Joanna Jedrzejczyk
UFC 185 was arguably the most stacked event so far this year. After two new champions were crowned, it’s fair to say the event lived up to expectations.
In the most significant moments of their careers, Rafael dos Anjos (24-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and Joanna Jedrzejczyk (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) scored upset victories over Anthony Pettis (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) and Carla Esparza (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) to capture titles in the lightweight and women’s strawweight divisions, respectively.
Both title bouts were one0sided, which continued a trend that began at the start of the main card. Henry Cejudo (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Alistair Overeem (39-14 MMA, 4-3 UFC) and Johny Hendricks (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) were victorious in dominant fashion, as well, in what were key bouts for their divisions.
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 Joe Silva and Sean Shelby’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker.
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Henry Cejudo
Jussier Formiga
Should fight: Jussier Formiga
Why they should fight: After doubts about his ability to make flyweight, Cejudo successfully hit the 125-pound mark at weigh-ins and proceeded to overwhelm former title challenger Chris Cariaso en route to a unanimous-decision victory.
Cejudo displayed skill in all areas and made it look rather easy against a respectable opponent. If he can keep his weight under control and make flyweight on a consistent basis, Cejudo is a legit threat to champion Demetrious Johnson.
The 2008 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling should not be rushed into a title bout, but if he continues to win in one-sided fashion, it won’t be long before he finds himself in one.
Cejudo called for a top-five contender in his post-fight interview, and it’s likely he’ll get his wish. The only flyweight of that caliber not booked for a fight or coming off a loss is Formiga (17-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC).
The Brazilian was at one time ranked as the top flyweight in the world. His UFC career has encountered some turbulence, but the grappling ace is still capable of topping anyone on the right night. His experience would make a compelling challenge for Cejudo, especially if action hit the floor.
Cejudo looked nothing short of phenomenal in his victory over Cariaso. It appears it’s a matter of when, not if, he’ll challenge for the title. Formiga is the type of opponent who will further groom him for that opportunity.
Alistair Overeem
Junior Dos Santos
Should fight: Junior dos Santos
Why they should fight: With consecutive victories under his belt for the first time in the UFC, Overeem can finally jump back in the fray of heavyweight contenders vying for a shot at champ Cain Velasquez’s belt.
At this point, Overeem’s next fight should be a no-brainer. Anything other than the long-overdue showdown with former heavyweight titleholder Dos Santos (17-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) would be a disservice to both.
The UFC has attempted to book this fight twice before, once at UFC 146 when “Cigano” held the belt, and again at UFC 160. UFC President Dana White and Overeem both expressed interest in the matchup post-fight. Hopefully that means the third time will be the charm.
Both men have made it known they have the goal of becoming UFC heavyweight champion. If they want to get there, they must get through each other.
Johny Hendricks
Robbie Lawler
Should fight: Winner of Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald at UFC 189
Why they should fight: Hendricks claimed to have a newfound work ethic after he dropped his title to Robbie Lawler in December. His one-sided victory over Matt Brown proved he was speaking the truth.
The former 170-pound champion outworked a dangerous Brown for a unanimous-decision victory in the type of performance that made it hard to argue he’s not the No. 1 contender. Hendricks was in line to face Lawler in a trilogy bout in July, but he opted instead to fight Brown so he could stay busy and get a win. That decision paid off; “Bigg Rigg” was relentless for three rounds and got the nod from the judges (watch the Hendricks vs. Brown video highlights).
Hendricks arguably didn’t deserve to lose the title to Lawler when they last met. His performance against Brown proved he’s still championship caliber, and there’s no more deserving contender to challenge the winner of Lawler (25-10 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and MacDonald (18-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) when they meet at UFC 189 in July.
Hendricks was critical of his performance, but in his his dream scenario, Lawler will keep the belt so they can settle the score at UFC 192 in Houston in October.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Claudia Gadelha
Should fight: Winner of Claudia Gadelha vs. Aisling Daly at UFC Fight Night 64
Why they should fight: No one has provided a clear answer as to who will be first to challenge new 115-pound champion Jedrzejczyk after her beatdown of Esparza to capture the belt (watch the Jedrzejczyk vs. Esparza video highlights).
The women’s strawweight division is ripe with talent, but the relative infancy of the weight class means there hasn’t been enough time for a clear No. 1 contender to emerge. With several fights in the division scheduled for the coming months, the title picture is likely to change often.
Based off the current schedule, though, it’d seem the winner of next month’s UFC Fight Night 64 bout between Gadelha (12-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Daly (15-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) could be the top contender.
Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha have history. They fought once before under the UFC banner. The fight was very competitive and ultimately deemed a split-decision win for Jedrzejczyk. A rematch – with five rounds –would allow more time to determine the superior athlete.
Daly would also be a captivating story in a No. 1 contender position. With the rise of Irish MMA in the recent years, Daly could earn the opportunity to join teammate Conor McGregor –who fights for the featherweight belt this summer– as Irish-born UFC champions by the end of the year.
Regardless of whether it’s Gadelha, Daly or another fighter who separates herself from the pack, there’s no shortage of opponents eager to vie for Jedrzejczyk’s belt.
Rafael dos Anjos
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Should fight: Winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC 187
Why they should fight: For the fist time in a while, the UFC lightweight division has a clear pecking order courtesy of a dominant title-winning effort by dos Anjos against Pettis (watch the dos Anjos vs. Pettis video highlights).
Dos Anjos will spend the next few months recovering from a knee injury while Nurmagomedov (22-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and Cerrone (27-6 MMA, 14-3 UFC) face off at UFC 187 on May 23 to decide the Brazilian’s first title challenger.
It’s a unique triangle atop of the lightweight division. Dos Anjos already holds a dominant victory over Cerrone, but Nurmagomedov also handily defeated him.
Either fight would mark a rematch for the champion, but with Nurmagomedov being the only man to defeat dos Anjos in the past three years, there’s little doubt the new champ wants revenge.
For more on UFC 185, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
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