The UFC is planning on reserving an intriguing lightweight bout between top-15 wrestlers. My ideas on that brand new matchup plus a few new bouts inserted 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 soon. Lee (17-4) is 10-4 at the UFC and in his final battle missing a five-round choice to Al Iaquinta. Before the Iaquinta loss, Lee had put to a beatdown on Edson Barboza and even though a entry loss to Tony Ferguson before that, he remains among the best lightweights in the sport now. Gillespie (13-0) is a perfect 6-0 at the UFC and in his final fight picked up a TKO win over Yancy Medeiros. Lee is among the top-ranked lightweights from the UFC and is actually the younger fighter in this matchup, but I really think in Gillespie and believe that he has the capability to be a champion in this sport. It is going to become a hard-fought struggle, but one I believe Gillespie can triumph. I am curious to see what the betting line will be for this one, but if Gillespie is a puppy there will definitely be value betting on him at plus money.
Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Jesus Pinedo, UFC Fight Night 148
A fun lightweight bout between Chris Gruetzemacher and Jesus Pinedo will take place at UFC Fight Night 148, set for March 23 in Bridgestone Arena at Nashville, Tennessee. Gruetzemacher (12-4) is currently 2-2 at the UFC and is coming from a brutal TKO win over Joe Lauzon. Pinedo (16-4-1) is riding a seven-fight win series and defeated Devin Powell by decision within his UFC debut. Pinedo is a really wonderful prospect but Gruetzemacher has significantly more expertise against a high degree of competition and based on the win over Lauzon he has to be at least slightly favored here.
Eric Shelton vs. Jordan Espinosa, UFC Fight Night 148
A rare flyweight bout between Eric Shelton and Jordan Espinosa is set for UFC Fight Night 148. Shelton (12-5) is 2-3 at the UFC and is coming off of a split decision win over Joseph Morales. Espinosa (13-5, 1 NC) is riding a four-fight win streak such as a knockout win in Dana White’s Contender Series last summer. Shelton has not been anything special from the UFC while Espinosa looks like he’s some good potential. I’d anticipate a close line here, with a slight lean to the 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 reduction to Raoni Barcelos in his UFC debut but’d won three consecutive fights before that. MacDonald (10-0) is an undefeated prospect who’s coming off of a submission win in LFA. He is carrying the fight on short notice to get a wounded Martin Day. This ought to be a competitive fight but regardless of the brief notice, the simple fact that MacDonald hasn’t dropped may make him a little betting popular at open here.
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