UFC 235 ADDS JOHNNY WALKER VS. MISHA CIRKUNOV

Posted July 10, 2019

There are a couple intriguing new bouts that were revealed for upcoming battle cards, and below are my initial reactions to these bouts in today’s MMA odds and ends.
Johnny Walker vs. Misha Cirkunov, UFC 235
An accident to Ovince Saint-Preux has knocked him out of the UFC 235 matchup from Misha Cirkunov, also filling in on short notice will be Johnny Walker. UFC 235 occur March 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMAFighting.com broke the news of the replacement matchup. Walker (16-3) seems like he is the next huge thing at 205lbs. The Brazilian is about an eight-fight win series and is 2-0 at the UFC with back-to-back KOs over Justin Ledet and Khalil Rountree. He’s a superstar in the making and this battle will give him the opportunity to beat a ranked fighter and jump into the branch’s top-10. Cirkunov (14-4) is 5-1 in the UFC with all of his wins coming from stoppage, but he has been knocked out twice. Cirkunov was arguably the best prospect at the light heavyweight division at the same stage, but Walker is now, and I would have to believe Walker will be a large favorite to win this battle.
Alejandro Perez vs. Cody Stamann, UFC 235
Because of an injury to Song Yadong, Alejandro Perez will take on Cody Stamann at UFC 235. Perez (21-6-1) is 7-1-1 in the UFC and beat Eddie Wineland in his last struggle. Stamann (17-2) is currently 3-1 at the UFC and is coming off of a submission reduction to Aljamain Sterling. Perez has an awesome album but stylistically Stamann poses matchup problems for him. I believe Perez is going to be the favorite due to his win series, but Stamann is quite live here.
Luis Pena vs. Steven Peterson, UFC Fight Night 148
Featherweights Luis Pena and Steven Peterson will meet UFC Fight Night 148, taking place March 23 in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Rodney James broke the news. Pena (5-1) is 1-1 at the UFC and also lost a split decision to Michael Trizano his last time out. Peterson (17-7) is currently 1-1 at the UFC as well and is coming from a split decision win over Matt Bessete. Close fight here between two men who must find some more consistency, but depending on his popularity Pena will surely be the betting favorite in this one despite creating his 145lbs introduction.
David Branch vs. Jack Hermansson, UFC on ESPN two Middleweights David Branch and Jack Hermansson are set to lock horns at UFC on ESPN two, taking place March 30 in Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Branch (22-5) is 2-2 in his latest stint in the UFC but is coming from a surprising KO loss to Jared Cannonier. Hermansson (18-4) is 5-2 in the Octagon and is coming from back-to-back stoppage wins over Thales Leites and Gerald Meerschaert. Branch was on a fantastic win streak for some time but the two knockout losses he’s in the UFC concerns me. I’d have to prefer Hermansson in this one just according to his momentum as well as the fact he is the younger and bigger fighter in this matchup.
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