In the past two weeks, the octagon has played host to some memorable fights in both Miami at UFC 327 and Manitoba, Canada, last weekend.
So, now is as good a time as ever to look forward and play the role of Dana White and Hunter Campbell, and matchmake some of the fighters after these events.
Carlos Ulberg & Jiri Prochazka:
With Carlos Ulberg taking the light heavyweight throne, defeating Jiri Prochazka by TKO in round one, it is only right to matchmake him first.
Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained in the fight Ulberg has to undergo knee surgery for a torn ACL, in his right leg, which will leave him out for around 10-12 months.
In this case, I believe an interim bout may be made later down the line if he stays on the sideline for as long as predicted.
There is currently just one fighter, aside from Alex Peirera, who is moving up to heavyweight, in the top 7 on a win streak, so I believe Paulo Costa should fight Khalil Rountree to determine who should get a place in an interim title fight.
I believe the winner of this matchup should face the number one ranked contender, Magomedov Ankalaev, for a chance to face Ulberg.
This is a very complete list of matchups to start the matchmaking, demonstrating the lacklustre state of the light heavyweight division at the moment.
Jiri Prochazka currently has no suitable matchup at 205 lbs and after losing his third title shot in a row I think it is time for a change in division.
There are a lot of exciting stylistic matchups in the middleweight division: Brendan Allen, Caio Borralho, Joe Pyther and Anthony Hernandez are all realistic matchups for the Czech Samurai.
Paulo Costa & Azamat Murzakanov:
Paulo Costa made an impressive start to his new chapter at light heavyweight, defeating previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov and now finds himself ranked number seven.
As stated above, I would match him up against ranked number five Khalil Rountree, who’s coming off a TKO loss against Jiri Prochazka.
This would be a stylistically fan-friendly matchup that makes sense within the current ranks in the light heavyweight division.
As for Murzakanov, with Jan Blachowicz out of his bout against Bogdan Guskov, I think this is the perfect fight for a quick turnaround to get back into the win column.
Josh Hokit & Curtis Blaydes:
Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes put up a performance of the night display, in what is being touted as the best heavyweight fight of all time!
It was so good that Hokit got a new matchup at the event, with Dana White announcing he would fight Derrick Lewis in the latest addition of the White House Card.
Even in defeat, Curtis Blaydes’ stock has not fallen after a performance like that, and I believe the UFC will continue using him as a ‘gatekeeper’ to test up-and-coming talent.
A fight with Tyrell Fortune makes a lot of sense, who is ranked number 11 after a unanimous decision win over Marcin Tybura.
Mike Malott:
Mike Malott just got the biggest win of his career in his home country, Canada, defeating Brazilian legend Gilbert Burns, who announced his retirement in the octagon.
He will be ranked in the top 15 at welterweight in the coming days, and now being on a four-fight win streak will expect another step up in competition.
Belal Muhammad and Gabriel Bonfim headline a UFC Apex card on June 6th, and I believe the loser of this fight will be the perfect matchup for the Canadian to test his grappling against the elite.
