INITIAL UFC 236 CARD ANNOUNCED

The UFC has been extremely busy over the past week, announcing several new bouts for upcoming fight cards. One of these cards is UFC 236, which takes place April 13 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Have a look at my ideas on the primary event between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier here, and also my ideas on another newly-announced bouts are under.
Eryk Anders vs. Khalil Rountree, UFC 236
Added to UFC 236 is a fascinating light heavyweight bout between Eryk Anders and Khalil Rountree. Anders (11-3) is only 3-3 from the UFC and is coming off of a decision loss to Elias Theodorou. He’s decided to make the move up to light heavyweight forever rather than cutting all that weight should help him. Rountree (7-3, 1 NC) is 3-3, 1 NC in the UFC and is coming from a KO loss to Johnny Walker. While Rountree has much more expertise fighting as a light heavyweight and is a proven knockout artist, I still believe in Anders and believe he’s more potential than that which he’s revealed in the UFC up to now. The opening line should be near a Select ‘em, but my ancient lean is towards Anders.
Paige VanZant vs. Poliana Botelho, UFC 236
Women’s flyweights Paige VanZant and Poliana Botelho will clash at this event. VanZant (8-4) is currently 5-3 in the UFC and is coming off of a submission win over Rachael Ostovich. Botelho (7-2) is 2-1 in the UFC but dropped by entry to Cynthia Calvillo in her last fight. I’d definitely prefer VanZant to get the win here and predicated on her fame I wouldn’t be surprised if the lineup was massively skewed in her favor.
Wilson Reis vs. Alexandre Pantoja, UFC 236
In a rare flyweight fight, Wilson Reis takes on Alexandre Pantoja. Reis (23-9) is 7-5 in the UFC and conquered Ben Nguyen by decision in his last bout. Pantoja (20-3) is currently 4-1 in the UFC and is coming off of two straight wins over Brandon Moreno and Ulka Sasaki. Reis is a solid veteran but all of the upside is using Pantoja and I expect him to be a tiny favorite at open. Expect the loser of the fight to be published because the UFC cuts virtually every flyweight coming off of a loss.
Ovince Saint-Preux vs. Nikita Krylov, UFC 236
In a rematch no one asked for, Ovince Saint-Preux takes on Nikita Krylov in a light heavyweight bout. St-Preux (23-12) is 11-7 in the UFC and is coming from a decision loss to Dominick Reyes. He’s a gatekeeper in 205lbs and is no longer a true title contender. Krylov (24-6) is 6-4 at the UFC and has been submitted by Jan Blachowicz in his last bout. OSP and Krylov formerly fulfilled at UFC 171 at 2014, with OSP winning by entry. I’m not exactly sure why the UFC believed this rematch was necessary, but given how their first fight went and how bad Krylov’s entry defense is, I’d favor OSP to overcome him again.
Montel Jackson vs. Andre Soukhamthath, UFC 236
And finally, bantamweights Montel Jackson and Andre Soukhamthath meet. Jackson (7-1) lost a decision to Ricky Simon in his UFC debut but bounced back nicely with a submission win over Brian Kelleher. Soukhamthath (13-6) is only 2-3 from the UFC but beat Jonathan Martinez by choice in his last fight. Soukhamthath is too inconsistent to trust, and I expect Jackson to be preferred here.
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