(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 242’s winning fighters?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the losing fighters 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 242’s most notable fighters.
Those fighters included Dustin Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC), who fell short of the lightweight title with a third-round submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) in the headliner at The Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, as well as Edson Barboza (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC) and Andrea Lee (11-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC).
Andrea Lee
Should fight: Antonina Shevchenko
Why they should fight: Lee had her winning streak and undefeated UFC run come to an end in a split decision loss to Joanne Calderwood. Prior to the fight “KGB” was talking title shot, but now she’s forced to go back to the drawing board and regroup and she attempts to start a new run.
With this loss Lee leaves herself in position to be inserted in almost any type of fight when it comes to rankings, and Shevchenko (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who is the sister of the women’s flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko, would be a solid fit considering both greatly enjoy striking.
Edson Barboza
Should fight: Charles Oliveira
Why they should fight: Although many had the fight scored in his favor, Barboza came out on the wrong end of split decision in his rematch with Paul Felder, and now the longtime lightweight contender is at an unprecedented place in his career, having lost four of his past five fights.
All of Barboza’s losses in this stretch have come to elite-level competition, but he path back to title contention is going to be a long one in the deep 155-pound class. Fortunately, there are still plenty of interesting fights left for Barboza.
One that stands out as particularly compelling would be a matchup with fellow Brazilian Oliveira (27-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC). Many of Barboza’s recent fights have come against opponents keen to strike with him, but Oliveira has the most submission wins in UFC history and would surely be looking to take the fight to the mat. It would be interesting to see how the two sides would approach each other in what would sure to be a compelling affair.
Dustin Poirier
Should fight: Winner of Al Iaquinta vs. Dan Hooker at UFC 243
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Poirier should fight the winner of Iaquinta (14-5-1 MMA, 9-4 UFC) vs. Hooker (18-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) next upon his return to the octagon.
