After dominant performances from the winners of UFC 267, let’s look what are the future options available for them.
MAGOMED ANKALAEV vs VOLKAN OEZDEMIR, winner MAGOMED ANKALAEV (DECISION - UNANIMOUS)
Magomed Ankalaev (29) had a decent performance against a former title challenger in Volkan Oezdemir (32). Ankalaev has now won 7 in a row after dropping his UFC debut in a last-minute submission against Paul Craig. Ankalaev has done enough to earn himself a big opportunity.
Options available:
Aleksandar Rakic, Anthony Smith, Dominic Reyes, Thiago Santos, Jan Blachowicz.
My pick:
Jan Blachowicz
UFC would go with:
Thiago Santos
Assuming Rakic and Smith would be booked.LI JINGLIANG vs KHAMZAT CHIMAEV, winner KHAMZAT CHIMAEV (Submission-Round 1)
Khamzat Chimaev (27) had an over the moon performance against a formidable opponent in Li Jingliang (33). Chimaev has now won 4 in a row overall, and just 2 in the welterweight division. But his star power has been similar to the rise of Conor Mcgregor.
Options available:
Whole Welterweight top 10.
My pick:
Gilbert Burns/Vicente Luque
UFC would go with:
Nate Diaz
Having the same manager (Ali Abdelaziz) could cause some difficulties in these bookingsALEXANDER VOLKOV vs MARCIN TYBURA, winner ALEXANDER VOLKOV (DECISION - UNANIMOUS)
Alexander Volkov (33) won against a streaking Marcin Tybura (35). Volkov has again shown that he only loses to the absolute best of the division.
Options available:
Any fresh matchup
My pick:
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
UFC would go with:
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
A Volkov vs Rozenstruik stand fight is a no-brainer.ISLAM MAKHACHEV vs DAN HOOKER, winner ISLAM MAKHACHEV (Submission-Round 1)
Islam Makhachev (30) khabibed Dan Hooker and got the win in the first round. Makhachev has a 9 fight win (winning) streak and this might be the performance he was missing. But he may still need one more fight for his shot at the gold at 155.
Options available:
Beneil Dariush, the loser of the title fight (Charles Oliveira vs Dustin Poirier, winner/loser of the Justin Gaethje vs Michael Chandler fight.
My pick:
Beneil Dariush
UFC would go with:
The loser of the Justin Gaethje vs Michael Chandler fight
The Beneil Dariush fight is the absolute best option available, but having the same manager is probably the issue here as well.PETR YAN vs CORY SANDHAGEN, winner PETR YAN (DECISION—UNANIMOUS)
Petr Yan (28) outclassed a gamed Cory Sandhagen (29) and regained his bantamweight belt or as the record book says won the interim bantamweight title. Yan has again proved himself as the best bantamweight on the planet right now.
Options available:
Aljamain Sterling Rematch, TJ Dillashaw
My pick:
Aljamain Sterling
UFC would go with:
Aljamain Sterling
If it takes too long for Sterling to come back, then the UFC might strip him, and we could see Yan vs Dillashaw matchup for the undisputed title.JAN BLACHOWICZ vs GLOVER TEIXEIRA, winner GLOVER TEIXEIRA (Submission—Round 2)
Glover Teixeira (42) put on a clinic and dethroned the champion Jan Blachowicz (38). Teixeira capitalized on what was his last shot at the UFC gold. Teixeira might call it a day or take a little break and try to defend his title and get that PPV money as long as his body holds up.
Options available:
Jiri Prochazka
My pick:
Jiri Prochazka
UFC would go with:
Jiri Prochazka
The backup fighter for the title bout, the boogeyman of the division, and maybe the best light heavyweight fighter alive.
Since Anthony Smith is out with injury, I would like Aleksandar Rakic fight for Magomed Ankalaev