A couple of new bouts have been added to the upcoming UFC card in Milwaukee, and UFC 228 has a short-notice replacement bout. I’ll give my thoughts on all of these new matchups in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Jarred Brooks vs. Roberto Sanchez, UFC 228
Due to an injury to Ryan Benoit, Jarred Brooks will now step in on short notice to fight Roberto Sanchez in a flyweight bout at UFC 228, which takes place this Saturday, September 8 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The UFC has officially confirmed the new fight, which Brooks is taking on just five days’ notice. Brooks (13-2) is 1-2 so far in the UFC. He beat Eric Shelton by decision in his UFC debut then dropped a decision to Deiveson Figueiredo in his sophomore UFC effort before knocking himself out on a slam attempt against Jose Torres in his last fight. Sanchez (8-1) is 1-1 in the UFC with a submission loss to Joseph Morales in his UFC debut and a submission win over Joby Sanchez in his sophomore UFC fight. Even though Brooks is taking this fight on short notice I think it’s a winnable fight for him. I view this as a competitive bout and I’m expecting a close fight with a close line.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Jack Hermansson, UFC on FOX 31
Middleweights Gerald Meerschaert and Jack Hermansson will meet at UFC on FOX 31, which takes place Saturday, December 15 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel broke the news. Meerschaert (28-9) is 4-1 in the UFC overall and is coming off of back-to-back wins over Oskar Piechota and Eric Spicely. Of his 28 career wins, 26 have come by stoppage. Hermansson (17-4) is 4-2 in the UFC overall and is coming off of a vicious TKO win over Thales Leites. 14 of his career 17 wins have come by stoppage so this fight with Meerschaert has the real possibility of delivering fireworks. Both guys are very dangerous fighters with finishing ability but I have to favor Meerschaert as he’s fighting in his hometown in this one and I’m expecting him to put on an amazing fans in front of his friends and family.
Bobby Green vs. Drakkar Klose, UFC on FOX 31
A lightweight matchup between Bobby Green and Drakkar Klose is also on tap for UFC on FOX 31 as per the same report. Green (24-8-1) is 5-3-1 in the UFC overall and in his last fight he beat Erik Koch by decision to snap a four-fight winless streak. Green was once a top contender at 155lbs but he’s really tailed off in recent years and could be fighting for his job here. Klose (9-1-1) is 3-1 in the UFC and in his last bout he beat Lando Vannata by decision to get back in the win column after suffering his first career loss to David Teymur. This is a really good matchup between two solid lightweights but I definitely favor Klose to get the win in this fight. He’s the younger, fresher fighter in this bout and I believe he’ll be able to outwork Green and take home a decision.
