So, What Now? Fights to Make After UFC 258

Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal 2 - UFC Welterweight Championship

Kamaru Usman proved Saturday night that he is the best welterweight in the world. After being rocked early, Usman came back to dominate the 2nd and 3rd rounds and finished Gilbert Burns. He is now stuck in a predicament that many dominate champions face. His challengers will all be men he has already defeated. Usman’s only options now would be rematches against Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, or Jorge Masvidal. The UFC recently announced they are looking to book Edwards and Covington against each other after Edwards’ original opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, couldn’t compete due to Covid. This leaves Masvidal as the remaining option. It looked like a stretch for Masvidal to get a title fight before last night. His last fight was his loss to Usman in a very one-sided unanimous decision loss. Many believed he would fight Covington in a grudge match number one contenders bout. But Usman himself actually called out Masvidal after his win. The champion said Jorge continues to run his mouth and he wouldn’t mind beating him up again. This fight makes more sense than people want it to. Usman is going to have to start fighting rematches anyways. I think he feels the lead up to the first Masvidal fight didn’t capitalize on the rivalry as much as it could. Jorge had to take the fight on 6 days notice. I think Usman, and the UFC, would like to build up the story line to the rematch and sell more PPVs than before. One way of doing this is through the return of The Ultimate Fighter. TUF has been off the air for many years now, but it is confirmed to be making a return to ESPN this year. Masvidal and Covington were the rumored coaches, but this will likely shift to Usman and Masvidal. In fact, Masvidal’s manager is already tweeting about it. This fight is the first rematch that Usman wants and is probably his biggest money fight currently. If he can get through Masivdal a second time, the winner of Covington and Edwards should be next.

(Zuffa LLC.)

Gilbert Burns vs Michael Chiesa

Gilbert Burns was a couple right hands away from being the UFC Welterweight Champion Saturday night. He swarmed Kamaru Usman early and had him badly hurt just minutes into the fight. Burns was not able to secure the finish, and ended up gassing himself out during the 2nd round. He continuously walked into Usman’s jab until he was stopped at the beginning of the 3rd. Burns is certainly a top 5 guy in this division, but a loss will set him back due to the nature of 170. So many guys are close to a title shot that Burns must look impressive in his next bout. A name I like for Burns is Michael Chiesa. Chiesa is undefeated since moving up from 155 pounds. He is 4-0 and coming off his best win yet against Neil Magny in January. Chiesa’s path is very similar to Burns’ rise to the title. He deserves a top 5 guy in his next matchup and Burns needs to take a step back after being finished. This fight will be the most important fight of both men’s careers. If Burns were to win, he would stay in the mix for a rematch with Usman. If Chiesa pulls it out, he would be a new name in the top 5 and would have a case for a title shot.

(USA Today Sports)

Alexa Grasso vs Jessica Eye

Alexa Grasso showed out in the biggest performance of her career. She was able to keep Maycee Barber and her power at bay with crisp boxing technique. Grasso was the faster fighter throughout the contest and showcased herself as one of the best strikers in the division. She was also able to hold her own in the grappling very well. For a former strawweight, she was able to control Barber, who is a big flyweight, throughout many of the exchanges. Grasso was already a top 10 player in the straw weight division, so I need no reason to hold her back from a big fight at flyweight. I like a matchup with Jessica Eye next. Eye is one of the only women in the division with a recognizable name. Fans have seen Eye in multiple big fights including Fight Night main events and Title Fights. Eye is on a 2 fight losing streak and a fight with Grasso could be a crossroads fight. Grasso would have the opportunity to steal Eye’s spot amongst the elite and would be on the short list for a title fight if she wins.

(youtube.com/UFC)

Maycee Barber vs Andrea Lee

The Maycee Barber hype train took another hit Saturday night. She looked good in her fight with Grasso, but was a bit too aggressive. She allowed Grasso to maneuver her attacks too easily by throwing slow, looping power shots. Barber did come out and win the 3rd round of the fight by using her strength in the clinch to set up her shots better. But it was too little too late. Barber will now look to get herself back on track in a career that is just beginning. Andrea Lee would be an interesting matchup at Flyweight. Lee is a 6 fight veteran of the UFC who is coming off 3 straight losses. 2 very close split decision Ls to Joanne Calderwood and Lauren Murphy stopped Lee’s run at the belt. She dropped her last fight in more convincing fashion to Roxanne Modaferri. There is only room for one of these women in the top 10 of the division, so lets match up the old prospect with the young blood. Lee can reclaim her spot with a nice win and Maycee can prove herself against a veteran. Both women badly need a win to keep their championship dreams alive.

(mediareferee.com)

Kelvin Gastelum vs Jarred Cannonier

It was really nice to see Kelvin Gastelum get a win over Ian Heinisch. Kelvin had been as down bad as any fighter in the UFC. Coming off 3 straight losses, some fans believed Kelvin’s best day were behind him. He proved everyone wrong and looked fantastic on Saturday. He landed a career high in takedowns with 6 and controlled Heinisch in every aspect. He proved himself to be a level above the top 15 contenders. Kelvin has name value and experience in the octagon that should allow him to get a big fight next. The UFC has formed a small tournament to figure out Middleweight while the champion, Isreal Adesanya, challenges for the Light Heavyweight belt. Most of the division is booked, besides the “Killa Gorilla” Jared Cannonier. Cannonier is coming off a loss to Robert Whittaker and would make sense for Gastelum. The winner will continue towards reestablishing themselves as a true contender. Middleweight is going to be incredibly fun over the next few months. One loss for any of these guys and they are out of the title picture. The last two slot remaining should belong to Gastelum and Cannonier.

(USA Today Sports)

Ian Heinisch vs Brad Tavares

Ian Heinisch just can’t seem to break into the top 10 of the division. He stumbled again coming up short against Kelvin Gastelum. Heinisch looked outclassed in the wrestling and was losing the striking battles as well. He seemed slow compared to Gastelum, who is one of the faster Middleweights to be fair. Heinisch will now have to scratch out a couple wins against some fringe contenders to get a shot again at the elite. The certified gatekeeper of the top 15 has been Brad Tavares. Tavares has been in between 11-15 for what feels like 10 years now. He can’t win the big ones, but he can’t lose the small ones. This fight was booked before, but Tavares will rebooked to a fight with Edmen Shahbazyan, which he lost. He is now coming off a win against Antonio Carlos Junior, someone Heinisch has beat as well. It makes sense for both parties and will serves as, yet another, top 15 gatekeeper fight for Tavares.

(fansided.com)

Ricky Simon vs Cody Stamann

Ricky Simon is one of the more under appreciated fighter in the UFC Bantamweight division. Simon has been a force within the division and now holds wins over Brian Kelleher, former title challenger Ray Borg, and #12 ranked Merab Dvalishvili. Simon is also great on the mic after fights and rocks a mullet. He should be getting good fights, and a match with Stamann would be a good start. Stamann was previously ranked at bantamweight and has had a hard time getting a fight booked. His last three fights have been postponed. This fight would be a good chance for two overlooked fighters to finally get a number next to their name and some momentum in the division. It’s also a fan friendly stylistic matchup, with always helps.

(Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC.)

Brian Kelleher vs John Dodson

I just think this fight would be pure madness. Kelleher has been a company man for the UFC for the past year. He has been taking every fight offered his way and making the most of it. He has had split results, but his name value has gone up and fans now know him for putting on exciting performances. I say, reward that attitude with a solid fight against John Dodson. Dodson still hold name value with the hardcore fan after winning The Ultimate Fighter season 14 and being a true contender at flyweight for years. Dodson presented long-time champion “Mighty Mouse” Johnson with his toughest test and was seen as a top 3 flyweight for years. Since moving up to bantamweight later in his career, he has been beaten by the elite of the division and is no longer ranked. This fight would be pure madness between two fan favorite brawlers with heavy hands. Lets book it, just cause it’s so fun.

(Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Julian Marquez vs Punahele Soriano

Marquez vs “Puna” would be a matchup of two of the most interesting prospects in the Middleweight division. Marquez has shown promise since coming off Dana White’s Contender Series, but hasn’t impressed in the octagon enough to put a number next to his name. He was down 2 rounds to Maki Pitolo before coming back and chasing the bag with Miley Cyrus. If he could take out Soriano, it would be his biggest win to date. Soriano is one of the hottest prospects in the division. Unlike Marquez, his name is picking up steam fast. Puna has gone 2-0 with 2 first round KOs since coming off the Contender Series. His last fight was on the main card on UFC on ABC. This fight will eliminate one name from the prospect ranks and could push one into a huge fight in the division.

(USA Today Sports)

Maki Pitolo vs indeed.com

Maki is probably going to be looking for a job elsewhere. He is now 1-4 in the UFC and its hard to believe he will be getting another contract in the mail. It was a good run for “Coconut Bombs.” You will be missed.