The UFC went on a fight announcing spree on Wednesday, as the promotion revealed a number of upcoming fights for the rest of the summer and fall schedule. As well, the other fights from UFC 176 that needed homes were also booked for new dates. And for today’s MMA Odds and Ends, I’ll list all the new fights and give my quick thoughts on the best ones. Gray Maynard vs. Fabricio Camoes, UFC Fight Night 47 (moved from UFC 176) Alberto Mina vs. Sheldon Westcott, UFC Fight Night 48 Wang Anying vs. Colby Colvington, UFC Fight Night 48 Royston Wee vs. Yao Zhikui, UFC Fight Night 48 Mirsad Bektic vs. Max Holloway, UFC Fight Night 49 An injury to Ernest Chavez has taken him out of his fight against Mirsad Beketic and the UFC called up Max Holloway to take the fight on short notice at UFC Fight Night 49, which takes place August 23 at BOK Center in Tulsa, Maine. Holloway is a great fighter in his own right but Bektic is a stud prospect and this is a very competitive fight on paper. Holloway will likely get a slight edge here because of his experience and name, but Bektic has a very good chance of pulling off the win and continuing to move up the ladder. Alex Garcia vs. Neil Magny, UFC Fight Night 49 After Matt Dwyer pulled out with an injury, the UFC called upon Neil Magny to take on Alex Garcia and the two will square off at UFC Fight Night 49. It’s a fun fight for sure pitting an explosive striker against a long-range striker and it should be a lot of fun when it goes down. Magny finally got some respect from the betting public in his last fight but Garcia always gets respect and will likely be the favorite here. Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Martin, UFC Fight Night 49 (moved from UFC 176). James Vick vs. Walmir Lazaro, UFC Fight Night 49 (moved from UFC 176) Lorenz Larkin vs. Derek Brunson, UFC 177 (moved from UFC 176) Gegard Mousasi vs. Jacare Souza, UFC Fight Night 50 (moved from UFC 176) The UFC moved Gegard Mousasi vs. Jacare Souza to UFC Fight Night 50 and the fight will be a five-round main event at the September 5 card, which takes place at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. The five rounds doesn’t change too much as both men have proven they can go five rounds strong in the past, and this should be one of the best fights of the fall when it goes down. It should be close to a Pick ’em. Alistair Overeem vs. Ben Rothwell, UFC Fight Night 50 Alistair Overeem’s next bout has been announced and it’s a fight against Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 50. No doubt Overeem will be a massive favorite in this one, but with his chin don’t be surprised if Rothwell pulls off the upset. Still, I expect Overeem to be between -300 and -400 in this one. Charles Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz, UFC Fight Night 50 Charles Oliveira asked for a rematch with Nik Lentz and the UFC gave it to him, as the two will fight at UFC Fight Night 50. This should be an excellent featherweight fight between two of the top 15 guys in the division and it should be very competitive when it goes down. Oliveira will be a slight favorite, but do no sleep on Lentz in this spot. Matt Mitrione vs. Derrick Lewis, UFC Fight Night 50 Derrick Lewis called out Matt Mitrione after his last win and the UFC obliged, booking the two heavyweights to fight at UFC Fight Night 50. It’s a fight that likely will not go the distance and it should be close in the betting lines, but based on his recent performances one would have to give Lewis a very slight edge heading into the bout. Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Kyle Noke, UFC Fight Night 52 Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama makes a return to the Octagon after a two-and-a-half-year layoff as he takes on Kyle Noke at UFC Fight Night 52, which is set to take place September 20 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Akiyama was once a great fighter but he’s currently on a four-fight losing streak and is coming of a very long layoff. The UFC is giving him a winnable fight here in Noke, but with such a long layoff it’s tough to trust him. Still, the line will be competitive and it’s possible Akiyama is even a very slight favorite due to his popularity. Kazuki Tokudome vs. Johnny Case, UFC Fight Night 52 Cat Zingano vs. Amanda Nunes, UFC 178 Former number one contender Cat Zingano finally returns to the Octagon after a year-and-a-half long layoff as she takes on Amanda Nunes at UFC 178, which is set to take place September 27 at a yet-to-be announced venue in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s likely this bout will garner the victor a title shot against UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Based on their past performances one would have to give Zingano the edge in this bout, but she hasn’t fought in a long time and Nunes has looked solid in the Octagon in her last two fights. It’s likely a more competitive bout that most figure, but Zingano will no doubt be the favorite here.
