The UFC continued their current string of fight announcements late to the week, and the newly-revealed bouts are listed below in the MMA odds and ends.
UFC Fight Night 147 vs. Nick Negumereanu, saparbek Safarov Because of an injury to Gokhan Saki, light heavyweight Saparbek Safarov will now take on Octagon newcomer Nick Negumereanu at UFC Fight Night 147, set for March 16 at The O2 Arena in London, England. The information was broken by nolan King of FloCombat. Safarov (8-2) has been finished by Gian Villante and Tyson Pedro in his first two UFC fights and he hasn’t fought in over a year today. Negumereanu (9-0) is a undefeated 24-year-old prospect fighting out of Romania who has finished all of his pre-UFC opponents within the distance. Despite taking the fight on short notice and making his Octagon introduction, I enjoy Negumereanu to win this battle. It’s a pure fade about the chinny Safarov, who I expect to get cut out of the UFC when he loses this battle. The chances are already out for this one, and really the UFC newcomer is a 2-to-1 preferred to receive his hand raised.
Marlon Vera vs. Frankie Saenz, UFC Fight Night 148 The UFC has re-booked the bantamweight bout between Marlon Vera and Frankie Saenz that has been scrapped days ahead of UFC 235 for UFC Fight Night 148, which takes place March 23 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Tennessee. Vera (12-5-1) is 6-4 in the UFC and is coming from back-to-back stoppage wins over Guido Cannetti and Wuliji Buren. Saenz (13-5) is 5-3 in the UFC and conquered Henry Briones and Merab Dvalishvili in his last two bouts by decision. I don’t find the line changing much from where it closed before Saenz got injured. Look for the line to be identical to what it ended it, with Vera as a near 2-to-1 favorite.
Poliana Botelho vs. Lauren Mueller, UFC 236
Due to an arm injury, Paige VanZant is out of her women’s flyweight bout against Poliana Botelho at UFC 236 and rather Lauren Mueller is taking the battle. The card has been set for April 13 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Botelho (7-2) is 2-1 in the UFC but dropped by entry to Cynthia Calvillo in her last struggle. Mueller (5-1) is 1-1 at the UFC but has been filed by Yanan Wu in her last struggle. It is another battle involving two faulty fighters who may go either way, but based on name worth I would expect Botelho to be favored here.
Greg Hardy vs. Dmitry Smoliakov, UFC on ESPN 3
Controversial heavyweight Greg Hardy will return at UFC on ESPN 3 against Dmitry Smoliakov. The card is currently set for April 27 at BB&T Center at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Igor Lazorin broke the news. Hardy (3-1) dropped by DQ to Allen Crowder in his UFC debut as a massive favored but had won his three prior pro MMA bouts by knockout. Smoliakov (9-2) has been finished in bout of his UFC looks before bouncing back with a submission win over the Russian regional arena in January. However, at 36 years of age he has no upside and the UFC is bringing him in here to shed. I would not advocate putting the juice on Hardy after what occurred in his UFC debut, but I fully expect him to be a monster favorite yet again for this fight.
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