The UFC is planning on booking an intriguing lightweight connection between top-15 wrestlers. My thoughts on that new matchup plus a few new spells inserted to Nashville in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie, May UFC Event
The UFC is targeting a lightweight bout between Kevin Lee and Gregor Gillespie to headline a yet-to-be-announced event in May, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. The battle is not finalized yet but is likely to be made soon. Lee (17-4) is 10-4 in the UFC and in his final fight lost a five-round decision to Al Iaquinta. Before the Iaquinta loss, Lee had put to a beatdown on Edson Barboza and despite a submission loss to Tony Ferguson earlier he remains one of the best lightweights in the game today. Gillespie (13-0) is a perfect 6-0 at the UFC and in his final fight picked up a TKO win over Yancy Medeiros. Lee is among the top-ranked lightweights in the UFC and is really the younger fighter in this matchup, but I truly believe in Gillespie and believe that he has the capability to be a winner in this game. It is going to become a hard-fought fight, but one I think Gillespie can win. I’m curious to find out what the betting line will be with this one, however if Gillespie is a dog there will definitely be worth betting on him plus cash.
Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Jesus Pinedo, UFC Fight Night 148
A fun lightweight bout between Chris Gruetzemacher and Jesus Pinedo will take place at UFC Fight Night 148, set for March 23 in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Gruetzemacher (12-4) is 2-2 at the UFC and is coming off of a brutal TKO win over Joe Lauzon. Pinedo (16-4-1) is riding a seven-fight win series and defeated Devin Powell by decision within his UFC debut. Pinedo is a really wonderful prospect but Gruetzemacher has more expertise against a high level of competition and predicated on the win over Lauzon he has to be slightly favored here.
Eric Shelton vs. Jordan Espinosa, UFC Fight Night 148
An uncommon flyweight bout between Eric Shelton and Jordan Espinosa is set for UFC Fight Night 148. Shelton (12-5) is 2-3 in the UFC and is coming from a split decision win over Joseph Morales. Espinosa (13-5, 1 NC) is riding a four-fight win streak including a knockout win in Dana White’s Contender Series last summer. Shelton has not been anything special from the UFC while Espinosa seems like he has some solid potential. I would anticipate a snug line , with a little lean to the more dynamic Espinosa.
Chris Gutierrez vs. Ryan MacDonald, UFC Fight Night 148
Also at UFC Fight Night 148, bantamweight Chris Gutierrez will fulfill short-notice replacement Ryan MacDonald. Gutierrez (12-4-1) is coming from a submission reduction to Raoni Barcelos in his UFC debut but’d won three consecutive fights before that. MacDonald (10-0) is a undefeated prospect who is coming from a submission win in LFA. He’s carrying the fight on short notice to get an injured Martin Day. This ought to be a competitive struggle but regardless of the short notice, the simple fact that MacDonald has never lost may make him a small betting favorite at open here.
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