The UFC announced a number of new bouts over the weekend, and for today’s MMA Odds and Ends I’ll give my quick thoughts on these newly-announced fights. Josh Thomson vs. Bobby Green, UFC on FOX 12 Due to an injury to Michael Johnson, the UFC called upon Bobby Green to fill in for Johnson against Josh Thomson and the two will square off at UFC on FOX 12, which takes place July 26 at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. This is a big opportunity for Green to jump into the top 10 but Thomson, despite his age, is still one of the top lightweights in the sport. Although I do think Green has a chance at pulling off the upset, Thomson should be the favorite here of at least 2-to-1. Abel Trujillo vs. Ross Pearson, UFC Fight Night 47 After Green was pulled from his fight against Abel Trujillo, the UFC called on Ross Pearson to fill in for Green and he will take on Trujillo at UFC Fight Night 47, which takes place August 16 at Cross Insurance Arena in Bangor, Maine. This is a very competitive fight between two excellent strikers and it will likely be close to a Pick ’em with a slight lean towards Pearson, who is more technical on the feet. But realistically either man could win. Ramsey Nijem vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira, UFC 177 A lightweight bout bout between Ramsey Nijem and Carlos Diego Ferreira was added to UFC 177, which takes place August 30 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, CA. Nijem looked excellent in his last fight against Beneil Dairush while Ferreira also impressed against Colton Smith. This is a tough one to call but Ferreira will likely be a slight favorite due to his impressive record on paper. Anthony Hamilton vs. Ruan Potts, UFC 177 As well, a heavyweight bout between Anthony Hamilton and Ruan Potts was added to UFC 177. Hamilton is a huge heavyweight with big knockout power while Potts showed in his UFC debut that his chin and size are lacking for the heavyweight division. Look for Hamilton to be the favorite here, and he likely knocks Potts out. Rodrigo Damm vs. Al Iaquinta, UFC Fight Night 50 A lightweight bout between Rodrigo Damm and Al Iaquinta was added to UFC Fight Night 50, which takes place September 5 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT. It’s a competitive fight between two 155lbers but Iaquinta is a lot younger and has a better chin and if he keeps the fight on the feet he should win. Chris Beal vs. Rob Font, UFC Fight Night 50 A bantamweight bout between Chris Beal and Rob Font was also added to UFC Fight Night 50. Both men are coming off impressive knockouts in their UFC debut but Font’s knockout was higher profile and he likely enters this bout as a very slight favorite. Either way, it likely doesn’t go the full three rounds. Rafael Natal vs. Chris Camozzi, UFC Fight Night 50 As well, a middleweight fight between Rafael Natal and Chris Camozzi will take place at UFC Fight Night 50. It’s a competitive fight between two middleweights in need of a win and it should be close to a Pick ’em in the betting odds. Paulo Thiago vs. Mike Rhodes, UFC Fight Night 51 A welterweight bout between Paulo Thiago and Mike Rhodes was added to UFC Fight Night 51, which takes place September 13 at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. Thiago has lost three fights in a row and while Rhodes is on a two-fight losing streak himself, he has a much higher upside and should get the win here. Look for Rhodes to be at least a 2-to-1 favorite here. Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sergio Moraes, UFC Fight Night 51 A welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Sergio Moraes was also added to UFC Fight Night 51. This is a fun fight between two likeable Brazilians. The biggest question mark here is Moraes’ long layoff and his advancing age. It’s a close fight and it should be near a Pick ’em in the odds. Igor Araujo vs. George Sullivan, UFC Fight Night 51 As well, a welterweight matchup between Igor Araujo and George Sullivan was added to UFC Fight Night 51. This fight should be a real grinder between two tough outs at 170lbs, but I believe Sullivan will be able to do a little bit more with his striking and I think that he wins this fight, although I do expect a competitive line. Patrick Cote vs. Stephen Thompson, UFC 178 A welterweight bout between Patrick Cote and Stephen Thompson was added to UFC 178, which takes place September 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although Cote has long been known for his iron chin, his chin was shown signs of wear and tear as of late and Thompson is a powerful, dangerous striker and could very well knock Cote out for the first time. Look for “Wonderboy” to be the favorite here as he continues to try and climb the welterweight ladder. John Howard vs. Brian Ebersole, UFC 178 And finally, a welterweight bout between John Howard and Brian Ebersole was also added to UFC 178. Both fighters are coming off of losses and the loser of this matchup could be released. Although Ebersole is a tricky, unorthodox veteran, Howard should be the favorite here at around -200 or so as he’s younger and has looked much better as of late.
