Magomed Ankalaev, UFC 313 ceremonial weigh-in Credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
After some withdrawals within the weeks prior, most notably from Dan Hooker within the co-main occasion, and shedding a number of bouts on combat day, there’s no denying UFC 313 took some hits. Nevertheless, between some controversial choices, slick submissions, and a ‘KO of the Year’ contender, the UFC’s annual Pay-Per-View journey to the combat capital of the world nonetheless ended up delivering chunk of drama. It’s now to do some matchmaking for our new champion and different standout winners from the principle card.
Magomed Ankalaev
It could not have been probably the most thrilling affair, however following UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev is your new light-heavyweight champion. For years he was seen by many as the perfect 205er within the UFC and, although it took him two cracks at it, he can lastly say he fulfilled his potential.
To not take the highlight away from the Russian, however the aftermath of this combat was at all times largely predicated on what Alex Pereira will need to do subsequent. If Poatan needs to remain at 205 lbs, then the rematch books itself. He’s the promotion’s largest energetic star and almost half the media members on mmadecisions.com scored the bout for him. He’s been preventing at a loopy charge, so perhaps he takes greater than a pair months off and rematches Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi in October.
If Pereira opts to make the transfer to heavyweight, then Ankalaev’s most certainly choice might be Jiri Prochazka. I doubt the UFC will rush to e book a Jan Blachowicz rematch ought to he get his hand raised in two weeks, however Carlos Ulberg could be a recent title so as to add to that blend. Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree Jr. needs to be a deal with, however each are coming off knockout losses. Ulberg might steal it with a stellar efficiency, however because it stands, I might suppose Prochazka is the frontrunner.
Ankalaev’s subsequent combat: Pereira rematch or Jiri Prochazka
Justin Gaethje
There was little or no to win for Gaethje by taking this brief discover change of opponent within the UFC 313 co-headliner. He had already overwhelmed Fiziev and the Hooker combat was garnering rather more consideration. Being the unhealthy man that he’s, Gaethje nonetheless signed on the dotted line and acquired the job finished as soon as once more.
You may give you any permutation between everybody ranked 1st to sixth at light-weight and have a practical shot at accurately predicting the longer term. Re-book the Hooker combat? Positive. Title shot? In any case, Gaethje hasn’t confronted Islam Makhachev but and he was alleged to be subsequent in line this time final 12 months earlier than reserving the BMF title combat at UFC 300… Welcoming Ilia Topuria to 155 lbs? Take my cash. What a couple of Dustin Poirier trilogy in New Orleans this summer time? No one would flip that down.
Attempting to determine how this may all play out will get additional tough if you keep in mind Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway are additionally all entitled to large fights subsequent. Personally, I might’ve gone with the Poirier trilogy. That’s the combat I needed even earlier than the Hooker combat was booked. Their first combat was in Gaethje’s yard in Arizona, so finishing that storyline in New Orleans would make for an ideal ship off combat for ‘The Diamond.’
Sadly, Gaethje has voiced his disinterest in desirous to face Poirier a 3rd time, saying that he’s happy with being 1-1. Moreover, Beneil Dariush lately revealed that he’s listening to Poirier is perhaps preventing Max Holloway this summer time. Taking this into consideration, the most certainly manner this ends is with a re-booking of the Hooker combat a while in the summertime, as soon as Hooker’s hand is healed.
Gaethje’s subsequent combat: Dan Hooker
Ignacio Bahamondes
The 27-year-old Bahamondes appears to have turned a nook as he adopted up his first-round KO win on the Sphere with the most important win of his profession over Jalin Turner. The grappling benefit presumably would’ve gone to ‘The Tarantula’, however it was Bahamondes who locked in a lovely triangle choke to power the faucet simply 2:29 into spherical 1.
This win will see Bahamondes enter the rankings and with three consecutive first-round finishes, who’s to say the UFC received’t attempt to push him additional up the ladder? Nevertheless, in my view, this division is simply too stacked to quick monitor anybody in the meanwhile. Fellow 27-year-old Fares Ziam, winner of 5 straight, has additionally earned his shot at a rating. This might function function bout, and even co-main occasion, at a Paris combat evening card in September.
Bahamondes simply defeated one tall, lanky light-weight. Can he do it once more?
Bahamondes’ subsequent combat: Fares Ziam
Amanda Lemos
The veteran Lemos didn’t flip heads along with her efficiency at UFC 313, however she did simply defeat somebody 14 years her junior. This was the basic sort of reserving the place the younger up-and-comer is meant to take out the older era, however this time the veteran held her floor.
Lemos is 37, has misplaced to 2 of the ladies ranked in entrance of her, and has already had her title shot, through which she acquired dominated. There’s no actual incentive for the UFC to push her ahead, particularly not after this boring efficiency. With Zhang Weili nearly definitely shifting as much as combat for the flyweight title, you will need to suppose that the winner of Yan Xiaonan vs Virna Jandiroba can be a part of a vacant title combat. If Yan loses, then she will combat Lemos. If Virna loses, you may’t e book her towards Lemos when she simply submitted her final summer time. Ought to Virna lose and Gillian Robertson defeat Marina Rodriguez in Could, then Lemos and Robertson is smart. If each Virna and Gillian lose, then perhaps Lemos can face Tabatha Ricci as that appears to be one of many few names she hasn’t confronted but. Plenty of manner this might play out relying on upcoming outcomes.
Lemos’ subsequent combat: Yan Xiaonan, Gillian Robertson or Tabatha Ricci
Mauricio Ruffy
These Preventing Nerds merely can’t cease producing spotlight reel finishes. Simply two weeks in the past it was Jean Silva who blasted Melsik Baghdasaryan and now Ruffy simply face planted King Inexperienced in what needs to be a critical contender for ‘KO of the Year’ as soon as we get to December. The person they name ‘One Shot’ simply one-shotted the wily veteran with a beautiful wheel kick barely two minutes into spherical one of their UFC 313 principal card opener.
This was his greatest win but and it strikes him to 3-0 within the promotion. Getting a KO like that may put fighters within the place to name their shot, and Ruffy definitely tried. He known as for a principal occasion combat with Beneil Dariush subsequent. Whereas I don’t hate that choice for him, I might attempt to capitalize on this Preventing Nerds motion and attempt to get Ruffy a good larger title. The following time we’ll see some motion from that fitness center is at UFC 314 and the co-main occasion from that card is Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett. I feel Ruffy ought to face the loser of that bout. Regardless of who it’s, it will likely be a reputation that the informal followers will acknowledge and provides Ruffy and good alternative to spice up his profile.
Ruffy’s subsequent combat: Chandler/Pimblett loser
