Once again, the UFC is making sure its FOX network card is filled with meaningful fights and recognizable stars. While the card hasn’t been finalized, Holly Holm, Anthony Johnson, Gilbert Melendez and Edson Barboza have all been contracted to fight on July 23. Let’s take a look at some odds.
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THE RETURN OF HOLLY
Holly Holm vs. Valentina Shevchenko
ODDS COMING SOON
After beating the snot out of Ronda Rousey to win the 135-pound strap, Holm was cruising in her first title defense against Miesha Tate until “Cupcake” mounted a stunning fifth-round comeback to snatch the belt. Holm and Co. campaigned for an immediate rematch, but were left fuming when Tate was matched up with contender Amanda Nunes.
Now, she faces the last girl that Nunes beat, Peru’s Valentina Shevchenko. On paper, it looks like a sweet matchup between high-level strikers. Holm better brush up on her grappling though, because she was exposed by Tate on the ground and Shevchenko has five slick subs on her resume.
HERE COME THE BOOM
Anthony Johnson vs. Glover Teixeira
ODDS COMING SOON
Here’s an idea: let’s put the two hardest hitting light heavyweights in the UFC in the octagon and watch them slug it out. Sounds like a plan to me! Seriously, signing the dotted line to fight Anthony “Rumble” Johnson must kind of feel like signing your death warrant. Especially when Rumble’s on the warpath trying to stake a claim at a title shot. There is just no margin for error when you’re facing a guy with supernatural punching power like Johnson.
MELENDEZ BACK IN ACTION
Edson Barboza vs. Gilbert Melendez
ODDS COMING SON
Former lightweight contender Gilbert Melendez will take his first fight since being suspended for PEDs. The UFC is not giving him any time to get settled in, matching him up against Muay Thai cyborg Edson Barboza -- who is fresh off a signature win over Anthony Pettis. If Melendez is diminished at all after his forced sabbatical, he’s in for long night of painful leg kicks.
BEST OF THE REST
Felice Herrig vs. Kailin Curran
Eddie Wineland vs. Frankie Saenz
Herrig proclaimed a matchup between her and Paige VanZant as a bout between “the hot girls of MMA”, which is kind of annoying. She then got trucked by PVZ and is looking to bounce back against Kailin Curran, who is coming off a win against Emily Kagan. Both women are still relative newcomers to the UFC and are in need of Ws for job security.
Former WEC champion Eddie Wineland is just 1-3 in his past four fights and hasn’t stepped inside the octagon in about a year. Saenz is coming off a tough loss to Urijah Faber that halted a three-fight winning streak under the UFC banner. While there are little title implications in their bout, Wineland is an exciting fighter that thrives when circumstances get bloody.
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HOW TO BET
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