UFC 238 occurs June 8 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, and also the card recently had a range of fresh bouts added to the card. Below are my initial thoughts on them.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Pedro Munhoz, UFC 238
Leading bantamweight contenders Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz are set to meet UFC 238. The bout was first reported by ESPN. Sterling (17-3) is 9-3 at the UFC and is now riding a three-fight win series that includes a conclusion win over Jimmie Rivera his last time out. Munhoz (18-3, 1 NC) is 8-3, 1 NC and can also be riding a three-fight win series which includes an incredible KO over Cody Garbrandt in his last bout. Although Sterling has looked great recently and is finally starting to fulfill his potential, Munhoz’ win over Garbrandt revealed that he’s an elite bantamweight from the game, and he deserves to be the favorite in this fight.
Jimmie Rivera vs. Petr Yan, UFC 238
As well, bantamweights Jimmie Rivera and Petr Yan will fight at UFC 238. Rivera (22-3) is a remarkable 6-2 overall from the UFC but is coming from a decision loss to Aljamain Sterling. Yan (12-1) is currently 4-0 in the UFC and many recently conquered John Dodson by decision. Rivera has been a solid bantamweight for many years inside the Octagon but using a 1-2 record over his last few fights is beginning to show significant signs of a decrease, whereas Yan seems like he might be a future winner at 135lbs. I would expect Yan for a sizeable favorite in this bout.
Ricardo Lamas vs. Calvin Kattar, UFC 238
An intriguing featherweight bout pits Ricardo Lamas contrary to Calvin Kattar. The news of this bout was initially reported by The Chicago Tribune. Lamas (19-7) is 10-5 overall at the UFC and is coming from a TKO win over Darren Elkins. Kattar (19-3) is currently 3-1 at the UFC and many recently conquered Chris Fishgold by TKO. Lamas was a great, underrated featherweight for several years inside the Octagon, but Kattar has appeared amazing in every fight he’s had from the UFC save for his decision loss to Renato Moicano. I would need to slightly favor Kattar to win this battle.
Felice Herrig vs. Xiaonan Yan, UFC 238
Women’s strawweights collide as Felice Herrig is set to take on Xiaonan Yan. Herrig (14-8) is a Chicago-area native who is 5-3 overall in the UFC, but she is coming from back-to-back decision losses to Michelle Waterson and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Yan (10-0, 1 NC) is 3-0 so far in the UFC but her greatest win is likely over Kailin Curran. Yan is a decent prospect at 115lbs, but I am not ready to write off Herrig just yet, and I would need to favor her to win this fight.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Blagoy Ivanov, UFC 238
And heavyweights Tai Tuivasa and Blagoy Ivanov will clash at UFC 238. Tuivasa (8-1) is currently 3-1 at the UFC but is coming off of a barbarous TKO loss to Junior dos Santos. Ivanov (17-2, 1 NC) is 1-1 in the UFC with a choice loss to JDC and a decision win over Ben Rothwell. This resembles a coin flip, but according to Tuivasa’s youth benefit and KO power I’d slightly lean towards him to get the win.
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