(Also see: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Derrick Lewis following UFC on ESPN+ 4 loss?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.
And 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 on ESPN+ 4’s most noteworthy winning fighters.
Those winners include Junior Dos Santos (21-5 MMA, 15-4 UFC), who beat Derrick Lewis (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) by TKO in the main event at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan., as well as Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (21-5 MMA, 7-1 UFC), Niko Price (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Blagoy Ivanov (17-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Anthony Rocco Martin (16-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC).
Blagoy Ivanov
Should fight: Loser of Curtis Blaydes vs. Justin Willis at UFC on ESPN+ 6
Why they should fight: Although it came with the help of the judges in a highly competitive heavyweight fight, former WSOF champ Ivanov got his first UFC victory when he edged Ben Rothwell by unanimous decision.
All three rounds of fighting were closely contested, but the judges valued Ivanov’s work more and as a result the Bulgarian athlete got the win to improve to 6-1 in his past seven bouts.
Ivanov can now claim a spot as a player in the heavyweight division, and as one of the fresher faces on the roster, there’s no shortage of potential opponents for him to share the octagon with next. The loser of the UFC on ESPN+ 6 pairing between Blaydes (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) and Willis (8-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) would be a fitting foe.
Niko Price
Should fight: Anthony Rocco Martin
Why they should fight: Price scored another highlight reel finish for his resume when he flatted Tim Means for a first-round knockout. Martin, meanwhile, picked up a unanimous decision win over Sergio Moraes just a few fights earlier.
With the two men competing just hours apart, their timelines would work out for a future pairing. Price has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most violent fighters in the welterweight division, while Martin has put on a string of solid performances to move to 4-0 since jumping up to the 170-pound weight class.
The victories for each men were probably the most significant of their respective UFC tenures so far. Now it’s time to find out how their skill sets would match up with each other.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Should fight: Neil Magny
Why they should fight: The rise of welterweight contender Zaleski dos Santos continued when he scored an impressive first-round finish of Curtis Millender to extend his winning streak to seven consecutive fights.
The Brazilian made quick work of Millender in the most high-profile spot of his career, and with the performance has seemingly set himself up for a noteworthy fight at 170 pounds.
It’s taken a while for Zaleski dos Santos to get some traction in a loaded division, but it seems his time has finally come. He said he wants a big name in the division, and Magny (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) has been around the block longer than most.
Although Magny is coming off a knockout loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Fight Night 140 in November, he is still a highly respected fighter in the weight class and would serve as the type of step up that Zaleski dos Santos is looking for.
Junior Dos Santos
Should fight: Francis Ngannou
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Dos Santos should fight Ngannou (13-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) next after his TKO victory over Lewis.
For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 4, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
