It appears to occur each time, however UFC followers proceed to fall for a similar lure. At any time when a battle card like final weekend’s Apex occasion between Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez appears underwhelming, it someway delivers insanely entertaining, albeit not precisely high-level, blended martial arts. UFC Vegas 109 was no exception, with a number of fighters delivering notably spectacular performances on the primary card.
The following matchups for Saturday’s foremost card victors embrace some big-time fights, notably for the primary occasion winner.
Subsequent Matchups: Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
“CLD” added a signature win to his resume, including on to an already-excellent UFC report by knocking out Eryk Anders within the first spherical. The promotion would do properly to proceed to construct Duncan up as a respectable middleweight prospect by pairing him up with one other beatable veteran within the subsequent matchups booked, particularly for the reason that Brit has struggled at any time when he has been given the chance to take a step up in competitors.
Barriault placed on a present in a loss to Shara Magomedov, however it’s arduous to see him as any type of hazard to the youthful, larger, sooner Duncan. Moreover, the UFC has proven willingness to feed Barriault to the wolves previously, matching him up with Joe Pyfer and Magomedov, two fights during which the Canadian was a heavy underdog. Maybe a subsequent matchup in Vancouver may entice Barriault into accepting one other troublesome battle.
Subsequent Matchups: Jean Matsumoto vs. Cody Garbrandt
Matsumoto’s upcoming journey to the Octagon ought to be fastidiously thought over by UFC CEO Dana White. The 25-year-old has all the makings of a future champion: incredible, dynamic placing, a black belt in jiu-jitsu, and serviceable, steadily bettering takedown protection. Each a kind of abilities was on show in Matsumoto’s razor-close win in opposition to Miles Johns, and may additional the notion of the Brazilian as a future contender at 135.
Even for a future contender, a gradual construct is the right transfer right here so far as the subsequent matchups are involved. Matsumoto is younger, and Johns and an in depth resolution loss to Rob Font have confirmed that he’s not prepared for the highest but. Enter Cody Garbrandt. An enormous title with a championship resume, a Garbrandt matchup may fulfill two functions: drawing massive names to Matsumoto, and testing him with a former champion. Ebook it on the prelims of an end-of-year pay-per-view.
Subsequent Matchups: Andre Fili vs. Nate Landwehr
In some way, these two haven’t fought but. Fili continued his win-one, lose-one sample with a enjoyable battle in opposition to Christian Rodriguez, as soon as once more proving his capacity to please a crowd. Utilizing him as a gatekeeper is an choice, however followers want subsequent matchups that do greater than promote a reputation. A battle with Landwehr, one other man who is not any stranger to a knock-down, drag-out affair, is bound to attract the eyes the UFC needs. That is one other one that ought to land on November’s or December’s PPV.
Subsequent Matchups: Iasmin Lucindo vs. Mackenzie Dern
Lucindo is now 5-2 within the UFC and primed for a push to the highest in a reasonably skinny strawweight division. One of many girls who defeated her, Amanda Lemos, additionally beat Dern, and with the remainder of the highest canine at 115 booked up, that is the most suitable choice. Lucindo would enter the battle as a considerable favourite, persevering with the trajectory to the highest that the UFC undoubtedly has in thoughts for her in a division that’s rapidly rising stale.
Subsequent Matchups: Steve Erceg vs. Andre Lima
What an enigma Erceg has turned out to be. The Aussie has given the perfect flyweights on this planet all they will deal with, however the three-fight dropping streak Erceg lastly shattered final weekend speaks for itself. There’s a path to the highest for him, however it’s an arduous, painstaking one that ought to function Erceg defending his rating at flyweight subsequent outing.
Conveniently, Andre Lima is overdue for a shot on the prime 15 after racking up 4 wins within the UFC, and Erceg’s current historical past leaves rather a lot to be desired. Lima additionally presents a really winnable battle for Erceg, and an opportunity to construct up some confidence earlier than an earnest push up the ladder begins for a second time.
Subsequent Matchups: Anthony Hernandez vs. Reinier de Ridder
There are a selection of potential subsequent matchups for Hernandez after his foremost occasion mauling of Dolidze. A gathering with Israel Adesanya is actually on the desk, however that looks like a whole disservice to the previous champ, one that will possible finish in a one-sided strangling for Hernandez. As an alternative, a grappling extravaganza in opposition to de Ridder presents a excessive tempo, ridiculous scrambles, and a approach to deliver respectable title implications to the brand new era of middleweights.
Whereas some may really feel that RDR deserves a title shot following his win over Robert Whittaker, one other victory will probably be so as after the UFC’s journey to Paris is full. Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho will present down for the appropriate to problem for the title in Paris, pushing de Ridder and Hernandez down the chain of command. A headline spot on the finish of the yr, or in early 2026, would go well with each males completely as they attempt to clinch a date with the champion.
