Last week, we have information that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to fight Anthony Smith. The UFC made that fight official on the weekend, and the March 2 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada is currently a go with the GOAT seeking to defend his title in the primary event.
Besides the affirmation of Jones vs. Smith, a couple other fights for UFC 235 were revealed over the weekend, and I’ll give my initial thoughts on these new matchups in today’s MMA odds and ends.
UFC 235 vs. Marlon Vera, frankie Saenz Because of an accident to Thomas Almeida, veteran Frankie Saenz is stepping up on short notice to resist the slumping Marlon Vera in a bantamweight bout at UFC 235. Ariel Helwani of ESPN broke the news. Saenz (13-5) is 5-2 overall from the UFC and is coming from back-end choice wins over Henry Briones and Merab Dvalishvili. At one point it looked like he can get cut from the UFC after enduring a three-fight losing skid, but he’s bounced back nicely since then. At age 38, this can be the last chance he’s got to make a title run.
Vera (12-5-1) is only 6-4-1 from the UFC but he has fought a high amount of competition inside the Octagon and also his record does not do justice to the kind of fighter he is. Vera is coming off of back-to-back stoppage wins over Guido Cannetti and Wuliji Buren and at age 26 is beginning to really come into his own as a fighter. No doubt Vera will be looking to keep this battle with Saenz around the toes while Saenz will be looking for the takedown. Although Saenz is a crafty veteran and will probably make this battle more aggressive than the lineup will suggest, it is hard to go from the younger Vera and I expect him to be a sizeable preferred for the win.
Charles Byrd vs. Edmen Shahbazyan, UFC 235
Middleweights Charles Byrd and Edmen Shahbazyan are set to clash at UFC 235 as well. This fight is official as per the UFC. Byrd (10-5) had an excellent UFC debut last spring when he filed John Phillips at the first round at UFC Fight Night 127. He was a gambling favorite for his next fight against Darren Stewart in UFC 228, however following a solid first round he faded badly and was pumped out. At age 35, Byrd looks to be more of a gatekeeper as opposed to a late-blooming contender that some thought he might be after his successful stint on the Contender Series.
Shahbazyan (8-0) was undefeated heading to his UFC debut with all of his wins coming by first-round knockout, but struggled in a split decision win on the above Stewart. He did get the nod and at age 21 must learn a lot from that fight, but he showed a great deal of holes from Stewart a veteran like Byrd could exploit. I’d still have to prefer Shahbazyan somewhat just because of the age difference and the knockout energy, but I’ve a feeling this struggle is going to be more aggressive than many want to think.
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