A number of new UFC bouts were revealed over the weekend. Here they are, along with my initial thoughts on them.
Rustam Khabilov vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira, UFC Fight Night 145
A pair of lightweights meet at UFC Fight Night 145 when Rustam Khabilov fights Carlos Diego Ferreira. The card takes place February 23 at The O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. Khabilov (23-3) is 9-3 in the UFC and is currently riding a six-fight win streak, though all six of those wins have come by decision. Ferreira (14-2) is 5-2 in the UFC and has finished his last two fights. Both guys are solid fighters but given Ferreira’s ability to finish fights I would slightly favor him here.
Alexis Davis vs. Jennifer Maia, UFC Fight Night 148
During the UFC on ESPN+ 1 broadcast, a number of bouts were revealed for UFC Fight Nght 148, which takes place March 23 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. One of those bouts if a women’s flyweight matchup putting Alexis Davis against Jennifer Maia. Davis (19-8) is 6-3 in the UFC an lost a decision to Katlyn Chookagian her last time out. Maia (15-5-1) lost her UFC debut to Liz Carmouche. This should be a competitive fight but given Davis never gets any respect from bettors I’m expecting Maia to be slightly favored here.
Jussier Formiga vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, UFC Fight Night 148
An important flyweight bout between Jussier Formiga and Deiveson Figueiredo has also been added to UFC Fight Night 148. Formiga (22-5) is 8-4 in the UFC and has won his last three fights, including a decision over Sergio Pettis in his last fight. Figueiredo (15-0) is 4-0 in the UFC and has finished three of his four wins in the UFC. Although Formiga might be the most underrated flyweights on the UFC roster, I truly believe Figueiredo has what it takes to fight for a title. I think this is his breakthrough moment, and I believe he should be favored to win this bout.
Randa Markos vs. Angela Hill, UFC Fight Night 148
Women’s strawweights Randa Markos and Angela Hill also meet at UFC Fight Night 148. Markos (8-6-1) is 4-5-1 in the UFC and is coming off of a draw against Marina Rodriguez. Hill (8-5) is 3-5 in the UFC and lost a decision to Cortney Casey in her last outing. This is another really competitive fight between ex-TUF housemates. Although Markos has had a bit more success in the UFC I have been liking what I’ve seen from Hill more as of late, and would slightly lean towards her in this fight.
Maycee Barber vs. JJ Aldrich, UFC Fight Night 148
Rising women’s prospect Maycee Barber has moved up to flyweight and she’ll take on JJ Aldrich, who moved down a weight class, in an important women’s bout at UFC Fight Night 148. Barber (6-0) won her UFC debut though she missed weight against Hannah Cifers. Aldrich (7-2) is 3-1 so far in the UFC and has won her last three fights by decision. Aldrich is a pretty solid fighter but Barber has all the potential in the world to be a future world champion and she should be heavily favored here.
