Fights To Make After UFC 276
Jessica-Rose Clark should be cut
Clark lost her second straight to Stoliarenko, and despite having success on the feet early, was rather easily taken down and submitted, yet again by armbar. Jessy Jess just isn’t UFC caliber right now, and I think it’d be best if she fought out her career elsewhere.
Julija Stoliarenko vs Ramona Pascual (at featherweight)
I will die on the hill that Stoliarenko should be at featherweight (does anyone remember that scary weigh-in from last year?), and after saving her UFC career at UFC 276, she should take on another low-level fighter who should be at featherweight in Pascual in a winner goes home bout.
Maycee Barber vs Andrea Lee
I don’t necessarily think Barber is ready to climb the ranks of 125, but, since she’s already ranked and just beat (and retired) #10 Jessica Eye, the next logical, winnable fight is #9 Andrea Lee, who is coming off a loss to Viviane Araujo.
Uriah Hall vs Brad Tavares
Somehow, these two have never shared the cage together. Now seems like the perfect time. Hall, despite losing, showed some fight in him that we haven’t seen in a while against Andre Muniz. Tavares on the other hand lost to du Plessis but had a successful first round. While both of these men might not be title contenders, they still have some fun fights left in them, so let’s book this one.
Andre Muniz vs Kelvin Gastelum
Despite not submitting Hall, Muniz was dominant in his biggest victory to date. He’s primed to continue his ascent up the middleweight ranks, and his next stop should be divisional mainstay Kelvin Gastelum, who’s always game to serve as a test for up and comers.
Dricus du Plessis vs Krzysztof Jotko
While it makes little sense to fight out of the rankings after just winning into them, I found that du Plessis’ win over Tavares served as a “he’s good, but let’s take this slow” kind of win. Now, with the shallowness at 185, the UFC could very likely try to expedite Dricus up the rankings, but I think that would be a mistake. I firmly believe du Plessis will become South Africa’s first UFC champion, but first I’d like to see him tested against another divisional mainstay in Jotko, who will go at Dricus with a grappling-heavy attack. If he can pass that test successfully, it’ll be time to unleash him upon the top ten.
Gabe Green vs Lyman Good
I have no clue whether or not Lyman Good will be continuing his MMA career. He hasn’t fought since 2020 and has noted health problems related to Covid-19, but if he decides to return, Green should welcome him back to the Octagon, perhaps in New York in November.
Ian Garry vs Robbie Lawler
Much like Good, I’m assuming Lawler will be continuing his career after his loss at UFC 276. At this stage of his career, Lawler will be in a position to serve as a litmus test for up and comers, and I think a fight with Ireland’s undefeated Garry would be a fun fight to make and a good test for Garry’s skills. Also, a Garry win over Lawler would definitely upset the MMA fanbase, which is always fun.
Jim Miller vs Bobby Green
Miller just won his third straight via second-round stoppage, so let’s try that Green fight again for the fourth time.
Brad Riddell vs Renato Moicano
Riddell needs to go back to the drawing board after dropping his second straight. Moicano would serve as a good test and would potentially be a fight for both men that drastically alters the outlooks of their careers.
Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker
All aboard the Tarantula Train. Turner passed his first big test opposite Riddell, steamrolling him with ridiculous ease. It’s time to fight into the rankings, and a fight with Dan Hooker would be a thrillingly violent matchup for as long as it lasts and is also the kind of fight Hooker is lined up to take.
Sean O’Malley vs Ricky Simon vs Jack Shore loser
O’Malley dropped the first round to Munhoz on the scorecards. Unfortunately, there’s no knowing if he would’ve turned up in the final ten minutes or not as an eye poke rendered Munhoz unable to continue. Let’s not revisit that fight, at least not immediately. The loser of Simon vs Shore in July would be a good fight to make, although they may not line up with a potential quick return for O’Malley.
Pedro Munhoz vs Adrian Yanez
Yanez is due for a ranked opponent, and if Munhoz’s eye can heal rather quickly, this fight would be a barnburner for as long as it lasts.
Bryan Barberena vs Jack Della Maddaelana
Just imagine the violence. Just imagine. It’d serve as a good test for Della while being a delight for the fans.
Sean Strickland vs Derek Brunson
After both snapped win streaks in title eliminators, it’s time to match them up to see who can return to the title queue at 185.
Max Holloway vs Tony Ferguson
I think Max’s days at 145 should be over, and despite this, I don’t really like his chances at 155. I think a good first official dip into the lightweight division would be against Tony Ferguson. Both men are (were?) insanely durable, and Tony could offer a ground game that may trouble Holloway. This fight would be closer than some might think, but if Max could pass that test, he sets himself up with bigger fights at lightweight.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Josh Emmett or Charles Oliveira
This is entirely dependent on what Volk wants to do next. If he wants to continue his featherweight supremacy, Josh Emmett just declared himself next for the title shot after beating Calvin Kattar. Yair Rodriguez would also be a viable option if he beats Brian Ortega, but if Volk wants to remain active, Emmett might line up better. Now, if Volkanovski wants to go to lightweight, a showdown with Charles Oliveira for the vacant strap would be the best fit. I believe Volk when he says he wants to be an active champ at both divisions, and the lack of fresh contenders at 145 may allow him to do that for a while.
Jared Cannonier vs Paulo Costa (after Luke Rockhold)
I purposely didn’t put Costa vs Rockhold winner, because if Rockhold wins, he will get a title shot after Pereira. With that said, regardless of the result, Cannonier and Costa should be next.
Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
This is the one. This fight would be the biggest of Adesanya’s reign thus far, and if he could knock off the man who had his number in kickboxing, his legacy would skyrocket. I suspect we may see Adesanya deploy a grappling gameplan for Pereira, which in itself is an exciting prospect. I can’t wait for this fight, and seems like the perfect, odds on favorite to headline Madison Square Garden in November (granted Jon Jones doesn’t get booked for a heavyweight title shot).