Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was back at it again last night (Sat., Dec. 8, 2018) as it staged UFC 231 from inside Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, featuring a highly-entertaining Featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega (see it). The co-main event saw Valentina Shevchenko finally win a UFC title after outscoring Joanna Jedrzejczyk to hoist the vacant women’s Flyweight title.
Winner: Max Holloway
Who He Should Fight Next: ???
I am not too sure what is going to happen to Max next after his masterful performance against Brian Ortega. The win was his thirteenth in a row over the last five years, pretty much taking out one top contender after another including two straight knockout wins over Jose Aldo.
A trilogy fight against “Junior” should never happen, and when you look at the top contenders, the only man worthy of a title fight, as far as wins and losses is concerned, is Renato Moicano, who is 5-1 inside the Octagon with his lone loss coming against Ortega. Nothing against Renato, but at the end of the day UFC is looking to put on the biggest and most-sellable fights, even if if it comes at the expense of the true and deserving man or woman. In this case, Renato may have to wait and see what UFC and Max decide to do, because “Blessed” could very well move up to Lightweight to conquer new islands.
Winner: Valentina Shevchenko
Who She Should Fight Next: Jessica Eye
Jessica Eye has turned things around in a hurry, winning three straight fights at 125 pounds, which should be good enough to give her a big boost after taking out Katlyn Chookagian in Toronto. What makes “Evil” the front-runner is the fact that “Bullet” has already accepted her challenge, which should make UFC matchmakers’ jobs that much easier.
Winner: Gunnar Nelson
Who He Should Fight Next: Neil Magny
These two combatants were set to face off earlier this year before UFC opted to yank Neil from the fight to take on Santiago Ponzinibbio, a fight he ultimately he lost. While Gunnar is coming off an impressive win over Alex Oliveira, it was his first win since getting smoked by the aforementioned Ponzinibbio.
I really like this fight a lot, and was really looking forward to it when it was first announced. It just makes sense at the moment. There is no reason to overthink the booking of this matchup.
Winner: Hakeem Dawodu
Who He Should Fight Next: Henrique Barzola
Dawodu won his second straight fight after taking out Kyle Bochniak in a very close bout. He is still has a long way to go in order to keep getting bigger and better fights. An intriguing showdown against Barzola would be a good fit, next, as Henrique has won four in a row and is himself trying to climb up the 125-pound ladder. Both of he prospects could have a bright future in the Octagon, and a win over the other could be a huge boost for their respective career.
Winner: Thiago Santos
Who He Should Fight Next: Winner of Ilir Latifi vs Corey Anderson at UFC 232
Santos showed once again that his move up to Light Heavyweight was a great one, winning his second in a row after knocking out Jimi Manuwa in Canada in a thrilling bout. Still, “Marreta” has his work cut out for him if he wants to crack the top 10 in the division, though he should get into the top 15 with this win. A fight against the winner of the upcoming bout between Ilir Latifi and Corey Anderson — which is set for UFC 232 later this month — could be in store for the Brazilian power-puncher. A win over either of those men will be the faster road to the top 10 for Thiago.
For complete UFC 231 results and coverage click here.