Alex Perez
Wants to fight: Askar Askarov
The callout: “I’d like [autotag]Askar Askarov[/autotag] next. He’s a wrestler, I’m a wrestler, and we both like to stand, so why not? I’d love to get on that Khabib vs. Tony Ferguson card. That’d give me a little break and then come back ready to work.”
The reality: If you’re [autotag]Alex Perez[/autotag], it’s a completely sensible callout. He’s already ranked and, after a solid win, he’s understandably looking to fight someone higher up the rankings. But if you’re Askarov, it probably isn’t a fight you’d instantly accept. The upside to facing Perez seems minimal for the former ACB champ, who is undefeated and coming off an impressive win of his own. Askarov should probably be targeting top-three opposition next time out, and Perez may find himself needing another win before he gets a shot at the division’s elite. He’s right there, but I think he may need one more victory to force himself into that conversation.
[opinary poll=”how-interested-are-you-in-seeing-alex-pe” customer=”mmajunkie”]
Michael Chiesa
Wants to fight: Colby Covington
The callout: “No disrespect to [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag], I just know how tough he is, and I want to be where he is. He just fought for a title, and I know he will bring out the best in me. I want to fight him in July during International Fight Week and then fight for a title by the end of the year.”
The reality: [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag] knows he needs another big name to force himself into title contention in a crowded 170-pound division, and who better than the last man to challenge for the title?
Of course, there are the obvious medical logistics to overcome – Covington is still recovering from the broken jaw he sustained at the hands of welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 245 – but Chiesa is a suitably well known name to keep “Chaos” in the conversation upon his return.
Stylistically, it’s a fight that may attract both men, too. Chiesa will relish pitting his grappling skills against Covington’s relentless wrestling-based attack while, following his slugfest with Usman, Covington might view Chiesa as a suitable return fight against opposition whose threat will come predominantly on the ground and offer less risk to his still-recovering jawline.
[lawrence-related id=484051]
If the dates line up and Covington is ready to roll by the summer, a wrestler vs. grappler matchup between the pair at International Fight Week could make a lot of sense and position the winner for a top contender fight toward the end of the year.
[opinary poll=”how-interested-are-you-in-seeing-michael” customer=”mmajunkie”]
Curtis Blaydes
Wants to fight: Stipe Miocic
The callout: “I want the belt next, that’s it. It’s not up to me, but I want the belt. I don’t want to wait long, but I can do four or five months, if that works out. I’m going to grab a couple beers, get on my flight back to Denver and then get back to training.”
The reality: When you finish a former UFC heavyweight champion who is known as a knockout artist, there’s really only one callout to make. But I’m not sure [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] stated his case strongly enough to position himself ahead of the other big names at the sharp end of the division.
Make no mistake, his performance to stop Junior Dos Santos was a hugely impressive one, and his run of form warrants a shot at the gold. But, as we all know in his business, strength of resumé alone isn’t always enough to get you what your sporting credentials deserve. The opportunity was there for Blaydes to not just call for a title shot, but to demand it, and I fear he wasn’t anywhere near strong enough in his interview to make people – including the UFC matchmakers – care enough to think, “This guy has to be next.”
[lawrence-related id=483977]
With Miocic still recovering from his injuries, Daniel Cormier still not quite retired, Francis Ngannou waiting by the telephone, and the lingering possibility of Jon Jones moving up to heavyweight if he gets past Dominick Reyes next week, the UFC’s heavyweight division is in something of a holding pattern at the moment. With such an impressive victory on Saturday night, Blaydes could have cut through the fog and positioned himself as the slam-dunk pick to fight for the belt next.
In my eyes, he’s undoubtedly earned his shot. Unfortunately, I just don’t think he’s going to get it next.
[opinary poll=”how-interested-are-you-in-seeing-curtis-” customer=”mmajunkie”]