The UFC has been extremely busy over the last week, announcing a number of new bouts for upcoming fight cards. One of those cards is UFC 236, that takes place April 13 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Have a look at my ideas on the primary event between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier here, and my thoughts on the other newly-announced bouts are under.
Eryk Anders vs. Khalil Rountree, UFC 236
Added to UFC 236 is an intriguing light heavyweight bout between Eryk Anders and Khalil Rountree. Anders (11-3) is only 3-3 in the UFC and is coming off of a decision loss to Elias Theodorou. He has chosen to make the move up to light heavyweight permanently and not cutting all that burden should help him. Rountree (7-3, 1 NC) is 3-3, 1 NC in the UFC and is coming from a KO loss to Johnny Walker. While Rountree has more experience fighting as a light hearted and is a proven knockout artist, I still believe in Anders and believe he has more potential than that which he is revealed in the UFC so far. The opening line should be close to a Select ’em, but my ancient lean is towards Anders.
Paige VanZant vs. Poliana Botelho, UFC 236
Women’s flyweights Paige VanZant and Poliana Botelho will battle at this function. VanZant (8-4) is currently 5-3 at the UFC and is coming from a submission win over Rachael Ostovich. Botelho (7-2) is 2-1 at the UFC but lost by submission to Cynthia Calvillo in her final struggle. I would definitely prefer VanZant to get the win here and predicated on her fame I wouldn’t be surprised if the line was hugely skewed in her favor.
Wilson Reis vs. Alexandre Pantoja, UFC 236
In a rare flyweight struggle, Wilson Reis takes on Alexandre Pantoja. Reis (23-9) is 7-5 at the UFC and defeated Ben Nguyen by choice in his last bout. Pantoja (20-3) is currently 4-1 at the UFC and is coming off of two straight wins over Brandon Moreno and Ulka Sasaki. Reis is a solid veteran but all the upside here is using Pantoja and that I expect him to be a tiny favorite at open. Anticipate the failure of this fight to be published as the UFC cuts almost every flyweight coming off of a loss.
Ovince Saint-Preux vs. Nikita Krylov, UFC 236
In a rematch no one asked , Ovince Saint-Preux takes on Nikita Krylov at a light heavyweight bout. St-Preux (23-12) is 11-7 in the UFC and is coming off of a decision loss to Dominick Reyes. He’s a gatekeeper in 205lbs and is no longer a true title contender. Krylov (24-6) is 6-4 in the UFC and has been submitted by Jan Blachowicz in his final bout. OSP and Krylov previously met at UFC 171 at 2014, with OSP winning by entry. I’m not exactly certain why the UFC believed this rematch was necessary, but given their initial fight went and how bad Krylov’s entry defense is, I would favor OSP to overcome him again.
Montel Jackson vs. Andre Soukhamthath, UFC 236
And finally, bantamweights Montel Jackson and Andre Soukhamthath meet. Jackson (7-1) lost a decision to Ricky Simon in his UFC debut but bounced back nicely with a submission win over Brian Kelleher. Soukhamthath (13-6) is just 2-3 in the UFC but beat Jonathan Martinez by choice in his final struggle. Soukhamthath is too inconsistent to trust, and I expect Jackson to be preferred here.
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