The UFC has announced a number of new bouts throughout the last few weeks because of its upcoming pay-per-view cards this summer. Below are my thoughts on these new matchups.
Talita Bernardo vs. Melissa Gatto, UFC 237
Because of an injury to Jessica Rose Clark, Talita Bernardo will meet UFC newcomer Melissa Gatto in a women’s bantamweight bout at UFC 237, taking place May 11 in Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Bernardo (6-3) is currently 1-2 at the UFC and is coming from a decision win over Sarah Moras. Gatto (6-0-2) is undefeated in her MMA career fighting on the Brazilian regional arena. Bernardo hasn’t looked very good in the UFC and considering Gatto is only 22-years-old she is definitely someone to keep your eye when the odds for this fight come out. If she’s the underdog she could be worth a punt.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Alexa Grasso, UFC 238
A women’s strawweight bout between Karolina Kowalkiewicz and also Alexa Grasso is place for UFC 238, which takes place June 8 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The card comprises five women’s bouts in complete, including this particular fight.
Kowalkiewicz (12-4) is only 5-4 in the UFC and is coming from back-to-back losses to Jessica Andrade and Michelle Waterson. She is making a fast return to the Octagon as the struggle against Waterson took place only a few weeks ago, and she is probably in a must-win situation in this struggle against Grasso in UFC 238. Grasso (10-2) is 2-2 in the UFC but hasn’t fought since last May when she was submitted by Tatiana Suarez. Both Kowalkiewicz and Grasso have been solid-yet-flawed fighters, but based on her experience I’d guess Kowalkiewicz are a slight favorite in the open.
Diego Sanchez vs. Michael Chiesa, UFC 239
Welterweights Diego Sanchez and Michael Chiesa are scheduled to fight at UFC 239, occurring July 6 in T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sanchez (29-11) is 18-11 all time inside the Octagon and is one of the longest-tenured fighters on the UFC roster and also a future Hall of Famer. He moved up to welterweight this past year and has since gone 1-2 using a weight loss loss to Matt Brown followed by back-to-back wins over Craig White and Mickey Gall, who he only finished in catastrophic fashion. Chiesa (15-4) is 8-4 in the UFC and submitted Carlos Condit in his welterweight debut in his last bout. Both Sanchez and Chiesa looked amazing in their last fights, but given that Sanchez is 37 and has taken a whole lot of harm during his career, you have to lean towards Chiesa here.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Jack Marshman, UFC 239
Middleweight prospect Edmen Shahbazyan returns at UFC 239 when he takes on Jack Marshman.
Shahbazyan (9-0) is just 21-years-old and is currently 2-0 in the UFC with a knockout win over Charles Byrd plus also a split decision win over Darren Stewart. He is among the best young prospects in 185lbs and all but one of his career successes has come by knockout. Marshman (23-8) is 3-3 in the UFC and is coming from a controversial split decision win over John Phillips. Although Marshman is a good gateekeeper in 185lbs, Shahbazyan is the future of the division, and he will definitely be a massive favorite heading into this particular bout.
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