(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 243’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 243’s key winning fighters.
Those names include Israel Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who defeated Robert Whittaker (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) by second-round knockout in the headliner, which took place at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, as well as Dan Hooker (19-8 MMA, 9-4 UFC), Serghei Spivac (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Megan Anderson (10-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC).
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Megan Anderson
Should fight: Leah Letson
Why they should fight: Anderson got a much-needed win in her career when she gave octagon newcomer Zarah Fairn a rude welcome to the promotion in a one-sided first-round submission victory.
After an exposing loss to Felicia Spencer in her previous outing, Anderson had to do exactly what she did in order to restore some confidence she can help carry a women’s featherweight division moving forward as one of its top contenders.
The 145-pound division is so thin that Anderson has fought pretty much everyone there already outside of the champion Amanda Nunes. She’s yet to encounter Letson (5-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), though, who is coming off an octagon win in the weight class and is therefor a logical foe for Anderson.
Serghei Spivac
Should fight: Winner of Greg Hardy vs. Ben Sosoli at UFC on ESPN 6
Why they should fight: Spivac surprised when largely dominated Tai Tuivasa en route to a second-round submission victory and his first UFC win.
Spivac came into the octagon earlier this year as an undefeated prospect and was blown out of the water by Walt Harris in seconds. He showed much more of what he’s about against Tuivasa, though, and now the narrative has shifted to Spivac potentially being a prospect to watch in the heavyweight division.
It’s a big deal for Spivac’s first UFC win to come against an opponent who is ranked by the promotion, but it’s hard to see him getting one of the division’s higher ranked fighters after that win. He could get a big name, though, and the winner of the upcoming fight on Oct. 18 between Hardy (5-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Sosoli (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), especially if it’s Hardy, would be meaningful for Spivac’s career.
Dan Hooker
Should fight: Paul Felder
Why they should fight: Hooker showed he truly belongs among the upper heap of UFC lightweights when he picked apart the always game Al Iaquinta to win a unanimous decision and improve to 6-1 since moving up to 155 pounds.
After the fight, Hooker made a hard push to get a matchup with former interim champion Dustin Poirier. That callout was promptly rejected, and it’s hard to envision Poirier changing his mind. That’s OK, though, because Hooker’s attention could instead be turned to a foe he has a little history with.
It wasn’t that long ago when Hooker knocked out Jim Miller and called out Felder (17-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC). who was serving as a commentator for the event, while the two were engaging in a post-fight interview. It didn’t materialize then, but now could be the perfect time.
Felder is coming off a huge win of his own against Edson Barboza at UFC 242 this past month. He is also looking for a name like Poirier, but given how the division is shaking out, likely won’t get that chance either. That means Hooker and Felder should fight, with the winner getting position to get the massive fight they desire.
Israel Adesanya
Should fight: Paulo Costa
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Adesanya should fight Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) for his first title defense.
