The UFC on ESPN saw 44 exciting nights of fights. In the aftermath, fans were left in the same predicament they are after almost every week. Who will fight who next?
Max Holloway vs. Korean Zombie
Max Holloway He cemented his place as one of the top contenders in the featherweight class with his win by overall decision Arnold Allen in the weekend. While any other fight would be within their rights to claim a title title after Holloway’s recent form, winning three of his last four, all of which came against opponents ranked inside the top ten of the division, nonetheless, his performance against the champion Alexander Volkanovsky It would prevent him from getting that fourth fight with the Australian.
Holloway also seems aware of this as he has made no move to call up his old foe for a fourth bout. Instead, he set his eyes on the Korean zombie, Chan Song Young. Holloway has stated that Jung is one of the few fighters who comes from the same era that he hasn’t had the chance to fight yet. “I would share the octagon with him. He’s one of the OGs I haven’t foughtWhile the fight may be a late comer in the eyes of some fans, Jung is a great opponent for Holloway to take on and keep his name linked in the featherweight division. Likewise, if Jung can beat Holloway, he will definitely have to take another title shot and his stock will skyrocket. big.
Edson Barboza vs Leron Murphy
While many in the UFC likely thought so Edson Barboza He would lose Saturday night against rising expectations Billy QuarantelloThey seem to have underestimated the damage a veteran fighter can do. A thunderous knee in the first round saw Barbosa win by knockout in classic style.
Showing he’s not done with the organization just yet, he’s more than a match for up-and-coming heavyweights looking to break into the top 15. The Octagon legend, Saturday night marked his 28th fight in the organization with his debut coming way back in 2010. Unfortunately, It seems like his best years are behind him and now that he’s 37, it’s unlikely we’ll see Barboza work his way back into the title picture or even the Top 5. Nevertheless he remains a fan favorite and an excellent addition to any card. The UFC should focus on providing them with exciting fights that allow them to showcase their skills and do what they do best which is entertain the fans.
fight with Leron Murphy It might be the perfect platform to allow him to do so. Murphy is currently on the cusp of breaking into the top 15 and has achieved an impressive 12-0 pro record. A streak of five unbeaten matches in the UFC has seen him showcase his incredible skills and he is always ready to stand on his feet with his opponents. This suited Barboza perfectly and provided an excellent opportunity for the Brazilian legend to add another fight of the night to his resume, adding to his legacy.
Azmat Merzakanov vs. Ryan Spahn
In what may be one of the most surprising performances of the night, Azamat Merzakanov Heading towards victory over the decision Dustin Jacoby. The light heavyweight used slick boxing to dominate the first two rounds before his gas tank began to falter by the third. While the idea of Murzakanov beating Jacoby wasn’t shocking in and of itself, the way he did it was truly remarkable. Jacoby is a very accomplished striker, among the best in the light heavyweight division and has had many fights as a kickboxer, even fighting in GLORY, one of the most prestigious kickboxing organizations in the world. However, he was completely outplayed by Murzakanov in the first two rounds as he was stunned several times.
Murzakanov has now extended his record to 13-0 and looks like a potential favorite at 205. He will be looking to work his way up the rankings. Ranked 15 going into battle against Jacorbi, breaking through the top 10 should be a priority for the Russian. battle against Ryan Spahn He will do an excellent job of showing how good Murzakanov really is. Spann has been a regular in the Light Heavyweight division for about 5 years or so, and his time in the UFC has seen him rack up eight wins and three losses. At the moment he sits at number 10, and a win over Span by Murzakanov would net two wins over a top 15 opponent and allow him to well enter the standings at the bottom of the top 10. This would provide him with the perfect starting point to challenge more of their names in the division.
Brandon Royval against the winner in Moreno/Pantoja
Brandon Roivale He made a massive statement Saturday night with a first round knockout from the No. 5 ranked flyweight Matthews Nicolau. He is now riding a three win streak with his only losses Brandon Moreno And Alexander Pantoja in the UFC. Royval is definitely on the cusp of the title shot. With Moreno and Pantoja facing off at UFC 290, Royval will have to wait his turn to shoot for the gold. His next fight will likely be against one of the two men opposing for the belt at UFC 290, depending on how that bout is played out. The flyweight division has been plagued with rematches and a lack of competitors lately, and Royval’s arrival as a major contender could inject some much-needed freshness into the 125lb title picture.
Pedro Munhos vs Loser Song Yadong / Ricky Simon
Pedro Munhos I managed to snatch an impressive decision victory against Chris Gutierrez Last Saturday, he was finally back on the winners list for the first time since 2021. He will be looking to improve and build his way back towards the top end in the bantamweight division. That could take a while though, though on Saturday Munhos has only won two of his last seven matches and while he always battles elite competition he will need some time to establish himself in the division.
You can’t jump in the rankings too early. Battle against the loser of the next match between Ricky Simon And Song Yadong It would provide a good testing ground for Munhoz to establish himself as a top 10 Bantamweight and allow him to generate a little momentum before making a push to challenge the big guys in the division.