(Also see: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Edson Barboza following UFC on ESPN 2 loss?)
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 on ESPN 2’s key winning fighters.
That includes Justin Gaethje (20-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who defeated Edson Barboza (20-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) by first-round knockout in the main event at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, as well as Jack Hermansson (19-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Josh Emmett (14-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Michelle Waterson (17-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC) and Sodiq Yusuff (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC).
Sodiq Yusuff
Should fight: Kron Gracie
Why they should fight: Although it wasn’t the definitive finish he got his UFC debut, Yusuff showed some different layers to his game in a unanimous decision victory (https://mmajunkie.com/2019/03/ufc-philadelphia-strong-finish-nets-sheymon-moraes-unanimous-call-over-sodiq-yusuff) over Sheymon Moraes.
Moraes was largely willing to stand and trade with Yusuff over the 15-minute affair, but as the Nigerian striker gets deeper into his UFC career he’s going to be tested by opponents who mostly or exclusively want to put him on the ground.
He called out one of those fighters in Gracie (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who is as good as it gets on the ground. The Gracie lineage in MMA is no secret, and after becoming the first member of his family to win in the UFC since 1994 in his octagon debut in February, Yusuff would certainly be a compelling stylistic matchup.
Michelle Waterson
Should fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Why they should fight: Waterson netted the biggest win of her career so far and pushed her winning streak to three fights when she out hustled Karolina Kowalkiewicz to a unanimous decision.
After her victory in the key strawweight bout, “The Karate Hottie” called for a title shot against the winner of Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade, who fight in May’s UFC 237 headliner. It could very well happen, but a strong argument can be made that the winner of the UFC 238 fight between contenders Tatiana Suarez and Nina Ansaroff is more deserving.
If the winner of that fight gets the next title shot as they should, Waterson should look at another matchup against ex-champ Jedrzejczyk (), who will likely be returning to 115 pounds after a failed title bid at flyweight. Beating a second top-tier Polish fighter should unquestionably lock Waterson into a position to fight for the gold.
Josh Emmett
Should fight: Yair Rodriguez
Why they should fight: After 13 months away from the octagon, Emmett sent a reminder that he’s still a top featherweight when he crushed Michael Johnson with a one-punch knockout in the third round of their fight.
Emmett suffered multiple facial fractures in a February 2018 loss to Jeremy Stephens and the side effects included a battle with vertigo and a long healing process. He finally got back in the octagon, though, and after a respectful two rounds with Johnson, he found the home for the finishing blow courtesy of a single punch.
With notable wins at 145 pounds over Johnson and Ricardo Lamas, it’s clear Emmett is a player in the weight class. He deserves another notable name, and Rodriguez () fits the bill. “Pantera” is dealing with some injuries of his own after scoring the 2018 “Knockout of the Year” against Chan Sung Jung in November, but is apparently targeting a return in the coming months.
Emmett mentioned post-fight that he would like to be part of July’s UFC 239 card at “International Fight Week” because he’s never fought in Las Vegas before. A matchup with Rodriguez has the potential for fireworks, so it would be fitting to take place on Independence Day weekend.
Jack Hermansson
Should fight: Brad Tavares
Why they should fight: Sweden’s Hermansson came through in the biggest moment of his career when he absolutely stunned former two division WSOF champion David Branch with a submission less than one minute into the opening round of their middleweight bout.
Hermansson is riding a three-fight winning streak and appears to really be finding his groove inside the octagon. He’s big and strong for the weight class, and his mix of striking and wrestling is going to pose problems to many in the division.
After the win, Hermansson called his shot and asked for a fight with former UFC champ Chris Weidman in his native Stockholm on June 1. That’s an eight-week turnaround, though, and for Weidman, who is coming off a neck surgery, that timeline might not work. Because of that, Hermansson should look elsewhere for his next foe.
When looking at the top of the weight class, there are not many opponents available who would be considered realistic for “The Joker.” One man who is, though, is Tavares (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC). The Hawaiian hasn’t lost since a July defeat to Israel Adesanya, but perhaps he would be ready to go and take on the challenge of fighting Hermansson on his home soil.
Justin Gaethje
Should fight: Winner of Al Iaquinta vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC on ESPN+ 8
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Gaethje should fight the winner of the UFC on ESPN+ 9 main event between Iaquinta (14-4-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and Cerrone (35-11 MMA, 22-8 UFC).
For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN 2, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
