Matchmaker Monday following UFC 252
Stipe Miocic is now the heavyweight GOAT after defeating Daniel Cormier in their trilogy bout on Saturday at UFC 252. While Miocic turns 38 this week and has considered retirement in the past, he said at his post-fight press conference he will indeed fight again.
As Miocic continues to fight, Cormier will not as he will now head into retirement. Despite losing, Cormier is still a legend of the sport and he goes into retirement has one of the best to ever do it.
Also last Saturday, the Suga Show is now on intermission as Sean O’Malley suffered a horrible injury in loss to Marlon Vera.
With all that being said, let’s find out what’s next for these fighters on this Matchmaker Monday. (Cormier will not be included, due to his retirement.)
Stipe Miocic
Result: defeated Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision at UFC 252
Next: Francis Ngannou
Easy breakdown here. For starters, Dana White came right out and said that Ngannou is next in line for Miocic.
Aside from that, I was always in favor of Jon Jones jumping everyone in the heavyweight division. Jones was calling for the fight after Miocic’s win, but now all of that is out the window after TMZ reported that Jones maybe looking at retiring and is now vacating the light heavyweight title.
So there you have folks. Jones is out and Miocic and Ngannou will meet once again. Miocic defeated Ngannou by unanimous decision back at UFC 220.
Marlon Vera
Result: defeated Sean O’Malley by first-round TKO at UFC 252
Next: Song Yadong
Let’s be clear. Was this a clean cut win for Vera? No. But did he win? Yes. Does he talent to make a run in the deep bantamweight division? Absolutely.
Vera has a lot going for him after picking this win. He was treated with a lot of disrespect coming into this fight and now he gets to continue his impressive run.
The win should put Vera on a seven-fight winning streak, but he got ripped off against Song Yadong a few months ago. So now that he’ll be ranked, let him avenge that loss against Yadong who is also ranked.
Of course there are plenty of other options out there, but I feel like Vera should have the opportunity to get that one back if he chooses too.
Sean O’Malley
Result: lost to Marlon Vera by unanimous decision at UFC 252
Next: Heel up
O’Malley is still a stud, a star and maybe a future champion. It sucks that he’s injured again. I’m not sure how long its going to take for him to recover, but I feel like he should not fight again until he is 100 percent ready.
There is no reason to rush him. The kid has a bright future and needs to be treated like the future star of the UFC like many do right now.
When it’s time for him to come back, I feel like the UFC should have this plan in place. First fight someone right outside the top 15. If he wins he gets ranked and gets an opponent ranked close to him. If he wins that fight, then you book him against someone ranked in the 7-10 area that is a good wrestler to see himself test that skill. After that he’s only a fight or two away from the title. It’s long hard road, but I feel it’s a good roadmap.
