The UFC recently revealed the first lineup for UFC on ESPN 3, which takes place April 27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. The rumored primary event between middleweight sluggers Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa wasn’t officially announced, but the UFC did confirm a previously-reported light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and Ion Cutelaba, in addition to a bantamweight bout between John Lineker and Cory Sandhagen. You may find my recently-posted ideas on these spells through the hyperlinks. As for my thoughts on the other newly-announced bouts, you can read them below.
Carla Esparza vs. Livia Renato Souza, UFC on ESPN 3
The most noteworthy of this new matchups announced is a women’s strawweight bout between Carla Esparza and Livia Renata Souza. Esparza (13-6) is 4-4 at the UFC and is a former winner, but she’s coming from a beatdown TKO loss to Tatiana Suarez. Souza (13-1) is 2-0 in the UFC and is a former Invicta champion herself, now riding a four-fight win streak in general. That is a winnable struggle for Esparza but I really don’t understand how anyone can have faith in her at this point. She might be a small favorite here, but each of the upside down is with Souza.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Augusto Sakai, UFC on ESPN 3
Heavyweights Andrei Arlovski and Augusto Sakai will meet with this card. Arlovski (27-18, 1 NC) is 6-8 in his latest stint in the UFC and is now riding a three-fight losing skid with a choice loss to Walt Harris his out time. Sakai (12-1-1) is coming off of a TKO win over Chase Sherman in his UFC debut and is about a three-fight win streak in general. Arlovski is an easy fade at this point and I expect Sakai to bet a solid favorite here.
Jim Miller vs. Jason Gonzalez, UFC on ESPN 3
Lightweights Jim Miller and Jason Gonzalez are set to do battle. Miller (29-13, 1 NC) is currently 18-12, 1 NC all time in the UFC but has fallen on hard times as of late with losses in five of his last six bouts. Gonzalez (11-4) is just 1-2 in the UFC and was completed in his losses. Miller is going to be the favored here based on name worth but I do not know whether you can trust him at this stage.
Dhiego Lima vs. Court McGee, UFC on ESPN 3
There’s also a welterweight bout between Dhiego Lima and Court McGee. Lima (13-7) is just 2-6 in the UFC but is coming from a brutal KO win over Chad Laprise in UFC 231. McGee (19-7) is 8-6 at the UFC and defeated Alex Garcia via conclusion in his last struggle. I could see this one going either way, possibly Lima tests McGee’s fading chin or McGee takes down him and smothers him. Start looking for a close betting line here, with perhaps a small lean to McGee.
Jessica Penne vs. Jodie Esquibel, UFC on ESPN 3
And lastly, women’s strawweights Jessica Penne and Jodie Esquibel have been re-booked for this event as their bout at UFC on ESPN 1 recently fell through after Penne hurt her ankle in warmups. Clearly, it was not a super-serious injury as she will be battling just over a month afterwards. Penne was a small favorite before the fight was pulled just hours before it was scheduled to happen, and I’d presume the new line is going to be set right where it left off.
Disclaimer: This page includes affiliate links and MMA Odds Breaker is going to be paid if you make a purchase after clicking on the links.
Read more: sites for betting uk