(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 250’s losing fighters?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.
With another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC 250’s key winning fighters.
Those fighters included Amanda Nunes (20-4 MMA, 13-1 UFC), who defended her UFC women’s featherweight title against Felicia Spencer (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) by unanimous decision in the pay-per-view headliner at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, as well as Cody Garbrandt (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), Aljamain Sterling (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC), Sean O'Malley (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Alex Perez (24-5 MMA, 6-1 UFC).
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Alex Perez
Should fight: Winner of Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez
Why they should fight: Perez had his breakthrough moment to turn himself into a top contender in the flyweight division when he stunned the highly regarded Jussier Formiga with a first-round finish.
Not only did Perez put Formiga away inside the opening frame, but he did it with the brilliance of leg kicks. It was just the 12th finish in UFC history with the technique, and that’s going to get Perez, who has won 11 of his past 12 fights, some well-deserved attention.
The flyweight division is thin on worthwhile contenders at the moment. Figueiredo (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) vs. Benavidez (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) will rematch for the vacant 125-pound belt on July 18, and there’s an opportunity for someone to step up and make the case to fight the winner. Well, Perez did about as good a job of that as one could.
Sean O’Malley
Should fight: Rob Font
Why they should fight: O’Malley delivered on his promise to score a viral knockout when he rattled former WEC champ Eddie Wineland with a one-shot finish to continue to build on his hype.
The undefeated bantamweight prospect truly appears to be legit, because Wineland is no slouch and he put him away in a devastating manner. That without question deserves another step up in competition, and in the shark-infested waters that are in the bantamweight division, there’s no easy fights as he moves up the rankings.
O’Malley should not be catapulted too high, but Font (17-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is someone who sits just outside the top 10 of the UFC’s rankings and is another dangerous striker who possess more experience than O’Malley. You could poke holes in the matchup with Wineland and say the veteran is a bit past his expiration date, but that doesn’t exist with Font, who is very much in his prime and looking to move up in notoriety himself.
Aljamain Sterling
Should fight: Winner of Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan
Why they should fight: Sterling left no questions that he should be fighting for the UFC gold next after he swiftly submitted Cory Sandhagen in the first round of their anticipated bantamweight title eliminator.
It was one-way traffic for “The Funkmaster” as he grounded Sandhagen early then finished it with a rear-naked choke. He’s now won five consecutive bouts, and is looking more impressive each time he steps into the octagon.
While there’s a good argument Sterling should be fighting for the currently vacant 135-pound belt, the UFC has plans to Aldo (28-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) vs. Yan (14-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to crown its next champion. If that goes forward, there’s no option for Sterling other to sit out and wait for the winner.
Cody Garbrandt
Should fight: Marlon Moraes
Why they should fight: All Garbrandt needed to do was win against Raphael Assuncao and it would’ve alleviated the pressure around his fall since losing the UFC title. Well, he not only won, but he did it with a brilliant buzzer-beater knockout that will live on highlight reels for some time.
Assuncao might be on the back end of his career, but he’s definitely no slouch and a more than credible win for Garbrandt to get back on track. He’s once again a factor in the loaded bantamweight division, and he’s certain to get a big fight against a top contender.
With the way the 135-pound weight class is shaking out, with Aldo vs. Yan in the plans and Sterling having next, the most logical remaining matchup for “No Love” lays against Moraes (23-6-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC).
Not only is that a fascinating matchup on paper with the two styles, but there’s compelling backstory. Garbrandt joined Moraes’ former team under coach Mark Henry for his preparation to fight Assuncao, and there’s no doubt Henry facing his former pupil would be a large part of the pre-fight narrative.
Amanda Nunes
Should fight: Megan Anderson
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Nunes should defend her women’s featherweight title against Anderson (11-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) next.
