The UFC is planning on booking an intriguing lightweight connection between top-15 wrestlers. My thoughts on that brand 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 isn’t finalized yet but is very likely to be made official soon. Lee (17-4) is 10-4 at the UFC and in his last battle missing a five-round decision to Al Iaquinta. Before the Iaquinta reduction, Lee had set on a beatdown on Edson Barboza and even though a entry loss to Tony Ferguson earlier that, he remains among the best lightweights in the sport today. Gillespie (13-0) is a perfect 6-0 in 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 really the younger fighter in this matchup, but I truly believe in Gillespie and think that he has the potential to be a champion in this sport. It is likely to be a hard-fought fight, but one I think Gillespie can win. I am curious to see what the gambling line will be with this one, however when Gillespie is a puppy there will definitely be value betting on him plus cash.
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 2-2 at the UFC and is coming off of a barbarous TKO win over Joe Lauzon. Pinedo (16-4-1) is riding a seven-fight win series and defeated Devin Powell by decision in his UFC debut. Pinedo is a really wonderful prospect but Gruetzemacher has significantly more experience against a high level of competition and based on the triumph over Lauzon he needs to be 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 off of a split decision win over Joseph Morales. Espinosa (13-5, 1 NC) is riding a four-fight win streak including a knockout win in Dana White’s Contender Series past summer. Shelton has not been anything special in the UFC while Espinosa seems like he has some good potential. I’d expect a snug line here, with a slight lean to the more dynamic Espinosa.
Chris Gutierrez vs. Ryan MacDonald, UFC Fight Night 148
Also 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 had won three straight fights before that. MacDonald (10-0) is a undefeated prospect who is coming off of a submission win in LFA. He’s taking the fight on short notice for a wounded Martin Day. This ought to be a competitive struggle but regardless of the brief notice, the simple fact that MacDonald has never lost could make him a small betting popular at open here.
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