-straight wins. As impressive as Nicolau has been, Ortiz is still one of the most solid flyweights in the UFC. I’m expecting close odds for this one, with a slight edge to Nicolau based on how impressive he’s looked in the UFC.
Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs. Ion Cutelaba, UFC on FOX 30
Two light heavyweights clash as Gadzhimurad Antigulov takes on Ion Cutelaba. Antigulov is 2-0 in the UFC and is on a 14-fight win streak overall, making him one of the best light heavyweight prospects in the game. Cutelaba is 2-2 in the UFC and is coming off of a big KO win. The winner of this fight will likely get a top-10 ranking at 205lbs. This should be a good fight but I have to slightly lean towards Antigulov, who hasn’t lost in years. I just think this guy is super legit.
Jordan Mein vs. Alex Morono, UFC on FOX 30
A fun welterweight bout between Lethbridge, Alberta’s Jordan Mein and Alex Morono takes place on this card. Mein is 4-4 overall in the UFC and recently picked up his first win since 2014 with a decision over Erick Silva. Morono is 3-1, 1 NC in the UFC and just choked out Josh Burkman. Both guys are solid yet flawed fighters. As much as I like Mein, he’s too inconsistent to bet on and I figure Morono will be a slight favorite here.
John Madkessi vs. Ross Pearon, UFC on FOX 30
A solid lightweight tilt between John Makdessi and Ross Pearson will go down at this event. Makdessi is 8-6 overall in the UFC and recently defeated Abel Trujillo. Pearson is 12-11, 1 NC in the UFC and just beat Mizuto Hirota to snap a four-fight losing streak. I personally favor Makdessi in this fight and I believe he should be a betting favorite to win it.
Alexis Davis vs. Katlyn Chookagian, UFC on FOX 30
And finally, Alexis Davis meets Katlyn Chookagian in a women’s flyweight bout. Davis won her UFC flyweight debut with a split decision win over Liz Carmouche with Chookagian defeated Mara Romero Borella in her own UFC flyweight debut. I think Davis is one of the best fighters in this division and I expect her to win this fight, and fully expect her to be favored in the odds.
