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Light Heavyweight: Volkan Oezdemir vs Anthony Smith
Featherweight: Michael Johnson vs Artem Lobov
Light Heavyweight: Misha Cirkunov vs Patrick Cummins
Bantamweight: Andre Soukhamthath vs Jonathan Martinez
Light Heavyweight: Gian Villantev vs Ed Herman
Welterweight: Alex Garcia vs Court McGee
So, is everyone recovered from UFC 229 and it's dramatic aftermath? Good. The UFC will hope so too as attention turns to the latest edition of free television's Fight Night.
Fight Night 138 is an interesting card too. With a total of six main card bouts, there is lots to break down. The event is scheduled to be headlined by an extremely intriguing main event match between big time strikers, Volkan Oezdemir and Anthony Smith. Renowned for their double quick Knockouts, those two big men will certainly not be paid by the hour in that bout.
Co-headlining the show is a Featherweight encounter between Michael Johnson and Artem Lobov. Johnson is a late replacement for Zubaira Tukhugov who was removed from the fight due to his role in the now infamous post-UFC 229 melee.
In fact, if UFC President, Dana White is to be believed, Tukhugov will never fight for the UFC again.
Therefore Michael Johnson now has an excellent opportunity against fellow fading veteran, Lobov to try and move his career forward once more as he reaches the twilight of his fighting years.
Beneath those two featured bouts, there are another four main card fights to enjoy. Potential highlights could well be the first main card contest between super tough Welterweight stars Alex Garcia and Court McGee as well as another pair of veterans in the Light-Heavyweight division, Gian Villantev and Ed Herman.
Who will be the big winners at the 138th edition of UFC Fight Night? SK offers up it's predictions in the following slideshow.
Welterweight: Alex Garcia vs Court McGee
A fascinating encounter between two fighters who have seen better days but are also capable of still delivering top class moments.
Both men are extremely powerful and are in fine condition and enjoy striking and working on the mat following take-downs.
Very evenly matched and difficult to call, this opening bout between Alex Garcia and Court McGee could legitimately go either way.
McGee has lost three out of his last four fights while the younger, Garcia has only fared marginally better in recent bouts.
No doubt these pair are not at the peak of their powers but expect them to still put on an excellent show.
It will be fascinating to see how this encounter will play out as Garcia is undoubtedly the quicker but McGee has the greater reach.
They are so closely matched in every other way, that it almost a coin toss to predict a winner.
However, Garcia's game plan should be to wear his larger opponent down with his quickness before trying to land a take-down. McGee should try for an early Knockout. If he does not secure it, then the likelihood increases that it will be Garcia's fight.
Prediction: Alex Garcia via Knockout
Light Heavyweight: Gian Villantev vs Ed Herman
This Light Heavyweight encounter could well be a show stealer.
Both Gian Villantev and Ed Herman are coming into this fight on the back of decision losses and will will be looking to get back onto the winning trail.
These two veterans have both been part of the UFC for a long time and for the loser, there might not be many more career fights left.
Therefore this match could well be viewed in the context of winner take all. Which is why both fighters will go for broke.
Both fighters are easy on the eye for the audience who will expect big things.
As for who will win. Herman hasn't fought for well over a year and has taken so much punishment in his long career, it is uncertain how much he has left in the tank.
Villante's excellent striking skills could well prove too great for Herman to overcome.
Prediction: Gian Villantev via Knockout
Bantamweight: Andre Soukhamthath vs Jonathan Martinez
Another fight on the UFC Fight Night 138 card that has had to be changed. Gavin Tucker was originally scheduled to clash with Andre Soukhamthath but pulled out of the fight due to injury.
His replacement is debutant, Jonathan Martinez.
Martinez has only lost once in his career and that was via disqualification and is a serious contender and will be looking to race up the rankings into Bantamweight Championship contendership as soon as he realistically can.
Soukhamthath has been part of the UFC for 18 months now and it hasn't been a successful run for him, having lost three out of his four bouts for the promotion.
Competing against an opponent who is essentially unbeaten will be a tough ask for Soukhamthath. He will be well aware that defeat may put his UFC future in severe jeopardy.
In Soukhamthath's favour is that he has fought against tougher competition in his career and has the experience advantage but Martinez should prove too strong.
This fight will likely be contested standing up and Martinez will win via Knockout to go 1-0 as a UFC fighter.
Prediction: Jonathan Martinez via Knockout
Light Heavyweight: Misha Cirkunov vs Patrick Cummins
American, Patrick Cummins has been fighting for UFC for the past four years to middling success. Having began his MMA career at the late age of 29, the now 37-year-old, despite relative consistency has never been close to a title opportunity in the competitive Light-Heavyweight division.
The 31 year old Russian, Misha Cirkunov, in contrast, was supposed to be a top contender in the Light-Heavyweight ranks but despite winning his first four UFC fights came unstuck when clashing with genuine title hopefuls, Volkan Oezdemir and Glover Teixeira.
However, despite those losses, the fact remains that Cirkunov is a talented striker, way beyond Cummins's league. Cummins's typical game plan is to wear his opponent down before securing a take down; however, that is a risky strategy versus such an accomplished puncher.
Therefore, the favorite has to be Cirkunov. It really is his fight to lose.
Prediction: Misha Cirkunov via Knockout
Featherweight: Michael Johnson vs Artem Lobov
UFC careers are likely on the line in the hastily rearranged co-headliner of Fight Night 138.
Artem Lobov is a very high profile fighter albeit one who has flattered to deceive inside the Octagon.
Part of the UFC since 2015, Lobov has won three and lost three of his UFC fights. In his MMA career overall, he has lost more than he has won. That doesn't happen to genuine contenders and another loss for Lobov would likely be the beginning of the end if not the end of his UFC career.
Michael Johnson is another fighter who has not lived up to expectations. He started his UFC career impressively enough and holds huge wins over UFC superstars such as Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier. He was also victorious last time out versus Andre Filli; although that bout was won via a controversial split decision.
However, he has only won two of his last seven fights and has not looked particularly impressive inside the Octagon for some time.
Lobov, despite his own struggles will be a tough encounter for him.
However, lacking the time to prepare for Johnson will hurt Lobov and Johnson should edge this one, although it will be very close.
Prediction: Michael Johnson via Decision
Light Heavyweight: Volkan Oezdemir vs Anthony Smith
The main event of Fight Night 138 features two rising stars of the Light-Heavyweight division in a match-up which undoubtedly has title implications.
Although it has not yet been confirmed, the likelihood is that defending Champion, Daniel Cormier will be stripped of the belt as he focuses on the Heavyweight Championship which could well make the upcoming bout at UFC 232 between the returning Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson a title match.
The winner of this fight, could face the winner of that one.
Anthony “Lionheart” Smith takes on Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir in a fight that will surely be over very early. Both men are famed for earning quick Knockouts and it is entirely unpredictable which one of the two will earn that big win.
Oezdemir lost his recent title match at UFC 220 while Smith has achieved two huge victories over former Champions, Rashad Evans and Mauricio Rua.
However, Oezdemir will be a tougher fight than those two fading legends.
It’s a fight that could make Smith or propel Oezdemir back into title contention.
Smith should win, providing he can avoid an early Oezdemir barrage. Should he do that, then expect him to achieve a Knockout either late in the first round or early in the second.
Prediction: Anthony Smith via Knockout
