The UFC recently announced its return to Sacramento, California, set for July 13 in Golden 1 Center. Quite a few fresh bouts are added into the card, and my first thoughts on these are below.
Nicco Montano vs. Sara McMann, UFC Fight Night 155
Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano will go back to the Octagon as she moves upward to the bantamweight division when she takes on Sara McMann. Montano (4-2) won TUF 26 with a choice win over Roxanne Modafferi back in December 2017 but has not competed since then due to some USADA violation and numerous issues making weight. She ran through the contest on TUF, but so far has not done anything at the UFC. Perhaps moving up in weight can help her out, but it is hard to say at this point. McMann (11-5) 5-5 general from the UFC and has not won a fight since a 2017 submission win over Gina Mazany. Ever since then she’s dropped back-to-back entry defeats to Ketlen Vieira and Marion Reneau and looks like a shell of her former self. This is fantastic matchmaking here and also an intriguing style matchup, but with bettors surely seeking to fade McMann I would expect Montano to be a slight favorite in this one.
Ryan Hall vs. Darren Elkins, UFC 155
Featherweights Ryan Hall and Darren Elkins are set to battle. Hall (7-1) won TUF 22 and has since moved 3-0 at the UFC with wins over Artem Lobov, Gray Maynard, also in his last outing, a beautiful heel hook entry win over BJ Penn.. He barely struggles, but when he does he’s showed some fantastic potential. Elkins (24-7) is 14-6 overall from the UFC but has dropped back-to-back conflicts to Ricardo Lamas and Alexander Volkanovski. However, he is among the toughest fighters at 145lbs there’s. Although Hall is an excellent grappler, Elkins ought to have the ability to neutralize him, and given all of his achievement from the UFC he should be the favorite in this struggle.
Cynthia Calvillo vs. Livia Renata Souza, UFC 155
A fascinating women’s strawweight bout between Cynthia Calvillo and Livia Renata Souza is also set for this particular card. Calvillo (8-1) is 5-1 at the UFC and has won back fights over Poliana Botelho and Cortney Casey because her lone career reduction to Carla Esparza. Souza (13-1) is now riding a four-fight win series and has won both of her UFC bouts over Alex Chambers and Sarah Frota. This is a great fight between two of their best strawweights on the planet. If I had to guess, Calvillo will be a small favorite because of getting more UFC experience along with a bigger title, but Souza is a live puppy to win this battle.
Benito Lopez vs. Martin Day, UFC 155 And lastly, bantamweight prospects Benito Lopez and Martin Day are set to battle. Lopez (9-1) is currently 1-1 in the UFC with a decision win over Albert Morales and a submission loss to Manny Bermudez in his last outing, the initial loss of his MMA career. However, he’s only 25 and stays a top prospect in 135lbs. Day (8-3) dropped a split decision to Pingyuan Liu in his UFC debut this past year. Although Day is a solid fighter, Lopez has much more upside and ought to be the favorite here.
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