Last weekwe have information that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to fight Anthony Smith. The UFC created that struggle official over the weekend, and the March 2 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada is currently a go with the GOAT looking to defend his name in the primary event.
Besides the affirmation of Jones vs. Smith, a few other struggles for UFC 235 were revealed over the weekend, and I’ll give my first thoughts on these new matchups in the current MMA odds and ends.
UFC 235 vs. Marlon Vera, frankie Saenz Because of an accident to Thomas Almeida, veteran Frankie Saenz is stepping up on short notice to fight the slumping Marlon Vera at a bantamweight bout at UFC 235. Ariel Helwani of ESPN broke the information. Saenz (13-5) is 5-2 overall from the UFC and is coming off of back-to-back choice wins over Henry Briones and Merab Dvalishvili. At one point it seemed like he may get cut from the UFC after suffering a three-fight losing skid, but he has bounced back well since then. At age 38, this can be the last chance he has to make a title run.
Vera (12-5-1) is just 6-4-1 from the UFC but he’s fought a high level of competition inside the Octagon and also his album doesn’t do justice to the type of fighter he is. Vera is coming from back-to-back stoppage wins Guido Cannetti and Wuliji Buren and at age 26 is beginning to really come into his own as a fighter. No doubt Vera is going to be seeking to keep this fight with Saenz around the feet while Saenz will be looking for the takedown. Though Saenz is a crafty veteran and will likely make this battle more aggressive than the lineup will suggest, it’s difficult to go from the younger Vera and I expect him to be a sizeable favorite for the win.
Charles Byrd vs. Edmen Shahbazyan, UFC 235
Middleweights Charles Byrd and Edmen Shahbazyan are set to clash at UFC 235 too. This battle is official as per the UFC. Byrd (10-5) had a terrific UFC debut last spring when he submitted John Phillips at the first round at UFC Fight Night 127. He was a gambling favorite because of his next battle against Darren Stewart in UFC 228, however following a strong first round he faded badly and was brutally knocked out. At age 35, Byrd seems to be a gatekeeper rather than a late-blooming competition that some believed he might be following his successful stint on the Contender Series.
Shahbazyan (8-0) was undefeated heading into his UFC debut with all of his wins coming from first-round knockout, but fought in a split decision win over the aforementioned Stewart. He’d get the nod and at age 21 must learn a lot from that struggle, but he showed a lot of holes against Stewart a veteran like Byrd may exploit. I’d still need to favor Shahbazyan somewhat just due to the age difference and the knockout power, but I have a feeling this fight is going to be more competitive than most want to believe.
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