Two new UFC bouts were announced over the weekend, and for today’s MMA Odds and Ends I’ll give my quick thoughts on both of them. Robbie Peralta vs. Thiago Tavares, UFC Fight Night 47 A featherweight bout between contenders Robbie Peralta and Thiago Tavares has been added to UFC Fight Night 47, which is set to take place August 16 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The bout will likely be a part of the event’s main card. I like this fight a lot, and I think it makes sense as both men are coming off a win. Peralta recently earned a split decision nod over Rony Jason at the TUF Brazil 3 Finale while Tavares submitted Justin Salas last summer at UFC on FOX 8. Obviously Tavares will be entering this fight off of a year-long layoff, but he had been training for multiple fights over the last year before pulling out with injuries so I’m sure he will show up in great shape against Peralta and I don’t think the ring rust is going to be as bad as people think. This is an excellent match and the betting line should be close, but with a slight lean towards Tavares, who gets more respect than Peralta in the odds. But I do think Peralta is a very live dog in this one as if he’s available at a big-enough plus number he may be worth a stab as an underdog. Ernest Chavez vs. Mirsad Bektic, UFC Fight Night 49 After a 1-1 run as a lightweight, Ernest Chavez has dropped down to featherweight and in his 145lb debut he will take on top prospect Mirsad Bektic at UFC Fight Night 49, which is set to take place August 23 at BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This bout will likely be a preliminary card fight. Although Chavez is a tough fighter and I respect him, it’s pretty clear the UFC is setting him up for a loss here as they have matched him up against Bektic, who was considered the best 145lb prospect in the world prior to making his UFC debut this past April. And he looked great in his debut against Chas Skelly, so it’s not just that he’s hyped up, he’s actually very good and deserves to enter this fight as a big favorite. Look for Bektic to be about -300 for this fight and I expect him to earn the victory in impressive fashion as he continues to move up the UFC featherweight division ladder.
