A few new matchups are revealed for upcoming battle cards, and I’ll present my thoughts on those new matchups in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Glover Teixeira vs. Ion Cutelaba, UFC on ESPN 3
A light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and Ion Cutelaba, which was initially set to happen back in UFC Fight Night 143, has been rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 3, taking place April 27 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Combate broke the news. Teixeira (28-7) may be 39-years old now but he showed age does not mean anything to him when he completed the younger Karl Roberson in his last bout at UFC Fight Night 143. All-time Teixeira holds a 11-5 record in the Octagon and he may not be a real title contender anymore, he is still a tough gatekeeper and the perfect test for rising light heavyweights to continue as they seem to move up the ranks. Even late in his profession, he can still complete fights.
Cutelaba (14-3, 1 NC) is 3-2 in the UFC and is coming from back-to-back knockout wins over Gadzhimurad Antigulov and Henrique da Silva. Just 25, Cutelaba is one of the greatest young light heavyweights in the UFC, but he’s still very much unproven. After viewing Teixeira come back from being down early and finish Roberson, I think you have to prefer him here to get the win against Cutelaba, though I do think Cutelaba will be more aggressive than Roberson was.
Martin Day vs. Chris Gutierrez, UFC Fight Night 148
Bantamweights Martin Day and Chris Gutierrez are set to match at UFC Fight Night 148 (UFC on ESPN+ 6), which takes place March 23 in Bridgestone Arena at Nashville, Tennessee. Day (8-3) endured a split decision loss to Pingyuan Liu in his UFC debut but had won three straight fights in the regional circuit before making his ill-fated UFC debut. Gutierrez (12-4-1) is coming off of a submission reduction to Raoni Barcelos in his own UFC introduction but had won three straight struggles in the regional circuit before that as well. This looks like a very close fight and that I expect the opening number to be near a Select’em given how even it seems on paper. I’d slightly lean towards Day to get his hands raised, but it is very close.
Boston Salmon vs. Khalid Taha, UFC 236
Bantamweights Boston Salmon and Khalid Taha will meet UFC 236, taking place April 13 at an undisclosed venue (rumored to be in Las Vegas, Nevada). These two were set to meet in the TUF 28 Finale before the battle was scrapped. News of this rebooking comes from Shawn Bitter. Salmon (6-1) picked up a decision win over Ricky Turcios about the Contender Series back in July 2017 but has not fought because due to injuries. Taha (12-2) dropped a choice to Nad Narimani in his UFC debut . Given Salmon’s extended layoff, it makes sense to lean towards Taha here, but provided that Taha is far from a top potential, but don’t be surprised is Salmon comes through and gets the win. I’d anticipate a close line either way.
Disclaimer: This page includes affiliate links and MMA Odds Breaker is going to be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the links.

Read more: sharednewspaper.com