The Octagon’s return to Sweden is beginning to shape up. UFC Fight Night 152 takes place June 1 in Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, and the subsequent four bouts are added to the card that is predicted to be headlined by Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith.
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Ilir Latifi, UFC Fight Night 152
An exciting light heavyweight bout between Volkan Oezdemir and Ilir Latifi is the most noteworthy of the newest spells added to UFC Fight Night 152. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto broke the information. Oezdemir (15-4) is 3-3 at the UFC but is currently mired in a three-fight losing skid including a split decision loss to Dominick Reyes at UFC London just over a week back. Clearly, he wants to get back in there and place that close loss behind him. Latifi (14-6, 1 NC) is 7-4 at the UFC and many recently dropped a decision to Corey Anderson. Both guys are just beneath the elite level of the greatest light heavyweights but are far better than gatekeepers, which makes this a close one to call. Despite his losing skid I slightly lean towards Oezdemir, but Latifi combating at home in Sweden could be the difference in this fight and that I expect a very close betting line.
Jimi Manuwa vs. Aleksandar Rakic, UFC Fight Night 152
Another intriguing light heavyweight bout will see Jimi Manuwa take on Aleksandar Rakic. Manuwa (17-5) is 6-5 in the UFC and is currently riding a three-fight losing skid. He was among the most dangerous light heavyweights in the world at one time, however, the sport seems to have passed by and at age 39 he seems to be on the downside of his career, even though he could still surprise with a barbarous knockout. Rakic (11-1) is 3-0 in the UFC and is coming off of a huge knockout win over Devin Clark. Just 27, Rakic looks just like a force at 205lbs for years to come, and I’d expect hm for a large favorite to win this fight.
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Chris Fishgold, UFC Fight Night 152
Featherweights Makwan Amirkhani and Chris Fishgold are set to battle, and also the UFC has made the bout official. Amirkhani (14-3) is 4-1 overall in the Octagon and is coming off of a split decision win over Jason Knight. At one time he seemed just like a prospective featherweight contender, but accidents and long layoffs have stopped his career. Fishgold (18-2, 1 NC) was finished by Calvin Kattar in his UFC debut but rebounded with a submission win over Daniel Teymur his out time. I anticipate Amirkhani to be favored as he’s a favorite fighter, but I give Fishgold a good chance of winning this bout.
Nick Hein vs. Luigi Vendramini, UFC Fight Night 152
Nick Hein takes on Luigi Vendramini in a lightweight bout. Combate broke the news. Hein (14-4, 1 NC) is 4-3 overall in the UFC but has lost back-to-back conflicts to Damir Hadzovic and Davi Ramos. Vendramini (8-1) was undefeated with all his wins coming from stoppage before getting knocked out by leading rival Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in his UFC debut. Moving down a weight class and getting a full camp should be beneficial to Vendramini, that must be a slight favorite here.
Bea Malecki vs. Duda Santana, UFC Fight Night 152
And finally, women’s featherweights Bea Malecki and Duda Santana meet. Malecki (2-0) is a Sweden native who seemed on TUF but did not fare well on the series as she dropped. Santana (3-0) has won all three of her ace bouts but hasn’t fought because 2017. Flip a coin for this one as both women have loads of question marks .
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