The UFC is planning on reserving an intriguing lightweight connection between top-15 wrestlers. My thoughts on that new matchup plus a few new bouts added to Nashville in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie, May UFC Event
The UFC is targeting a lightweight bout between Kevin Lee and Gregor Gillespie to headline a yet-to-be-announced event in May, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. The battle is not finalized yet but is very likely to be made official soon. Lee (17-4) is 10-4 at the UFC and in his final battle missing a five-round choice to Al Iaquinta. Ahead of the Iaquinta loss, Lee had set on a beatdown on Edson Barboza and despite a submission loss to Tony Ferguson earlier he remains one of the top lightweights in the sport now. Gillespie (13-0) is a perfect 6-0 at the UFC and in his last fight picked up a TKO win over Yancy Medeiros. Lee is one of those top-ranked lightweights in the UFC and is actually the younger fighter in this matchup, but I really think in Gillespie and think that he has the potential to be a champion in this sport. It is going to become a hard-fought struggle, but one I think Gillespie can triumph. I’m curious to see what the betting line is going to be with this one, however if Gillespie is a dog there would surely be worth betting on him at plus cash.
Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Jesus Pinedo, UFC Fight Night 148
An enjoyable lightweight bout between Chris Gruetzemacher and Jesus Pinedo will take place at UFC Fight Night 148, set for March 23 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Gruetzemacher (12-4) is 2-2 at the UFC and is coming from a barbarous TKO win over Joe Lauzon. Pinedo (16-4-1) is riding a seven-fight win streak and defeated Devin Powell by conclusion in his UFC debut. Pinedo is a very wonderful potential but Gruetzemacher has significantly more expertise against a high degree of competition and predicated on the win over Lauzon he has to be at least slightly favored here.
Eric Shelton vs. Jordan Espinosa, UFC Fight Night 148
An uncommon flyweight bout between Eric Shelton and Jordan Espinosa is place for UFC Fight Night 148. Shelton (12-5) is 2-3 in the UFC and is coming from a split decision win over Joseph Morales. Espinosa (13-5, 1 NC) is riding a four-fight win series including a knockout win in Dana White’s Contender Series last summer. Shelton hasn’t been anything special from the UFC while Espinosa seems like he has some good potential. I’d anticipate a close line here, with a slight lean to the more dynamic Espinosa.
Chris Gutierrez vs. Ryan MacDonald, UFC Fight Night 148
Additionally at UFC Fight Night 148, bantamweight Chris Gutierrez will fulfill short-notice replacement Ryan MacDonald. Gutierrez (12-4-1) is coming from a submission loss to Raoni Barcelos in his UFC debut but had won three straight fights prior to that. MacDonald (10-0) is a undefeated prospect who’s coming off of a submission win in LFA. He’s carrying the fight on short notice to get a wounded Martin Day. This should be a competitive struggle but despite the short notice, the simple fact that MacDonald hasn’t dropped may make him a little betting favorite at available here.
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