(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Kamaru Usman and UFC 251’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 251’s most notable fighters.
Those fighters include Jorge Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) who fell short of the welterweight title in a unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) in the main event at Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, as well as former champs Max Holloway (21-6 MMA, 17-6 UFC), Jose Aldo (28-7 MMA, 10-6 UFC) and Jessica Andrade (20-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC), and, lastly, Paige VanZant (8-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC).
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Paige VanZant
Should fight: No one in the UFC
Why:The writing has been on the wall for some time regarding VanZant’s UFC departure and it now seems imminent after finishing her contract on a quick submission loss to Amanda Ribas.
If VanZant had put on a performance that that was more competitive, perhaps the UFC would give her the money she clearly wants. It didn’t happen, though, and the long-lasting rumor has been that she’ll join her husband Austin Vanderford on the Bellator roster. Given that promotion’s ability to be more flexible with matchmaking, that seems like a better fit for VanZant at this point, anyway.
Jessica Andrade
Should fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Why they should fight: Andrade gave Rose Namajunas hell in their rematch, but this time she could not get the win and came out on the wrong end of a split decision in the “Fight of the Night.”
Many believed Andrade’s title-winning knockout of Namajunas in May 2019 to be a fluke. It’s impossible to say whether that’s true, but Andrade proved she’s right there on Namajunas’ level and came very close to getting her hand raised.
Andrade is still a top contender in the strawweight division and is deserving of a big fight. The time is right for another rematch, but this time against fellow former champ Jedrzejczyk, who beat Andrade by decision at UFC 211 in May 2017. Both are coming off high profile losses and want to get back to the title. The time is right to see who makes that climb.
Jose Aldo
Should fight: Dominick Cruz
Why they should fight: For moments in his fight with Petr Yan it appeared Aldo had a real shot at getting the win and becoming the eighth fighter in UFC history to win belts in two divisions. It was all for naught, though, as he faded late and succumbed to a fifth-round TKO in the bantamweight title bout.
One of the narratives coming into the fight was that this would be Aldo’s last title opportunity. The former featherweight champ got the shot without any official career wins at 135 pounds and on a two-fight skid. He proved he belonged there on fight night, but he still didn’t get the win.
Aldo said post-fight that he intends on coming back stronger, and if he’s determined to work his way up, there’s still many compelling fights out there for him. The clear one to make at this time, however, is against fellow former UFC/WEC champ Cruz (22-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC). The pair have been in the same organization one way or another for more than a decade, but spent most of that time in different weight classes. They share the same one now, and are both coming off losses to the belt. They both want to recapture their former glory, and pitting them against each other would be a surefire way to send one man in the right direction.
Max Holloway
Should fight: Winner of Calvin Kattar vs. Dan Ige at UFC on ESPN 13
Why they should fight: Holloway came up short in his quest to regain the UFC featherweight title in a razor thin split decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski.
Although many believe Holloway should’ve got the nod, there were some very tight rounds and Holloway allowed his fate to be decided by those spectating from cageside.
It’s a heartbreaking moment for “Blessed,” and one that puts him in a challenging spot going forward. He’s going to be in purgatory so long as Volkanovski is champion, and unless he wants to start fresh at lightweight, he’s going to have to take on dangerous contenders and hope the situation arises where Volkanovski loses the belt or a third fight proves logical.
Featherweight is Holloway’s best division, and a matchup against the winner of Wednesday’s main event between Kattar (21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) and Ige (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) would be the first step in getting back to a title shot.
Jorge Masvidal
Should fight: Colby Covington
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Masvidal should fight Covington (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) next after his title-fight loss.
