The Octagon heads to Yubileyny Sports Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia on April 20 for UFC Fight Night 149, along with the card is Now Beginning to shape up.
Though the UFC has not officially declared the following bouts, many media sources have reported them, and it’s expected the UFC makes them official shortly. Here are my ideas on the first three known struggles for UFC St. Petersburg.
Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov, UFC Fight Night 149
The main event of UFC Fight Night 149 is scheduled to be a five-round heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov. Denis Geyko broke the news. Overeem (44-17, 1 NC) is 9-6 overall at the UFC and is coming off of a TKO win over Sergey Pavlovich. Volkov (30-7) is currently 4-1 in the UFC and is coming from a shocking last-second KO loss to Derrick Lewis. Prior to that he had been on a six-fight win series and was nearing name contention. Had Volkov lasted just 10 more seconds against Lewis he likely would have been fighting for a name by now. I am hoping people forget exactly how close Volkov was to winning this fight, and perhaps he will be the dog here against Overeem since he is coming from a knockout win. I just don’t believe Overeem’s chin can be trusted contrary to a long, skinny and powerful striker such as Volkov, and that I lean towards the Russian within this one.
Sergey Pavlovich vs. Marcelo Golm, UFC Fight Night 149
A fun heavyweight fight between Sergey Pavlovich and Marcelo Golm will even occur with this card. Via MMADNL, Igor Lazorin broke the news. Pavlovich (12-1) was undefeated as a pro with the majority of his wins coming by knockout before he was pumped out by Overeem in his UFC debut. This was too much of a step up for Pavlovich and the UFC is finally offering him a more favorable matchup in his home country. Golm (6-2) finished Christian Colombo in his Octagon debut but has since dropped conclusions to Arjan Bhullar and Tim Johnson. Golm just hasn’t been notable in the UFC at all and although Pavlovich didn’t look great against Overeem he has several benefits in this particular fight. I anticipate the Russian to be a pretty big favorite to receive his hands raised as a result.
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Antonina Shevchenko, UFC Fight Night 149
And finally, women’s flyweights Roxanne Modafferi and Antonina are set to fight at this event. MyMMANews.com broke the struggle first. Modafferi (22-15) is 1-3 overall in the UFC and is coming from a decision loss to Sijara Eubanks. She’s had a tiny career revival since going to flyweight, but is clearly at an athletic disadvantage in this matchup. Shevchenko (7-0) is the sister of UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and she’s so far 1-0 from the Octagon with a decision win over Ji Yeon Kim. This is a really favorable matchup for Shevchenko over somebody who can’t match her in the striking and that I expect her to win a very clear choice in this one. Start looking for her to be a big preferred to collect the win.
Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links and MMA Odds Breaker is going to be compensated should you make a purchase after clicking on the links.
Read more here: http://shouhi.web-across.com/?p=53885