(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Daniel Cormier and UFC 252’s losing fighters?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.
With another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC 252’s key winning fighters.
Those included [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC), who defended his heavyweight title against Daniel Cormier (22-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) by unanimous decision in the main event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, as well as [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] (16-6-1 MMA, 10-5 UFC), [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC).
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Merab Dvalishvili
Should fight: [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Dvalishvili showed he has more layers to his game than just grappling when he outworked two time title challenger John Dodson to a unanimous decision that extended his winning streak to five fights.
At this point, it’s obvious Dvalishvili is going to be a problem for a lot of people in the bantamweight division. Is he championship material? That remains to be seen. However, he has a great team around him that has made UFC champions and has the motivation and talent to become a real contender.
In beating Dodson, Dvalishvili earned himself a high profile opponent at 135 pounds. He called out Sean O’Malley again post-fight, but his style seems like a nightmare matchup or someone the UFC is positioning to be a big star. It’s a good storyline to keep going, but at this point someone like Stamann (19-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC), who is also a grinder, would be more appropriate for Dvalishvili’s wheelhouse.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Should fight: Winner of [autotag]Walt Harris[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag] at UFC 254
Why they should fight: Rozenstruik bounced back from his first career loss when he netted a second-round TKO of former champ Junior Dos Santos.
After having his unbeaten streak snapped in a brutal 20-second knockout against Francis Ngannou in May, it was hard to tell how Rozenstruik would respond. He had a slow start against Dos Santos, but found his home for the fight-ending blows in the second frame.
With the win, Rozenstruik is back in the mix of heavyweight contenders. He’s a few notches behind the very top tier, but one or two wins can put him where he wants to be. The Suriname native should be keeping a close eye on the Oct. 24 bout between Harris (13-8 MMA, 6-7 UFC) and Volkov (31-8 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC 254, because that match presents a realistic next-fight option.
Marlon Vera
Should fight: [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Vera lived up to his promise to upset Sean O’Malley with his first-round TKO win. “Chito” has now won his past six fights in the bantamweight division, and has stopped everyone inside the distance.
There’s some debate to be had about the nature of the win against O’Malley, of course. Vera believes his win was totally legitimate, though, and now he should move forward to more notable bouts in one of the UFC’s most exciting weight classes.
As Vera breaks his way into the rankings, it’s hard to go wrong with any matchup in the top 15. Given who is available at the moment, Font (17-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) seems like the best option. He’s an action fighter himself, and his style would make for a thriller against Vera once he’s healthy from a recent injury.
Stipe Miocic
Should fight: [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Miocic should rematch Ngannou (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) next for his second title defense.