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UFC 275 Aftermath: Fights to Make
After an epic fight card, that generated a Fight of the Year contender and several other storylines, we’ve got some fights to make. Main Event: Jiri Prochazka In an unbelievable […]
After an epic fight card, that generated a Fight of the Year contender and several other storylines, we’ve got some fights to make.
Embed from Getty ImagesMain Event:
Jiri Prochazka
In an unbelievable showing, Prochazka survived several grappling positions and submissions from one of the best ground specialist in the weight class. With less than a minute left from losing the fight, Prochazka locked in a fight ending submission. A truly bizarre result for such an instant classic of a fight, as Jiri had only two submission wins in thirty-two fights – and Glover Teixeira had never been submitted in forty professional fights.
What’s next:?
Rematch: The first is an immediate rematch. An unexpected result, and one that never crossed my mind. However, given how the fight went and how close Teixeira was to winning, I could see it. After all, Teixeira is 42 years old. His time remaining in the sport is nearing expiration and I’d assume the UFC wants to get whatever’s left out of him.
Jan Blachowicz: As long as this fight takes place overseas, it could be very lucrative. Two European standouts clashing, with Blachowicz trying to get his throne back. A fun storyline for what would be an exciting fight. The problem for Blachowicz though, is not only how the main event played out, but that Teixeira beat him less than a year ago. Obviously Blachowicz has won since, but the nature of victory with Rakic suffering a knee injury could muddy the waters for a title shot next
Winner of Anthony Smith vs. Magomed Ankalaev: Oddly enough, if Smith were to win this fight. I think that the Teixeira rematch would grow more legs. The reason for that is because Smith has two losses since May of 2020. One of them being a beatdown by Teixeira. However, if Ankalaev were to win, it would be warranted for him to garner a title shot. Unless he’s under the Tony Ferguson restriction, a victory would be nine straight. That’s second in Light Heavyweight history to Jon Jones’ seventeen consecutive and tied for fourteenth all-time in UFC history. Hard to ignore such a feat.
Glover Teixeira
Almost notching an epic victory to a legendary career, Teixeira appears not ready to hang up the gloves. With father time creeping in, the path for Teixeira to garner another title shot doesn’t seem all that impossible.
Rematch: See Above
Jan Blachowicz: Even though they just fought, they talked about running back. Obviously Teixeira was the Champion and that’s what Blachowicz is gunning for. However, depending on what happens in the Anthony Smith and Magomed Ankalaev fight, this could be an inevitable fight to get back to the title for both men.
Shogun Rua: This is a true Hail Mary scenario, but with both nearing the end of their legendary careers, this fight could be a potential sendoff. I’m not sure what the status of their friendship is these days, but I recall Rua snubbing the idea of fighting Teixeira back in 2012 and even Teixeira calling out his fellow Brazilian in 2019. It has legs, but not strong one’s with Teixeira being in the title picture still.
Rest of the Card:
Embed from Getty Images| Valentina Shevchenko vs. Taila Santos 2: Before this fight, I had really wanted to see Shevchenko move up and challenge the winner of Julianna Pena and Amanada Nunes for the Bantamweight title. However, after seeing a valiant effort by Santos, who could of very well of won the split decision, I believe the Brazilian deserves another shot. After all, not only was the fight close and competitive, but a head clash in the third round compromised Santo’s eye. Clearly hampering her striking in the Championship rounds, which were rounds won by Shevchenko, Santos lost an opportunity to shock the world. It would only be right to give her that chance again. |
| Zhang Weili vs. Carla Esparza: Obviously this is next, but I did want to highlight that Weili looked absolutely incredible. Joanna Jędrzejczyk: Retiring following the fight, Jędrzejczyk’s career will live on as that of a legend and future Hall of Famer. |
| Jake Matthews vs. Alex Morono: In Matthews’ sixteenth fight in the UFC, never did I think we’d see a version of the Aussie that looks like a problem in the Welterweight division. A truly flawless performance and perhaps the beginning of something special, a potential scrap with Alex Morono could be fireworks. Andre Fialho vs. Matt Brown: Looking to win for the third time in fifty-six days, Fialho finally met resistance in Jake Matthews. While time off may be in order, down the line, a fight against Matt Brown would be extremely exciting. |
| Jack Della Maddalena vs. Niko Price: After another sensational performance, Maddalena finds himself in a solid position only two fights into his UFC tenure. Obviously not wanting to rush, but at the same time he just defeated an experienced ex M-1 Champion in Ramazan Emeev, I feel like a logical next fight could be against Niko Price. Just Imagine the Chaos! Ramazan Emeev vs. Warlley Alves: After back-to-back losses, Emeev’s chances to impact a stacked Welterweight division may be all but gone. However, an interesting next fight could be a clash of styles against Alves. |
| Josh Culibao vs. Julian Erosa: Notching his second consecutive win in the UFC, Culibao begins his ascension in the Featherweight division. A fun next step and scrap if I’m being honest, would be against Erosa. Seung Woo Choi vs. Steven Peterson: Stumbling now in two straight fights, Choi will need to pick himself back up. Maybe a fight against Steven Peterson, who is coming off a loss would be ideal. |
| Hayisaer Maheshate vs. Natan Levy: Usually one to dismiss inexperienced fighters with no quality wins, I for the first-time actually believed that Maheshate looked the part of a UFC fighter. Predicting him to win via knockout, Maheshate didn’t fail me. Building him up, a fight against a fellow fighter with than less than ten fights in Levy would be ideal. How about in Paris? Steve Garcia vs. Frank Camacho: It’s plausible to believe that we are dealing with a chin issue, as Garcia has been dropped four times in two fights. Another guy who has suffered a similar chin issues is Camacho. A fight between the two could be exciting and quick. |
| Brendan Allen vs. Krzysztof Jotko: Teetering along the top fifteen, Allen could benefit to fight another foe who is on the cusp of cracking the rankings in Jotko. Jacob Malkoun vs. Nick Maximov: This would be quite the wrestling match. |
| Kyung Ho Kang vs. Jonathan Martinez: While Martinez may deserve someone higher up, this fight isn’t exactly out of the realm of possibility. After all, Kang was won four of his last five fights. Also, the fight itself would be an intriguing striking battle. Danaa Batgerel vs. Marcelo Rojo: In the midst of a tough stretch, Batgerel will have to go back to the drawing board. However, given his style, he’s looking to slug it out. A perfect opponent willing to brawl would be Rojo. |
| Silvana Gomez Juarez vs. Sam Hughes: After an impressive knockout, Juarez looks like she can do some damage in this division if she avoids the ground. Hughes being well rounded would offer up a test. Na Liang vs. Ashley Yoder: Liang has yet to taste victory and even worse, she’s been finished in both fights. A potential fight that could be beneficial be against Yoder. After all, she’s in a slump and hasn’t finished someone since 2016. |
| Joselyne Edwards vs. Macy Chiasson: If Edwards sticks around at Featherweight, this is the only open fight in the division Ramona Pascual vs. loser of Leah Letson vs. Chelsea Chandler: If not cut, this would be a bottom of the division fight. |
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