A number of new UFC bouts were announced over the last 24 hours, and for today’s MMA Odds and Ends I’ll give my initial thoughts on all of them. Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton, UFC 181 Todd Duffee will return from a two-year layoff when he takes on Anthony Hamilton at UFC 181, which takes place December 6 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Duffee called out Hamilton for his return fight and I can’t blame him. Unless Duffee is completely shot now, he should steamroll Hamilton and win this fight by impressive knockout. You never know with Duffee’s chin, but I do feel he should be a big favorite heading into this fight, one I expect him to win in devastating fashion. Joe Ellenberger vs. Bryan Barberena, The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale A 155lb bout between Joe Ellenberger and Bryan Barberena was added to the TUF 20 Finale, which is set for December 12 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ellenberger didn’t look good at all against James Moontasri in his UFC debut, a fight that Moontasri took on short notice after Barberena was injured. The UFC clearly likes the matchup as they have once again booked it, and just like the first fight I think Barberena can pull it off. Having said that, I expect Ellenberger to be the favorite due to all the hype surrounding him. Yancy Medeiros vs. Joe Proctor, The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale A lightweight bout between Yancy Medeiros and Joe Proctor was also added to the TUF 20 Finale. This should be a fun lightweight contest and it’s a close matchup that could go either way. I believe Medeiros has fought the better competition though and I think that experience should help him in this fight. It wouldn’t shock me if Proctor won, but I do favor Medeiros slightly as I believe he’s a more talented overall fighter. Stefan Struve vs. Alistair Overeem, UFC on FOX 13 A heavyweight bout between Stefan Stuve and Alistair Overeem has been added to UFC on FOX 13, which takes place December 13 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Struve hasn’t fought since March 2013 and recently his fight against Matt Mitrione at UFC 175 was scratched after Struve had a panic attack backstage. That’s not a good sign at all, and it makes it hard to confidently bet on him. Having said that, Overeem is coming off of another brutal KO loss and in general hasn’t looked good at all in the last few years ever since his drug suspension for PEDs in 2012. This fight can go either way, but I lean towards Struve slightly, although I do think Overeem will be the favorite. Ed Herman vs. Derek Brunson, UFC on FOX 13 A middleweight bout between Ed Herman and Derek Brunson was also added to UFC on FOX 13. Both men have looked pretty good as of late, with Herman coming off of a decision win over Rafael Natal and Brunson coming off of a win over Lorenz Larkin. This is going to be a competitive fight and while Brunson’s chin does scare me, I don’t think Herman is going to knock him out and while the grappling should be close, I do favor Brunson there. Look for a competitive line with a slight lean towards Brunson. CB Dollaway vs. Lyoto Machida, UFC Fight Night 58 And finally, a middleweight bout between CB Dollaway and Lyoto Machida will be the main event of UFC Fight Night 58, which takes place December 20 at Ginasio Jose Correa in Barueri, Brazil. Although Dollaway is on a nice streak at the moment and deserving of a step up in competition, Machida is a nightmare matchup for him. While Dollaway does have improving striking to go along with his already-solid wrestling, Machida is obviously the superior standup fighter and his wrestling defence is extremely impressive. I like Dollaway, but I don’t give him much of a chance here. Look for Machida to be a massive favorite here, perhaps in the -500 region.
