Matchmaker Monday following UFC Vegas 29
UFC Vegas 29 resulted in the top of the featherweight division getting even more crowded.
Chan Sung Jung, better known as “The Korean Zombie,” picked up a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige in the main event and now he’s knocking on the door for a title fight along with several other contenders.
As for Ige, he’s going to have to earn another crack at a top five opponent as the defeat to Jung will likely set him back.
Let’s breakdown what’s next for both men on this edition of Matchmaker Monday.
Korean Zombie
Result: defeated Dan Ige by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 29
Next: Calvin Kattar
The top of the featherweight division is crowded and there’s a lot of uncertainly at the moment.
It starts with a recent injury to former champ Max Holloway, which leaves another top contender in Yair Rodriguez without an opponent. Then there’s also an upcoming title fight between reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega.
While there are a lot of moving parts, it’s safe to say that Jung is unlikely to receive a title fight next due to his losses to Ortega and Rodriguez. So for that reason, booking him right now against Calvin Kattar makes the most sense as both men are ranked in the top five of the 145 pound division.
The great thing about having five killers on top of the division with a lot of uncertainty is that there is no such thing as a bad match up. Book them however you want too and the fights will sell to the fans. In the next few weeks and months we’ll have a better understanding of how this division will play out.
Dan Ige
Result: lost to The Korean Zombie by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 29
Next: Giga Chikadze
Tough one for Ige here as the loss now puts him at 0-2 against the top five of the division.
Given that, it’s very likely the UFC is going to book him against someone ranked below him. Cue in Chikadze.
After Chikadze ran through Cub Swanson last month, he’s definitely getting an opponent ranked in the top ten next. Not only was he impressive in that fight, but he’s also undefeated inside of the octagon.
The sound of an Ige vs Chikadze fight sounds about right.
