Match Maker Monday Following UFC on ESPN+ 16
UFC on ESPN+ 16 is over from Vancouver, British Columbia and now the promotion moves onto Mexico City. Before we looked ahead to this weekend’s fights, let’s talk about some of this past weekend’s winners and what’s next for them on this Match Maker Monday.
Justin Gaethje, lightweight
Result: defeated Donald Cerrone, via first-round TKO
Next: Winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson
Gaethje is definitely deserving of a title fight. However, he won’t get the next one, because that belongs to Ferguson. Gaethje, has won three in a row, all by first-round knockout. Gaethje has appeared to learn to be patient and set up his powerful shots. That being said, he’s been the most dangerous he’s ever been. If he wants to sit out and wait to get a title fight I wouldn’t blame him. If Gaethje decides to step inside the octagon again before fighting for the belt it would have to be a big time fight. For example, Conor McGregor. After all, the two were close to fighting this past summer. McGregor claims he wants to fight soon, but nobody knows if he actually will. If he does, a lot of people would love to see those two power strikers duke it out.
Donald Cerrone, lightweight
Result: lost to Gaethje, via first-round TKO
Next: Paul Felder
In last week’s Match Maker Monday, I said why I think Felder is next for the loser of this past weekend’s main event. Cerrone will likely fall out of the top five if Al Iaquinta wins his next fight in October. If that happens Felder would be ranked right behind him. Ultimately, the fight would be important to both fighters as whoever wins would get a top five opponent in their next fight and they would be able to put themselves into a position to make a run towards the top. Cerrone said he’s not giving up on his dreams to win UFC gold. Unfortunately, Cerrone will have to start all over, but a win over Felder will at least be a step in the right direction.
Glover Teixeira, light heavyweight
Result: defeated Nikita Krylov via spilt decision
Next: Volkan Oezdemir
Teixeira vs. Oezdemir seems to make a lot of sense. First off they’re right behind each other in the rankings. Not to mention they’re both coming off wins and they’re both former championship contenders. Teixeira is starting to win again as last Saturday’s win marks three in a row for him. Meanwhile, Oezdemir is trying to get back into his winning ways as prior to his last win, he lost multiple fights in a row. Whoever wins would have momentum and would have a chance of getting an opponent ranked in the top five of the division.
Uriah Hall, middleweight
Result: defeated Antonio Carlos Junior via spilt decision
Next: Derek Brunson
Rematches are fun for the fans. They’re both on two fight winning streaks. So it seems like the right fight to make. Plus, two guys ranked in front of them (Chris Weidman and Ronaldo Jacare Souza) are now taking fights at light heavyweight. With that being said, let’s book the rematch and see who can not only extend their winning streak to three in a row, but who deserves a big fight next.
