Nearly the full UFC 228 card — which goes down Saturday, September 8 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas — was revealed by the promotion on Wednesday, including a number of exciting new matchups which I’ll discuss in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Nicco Montano vs. Valentina Shevchenko, UFC 228
It’s not confirmed as the official headliner yet, but there will be a title fight at UFC 228 when UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano puts her title on the line against Valentina Shevchenko. The UFC was finally able to get this fight booked and now the women’s flyweight division can finally move on. Montano (4-2) defeated Roxanne Modafferi in the TUF 26 Finale. Including her fights on the show, she’s on a four-fight wn streak. Shevchenko (15-3) is 4-2 in the UFC but remember both of her losses were against UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. In her flyweight ebut, Shevchenko badly hurt an overmatch Priscila Cachoeira. This is a terrible matchup for Montano and Shevchenko should dominate her in almost every are of the game. I fully expect Shevchenko to be a huge favorite in this one. I wouldn’t completely write off Montano if she’s a huge underdog just because I do feel like she has kind of the unknown factor going on for her, but it’s just difficult to go against Shevchenko against anyone not Nunes.
Tatiana Suarez vs. Carla Esparza, UFC 228
A women’s strawweight bout between top contenders Tatiana Suarez and Carla Esparza is also on deck. MMAFNL reported the bout. Suarez (6-0) is undefeated as a pro and after winning The Ultimate Fighter 23 over Amanda Cooper has gone on to beat Viviane Pereira and Alexa Grasso. Amred with an incredible wrestling base, many feel like Suarez could be the next women’s strawweight champion. Esparza (13-5) is the former champion herself and while she is coming off of a split decision loss to Claudia Gadelha, it was a really close fight and she showed she’s still a top contender in defeat. Having said that, I think Suarez is the real deal, and I expect her to be the favorite in this fight. If Suarez is able to get the win in this one, the UFC may give her the next title shot at 115lbs.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Cody Stamann, UFC 228
An important bantamweight fight pitting Aljamain Sterling against Cody Stamann is also set for this card. Sterling (15-3) is 7-3 in the UFC and in his last bout defeated highly-touted prospect Brett Johns. Stamann (17-1) is 3-0 in the UFC so far in his last fight he defeated Bryan Caraway. I expect a very tight line for this bout but I’m going to look to play Stamann if he’s the underdog.
Geoff Neal vs. Frank Camacho, UFC 228
A pair of welterweights meet as Geoff Neal takes on Frank Camacho. Neal (9-2) is riding a three-figt win streak and in his last bout he knocked out Brian Camozzi in his UFC debut. Camacho (21-6) is just 1-2 in the UFC but he has won “Fight of the Night” in all three matchups. I like this fight a lot but Neal seems like the more solid and well-rounded fighter and he should be favored here.
Ryan Benoit vs. Roberto Sanchez UFC 228
Flyweights collide as Ryan Benoit meets Roberto Sanchez. Benoit (10-5) is coming off of a devastating head kick KO over Ashkan Mokhtarian and is 3-3 overall in the UFC. Morales (8-1), meanwhile, is 1-1 in the UFC with a submission win over Joby Sanchez in his last fight. This is a fun fight but Benoit should be the favorite at open due to more experience in the UFC.
Charles Byrd vs. Darren Stewart, UFC 228
A fun light heavyweight fight btween Charles Byrd and Darren Stewart should be exciting. Byrd (10-4) is on a four-fight win streak and submitted John Phillips in his UFC debut. Stewart (8-3,1 NC) is just 1-3, 1 NC in the UFC but he finally has some momentum brewing after knocking out Eric Spicely in his last fight. It should be a good fight, but I expect Byrd to be the favorite.
Other fights at UFC 228 that I have already written about in previous editions of the MMA odds and ends include:
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Jessica Andrade
Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Yair Rodriguez
Jimmie Rivera vs. John Dodson
