A few new UFC bouts were announced in the middle of the week, and for today’s MMA Odds and Ends I’ll give my thoughts on all of them. Yaotzin Meza vs. Damian Stasiak, UFC Fight Night 64 A featherweight matchup has come together on extremely short notice as Yaotzin Meza has agreed to move up a weight class and take on UFC newcomer Damian Stasiak at next weekend’s UFC Fight Night 64 card, which takes place April 11 at Krakow Arena in Krakow, Poland. This is a weird fight booking because it’s on short notice, Meza is moving up a weight class, and Stasiak is a UFC newbie. Considering the fight is next week, it leaves not only both fighters little time to prepare but also bettors, who have to do their due diligence quickly for this one. I think ultimately people are going to be fading Meza without even watching tape on Stasiak, so I’m expecting the Pole to be favored here, but this is not a fight that I suggest betting on just because of the odd circumstances. Albert Tumenov vs. Hector Urbina, UFC 188 A welterweight bout between up-and-coming destroyer Albert Tumenov and Hector Urbina has been added to UFC 188, which takes place June 13 at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico. Tumenov is a guy I’m extremely high on while Urbina is someone who I don’t think is really UFC quality. It’s weird the UFC would send a Russian to Mexico to beat the hometown guy, but I think that’s what’s happening here. Look for Tumenov to be around -300 in this matchup, one that I expect him to win by knockout. Jeremy Stephens vs. Dennis Bermudez, UFC 189 A featherweight fight between Jeremy Stephens and Dennis Bermudez is the latest addition to UFC 189, which is set for July 11 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a tough fight to call. Stephens is a powerful striker with good takedown defence and certainly has the capabilities to knock out Bermudez, but Bermudez is a really strong wrestler with finishing ability himself and he will make this a tough fight for Stephens anywhere it goes. This is a really hard fight to call and I’m expecting a Pick ’em when the odds are released. Right now, I lean ever-so-slightly towards Stephens, but it’s really tough. Sean Strickland vs. Igor Araujo, UFC Fight Night 72 And finally, a welterweight matchup between Sean Strickland and Igor Araujo will go down at UFC Fight Fight Night 72 on July 15 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. This is a bounce-back fight for Strickland and I just don’t see how he loses. He’s a far superior fighter to Araujo in almost every single way and I expect him to mop the floor with his opponent in this one. As for the odds, look for Strickland to open around -400 here.
