INITIAL UFC 236 CARD ANNOUNCED

The UFC was extremely busy over the last week, announcing several new bouts for upcoming fight cards. One of these cards is UFC 236, that takes place April 13 in State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Have a look at my thoughts on the primary event between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier here, and my ideas on the other 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 chosen to make the move up to light heavyweight permanently rather than cutting all that weight should help . 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 more experience fighting as a light hearted and is a known knockout artist, I still believe in Anders and think he’s more potential than what he’s shown in the UFC so far. The opening line should be near a Pick Celtics, however my early lean is towards Anders.
Paige VanZant vs. Poliana Botelho, UFC 236
Women’s flyweights Paige VanZant and Poliana Botelho will battle at this event. VanZant (8-4) is 5-3 in the UFC and is coming off of a submission win over Rachael Ostovich. Botelho (7-2) is 2-1 at the UFC but dropped by entry to Cynthia Calvillo in her last struggle. I would definitely prefer VanZant for the win and predicated on her fame I wouldn’t be surprised if the line was hugely 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 final bout. Pantoja (20-3) is 4-1 at the UFC and is coming off of two straight wins over Brandon Moreno and Ulka Sasaki. Reis is a good veteran but all the upside here is using Pantoja and that I hope him to be a small popular at open. Expect the loser of this struggle to be released as 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 , Ovince Saint-Preux takes on Nikita Krylov in a light heavyweight bout. St-Preux (23-12) is 11-7 at the UFC and is coming off of a decision loss to Dominick Reyes. He is a gatekeeper in 205lbs and is no longer a true title contender. Krylov (24-6) is 6-4 in the UFC and has been filed by Jan Blachowicz in his final bout. OSP and Krylov previously met at UFC 171 in 2014, with OSP winning by submission. I am not exactly sure why the UFC felt this rematch was necessary, but given how their initial battle went and how awful Krylov’s submission defense is, I’d prefer OSP to beat him again.
Montel Jackson vs. Andre Soukhamthath, UFC 236
And finally, bantamweights Montel Jackson and Andre Soukhamthath meet. Jackson (7-1) chose to Ricky Simon in his UFC debut but bounced back nicely with a submission win over Brian Kelleher. Soukhamthath (13-6) is just 2-3 in the UFC but conquer Jonathan Martinez by decision in his final fight. Soukhamthath is too inconsistent to trust, and that I expect Jackson to be favored here.
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