Nassourdine Imavov, UFC 289 ceremonial weigh-in Credit score: Jay Anderson/Cageside Press
The UFC returned to Riyadh for his or her second ever card in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Final time in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker was in a position to flip again the clock and fend off a younger and hungry rising contender in Ikram Aliskerov. This time, it was Israel Adesanya who had an identical job on his fingers, although he wasn’t in a position to overcome his opponent. Let’s check out what must be subsequent for the winners on a UFC Saudi Arabia card that had a pair standout performances.
Nassourdine Imavov
Imavov earned by far the most important win of his profession, stopping the previous champion Adesanya early into spherical two. The Frenchman got here into the UFC at a younger age, however now 28 and having gained 4 consecutive fights in opposition to prime 10 opposition, he appears to lastly be coming into his personal. A win of this magnitude would assure a title shot nearly each time, however the panorama at 185 will in all probability power Imavov to earn one other win earlier than combating for the belt.
We are able to just about assume that Khamzat Chimaev will draw the winner of the Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland rematch taking place this upcoming weekend. If Chimaev can battle within the U.S., then that battle may happen through the summer season. If not, then he’ll almost definitely have to attend till October once more when the UFC goes again to Abu Dhabi. Both manner, with Chimaev calling dibs on the following middleweight title shot, Imavov gained’t be capable of merely sit this one out till he’s subsequent. Perhaps his subsequent battle will be on the identical card as Chimaev’s title shot and he can function an unofficial backup in case somebody pulls out.
Robert Whittaker and Anthony Hernandez, ought to he beat Brendan Allen later this month, are nice choices, however the very best #1 contender matchup accessible for Imavov is Caio Borralho. The Brazilian is undefeated within the UFC, having gained all six of his fights and has not misplaced since his second ever skilled battle again in 2015. He’s additionally the poster boy for Preventing Nerds, a health club with numerous momentum behind them. It’s the correct matchup.
Imavov’s subsequent battle: Caio Borralho
Michael Web page
The person they name MVP went up in weight for enjoyable one-off battle in opposition to undefeated prospect Shara “Bullet” Magomedov. Undefeated no extra is Magomedov after he grew to become sufferer quantity 23 on Web page’s report. This was a very good exhibiting by MVP who wanted to bounce again after dropping to Ian Machado Garry again in June. He’ll flip 38 in April, so if he’s going to muster any type of title run, it wanted to start out on Saturday.
On the post-fight convention, Dana White expressed curiosity in perhaps reserving Web page in opposition to Leon Edwards in England sooner or later. However in the intervening time, Edwards is booked in late March in opposition to Jack Della Maddalena, so that concept should wait. Within the meantime, MVP must be calling for Colby Covington. Regardless of his final couple poor showings, Covington remains to be a giant title ranked contained in the top10. A win over him would permit Web page to crack the top10 after which perhaps arrange that Leon Edwards battle that might springboard him to the title.
Time is of the essence for MVP so he wants to focus on fights that may garner numerous consideration if he’s going to quick observe himself to the belt. And Colby Covington can present that.
Web page’s subsequent battle: Colby Covington
Sergei Pavlovich
It wasn’t too way back that Pavlovich was seen as the following massive factor at heavyweight with six consecutive first-round KO wins over names like Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes. Nonetheless, after dropping his final two fights, the Russian badly wanted a win in opposition to perennial ranked contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik. It wasn’t essentially the most spectacular efficiency nor essentially the most thrilling battle, however Pavlovich in the end obtained the job finished.
Getting his hand raised was the precedence and he achieved that, however the nature of the win gained’t do him any favours if he was aiming to get again into the promotion’s good graces. I don’t suppose he’ll get a #1 contender battle after this, nor ought to he.
There’s a battle taking place in London subsequent month between Marcin Tybura and undefeated prospect Mick Parkin. Pavlovich can battle the winner of that bout.
Pavlovich’s subsequent battle: Tybura/Parkin winner
Vinicius Oliveira
Followers have been questioning for years who would win between Nurmagomedov and Oliveira and we lastly obtained our reply! All kidding apart, this was a strong win for Lok Canine who managed to defeat a high-level opponent regardless of a rib harm.
There’s a cluster of rising contenders on win streaks at bantamweight. Names like Aiemann Zahabi, Marcus McGhee, Montel Jackson, Daniel Marcos, Farid Basharat are all on the tail-end of the rankings or exterior of them utterly. With this win, Oliveira put himself in that tier of fighters. You possibly can match them up any which manner and get a very good battle out of it. I in the end went with Marcus McGhee.
Oliveira’s subsequent battle: Marcus McGhee
Fares Ziam
Not in contrast to the bantamweight division, light-weight additionally has a cluster of streaking contenders who’re all worthy of combating ranked opposition. Two of the names in that cluster of fighters have been Fares Ziam and Mike Davis. Solely certainly one of their four-fight win streaks would be capable of get to 5, and it was Ziam’s.
Similar to his fellow Frenchman Imavov, Ziam got here into the UFC at a really younger age and after a few early stumbles, he now seems to be placing all of it collectively simply as he’s about to show 28. Now using the third longest win streak within the division, Ziam’s case for a ranked opponent must be plain. Jalin Turner, who has misplaced two of his final three, ought to must defend his #13 rating if he’s to remain at 155.
Ziam’s subsequent battle: Jalin Turner
