Matchmaker Monday Following UFC Auckland – What’s next?
Let’s all give Dan Hooker and Paul Felder a big ‘thank you’. Their UFC Auckland fight this past weekend was a lot of fun to watch and the two showed that they’re absolute warriors.
Following the fight Hooker called for Justin Gaethje and Felder said he might walk away from the sport. Let’s take this information and try and see what’s next for two in this weeks Matchmaker Monday.
Dan Hooker, lightweight
Result: defeated Paul Felder via spilt decision
Next: Justin Gaethje
Looking at the rankings this fight does make a lot of sense. Just one problem though. Gaethje keeps saying he’s holding out for a title fight. Eventually, Gaethje will need to fight and with the top of division screwed up with the return of Conor McGregor, he’s probably going to have to fight someone before a title fight.
Dustin Poirier is also an option for Hooker and he’s also an option for Gaethje as well. Recently, Poirier has been going back and forth with Al Iaquinta and that fight is also an option.
In all reality there’s no such thing as a bad fight at 155-pounds, but right now the safe bet is Gaethje on deck for Hooker.
Paul Felder, lightweight
Result: lost to Dan Hooker via spilt decision
Next: Diego Ferreira
Felder may retire. If he does I wish him well in the future and hope that he’ll still continue to be apart of the UFC broadcast team. If he does decide to fight again I like a match up with Diego Ferreira.
Ferreira is coming off a huge win over former champ Anthony Pettis. Right now he’s ranked right outside the top 10 and win over Felder would put him in the top 10.
As for Felder a win over Ferreira would keep him at a decent ranking spot and then he’ll get the opportunity to try and climb the lightweight rankings again.
