Jon Jones, UFC 309 ceremonial weigh-in Credit score: Jake Noecker/Cageside Press
The UFC’s yearly November journeys to New York are often a number of the larger occasions on the calendar. They are saying there’s magic inside Madison Sq. Backyard that may flip any combat card into memorable moments and this 12 months was no totally different; individuals will keep in mind this occasion for a large number of causes. With UFC 309 now formally behind us, it’s time to take a look at what’s subsequent for its winners.
This shouldn’t take too lengthy; it’s Tom Aspinall. Is there a no 1 contender, throughout any division, extra deserving of a shot on the undisputed title than Tom Aspinall? Individuals can discuss Magomed Ankalaev and Manon Fiorot’s very sturdy instances, however Aspinall’s beats theirs with out the shadow of a doubt.
Now that Jones lastly bought the legacy combat he wished in opposition to Stipe Miocic, he has the identical two choices that Tony Ferguson as soon as gave Conor McGregor on the mic: defend or vacate. If he desires to chase different names he has namedropped this previous week like Alex Pereira, Jamahal Hill or Derrick Lewis, then he must vacate the heavyweight title. If he desires to maintain his belt, then there is no such thing as a different choice than Tom Aspinall.
Jones’ subsequent combat: Tom Aspinall
UFC 309 was the primary time in Oliveira’s profession that he went into the championship rounds. Regardless of a fifth-round scare and having to combat by way of a number of fouls from Michael Chandler, “Do Bronx” earned the unanimous choice victory.
The previous champion isn’t missing in choices. He clearly has a declare to a title shot in opposition to the winner of the Makhachev/Tsarukyan rematch, which ought to be introduced any minute now. Nevertheless, if Islam Makhachev is victorious, his subsequent combat may very properly be for a shot at double-champ standing, which he can have earned. If Tsarukyan dethrones the champion, Makhachev will nearly definitely be granted a right away rematch. In both state of affairs, Oliveira won’t get his title shot for some time, which means he’ll almost definitely must combat once more.
Dan Hooker, Renato Moicano and Paddy Pimblett are all related names at light-weight that he hasn’t fought and will have known as out. He may even nonetheless be within the Conor McGregor sweepstakes if the Irishman ever does return to the octagon.
In the long run, no combat makes extra sense than a Max Holloway rematch. Holloway has acknowledged that he’s aiming for a return in the summertime at Worldwide Struggle Week. Oliveira simply went 5 arduous rounds and revealed he fought with a knee damage. Letting him get better means a summer time return probably works for him as properly. It’s the combat I known as for within the matchmaking piece that was written after UFC 308, which you will discover on this very web site. It’s a combat that was booked practically 10 years in the past when each had been rising contenders. It’s a disgrace we didn’t get to completely see it play out after it ended rapidly because of a fluky damage. Quick ahead to at the moment and each are a number of the most achieved fighters this sport has seen.
It’s a conflict of legends we need to see.
Oliveira’s subsequent combat: Max Holloway rematch
This was a puzzling efficiency from Nickal. He got here in with a 100% end price going up in opposition to a virtually 37-year-old Paul Craig who was 1-4 in his earlier 5 fights, getting completed in his final three losses. Taking a look at it that manner, it’s not obscure why he was a large -1200 betting favorite.
When two fighters identified for his or her grappling prowess face different, it’s not unusual to see the combat play out as a putting affair. However Craig’s putting has by no means been particularly threatening, so it was unusual seeing Nickal not press on the fuel pedal extra regardless of by no means actually being in peril.
In final week’s matchmaking article, I mentioned that Reinier de Ridder ought to combat the winner of this combat, however I’m unsure I like that combat as a lot now. So I’m altering the decide to a combat that was booked earlier than. It made sense when it was introduced, and it nonetheless is smart now: Tresean Gore. Gore made an emphatic comeback final week with one other brutal guillotine end. He represents precisely the extent of competitors that Nickal must show he can beat convincingly earlier than we throw him to the higher echelon of the division.
Nickal’s subsequent combat: Tresean Gore
Viviane Araújo
The veteran Araújo bought certainly one of her greatest wins as she handed the streaking Karine Silva her first UFC loss. She holds the gatekeeper function, like a Dan Ige or Jack Hermansson, the place she at all times represents a great check to see the place contenders fall inside the division’s construction.
Now that she fended off Silva, let’s see if she will be able to do the identical factor to Tracy Cortez. Cortez is coming off a loss, however her inventory shouldn’t drop an excessive amount of. She fought Rose Namajunas on quick discover and nonetheless managed to go the space. For that cause, I’m nonetheless keen to offer her somebody ranked above her like Araújo. Hopefully Cortez gained’t be out too lengthy following surgical procedure, and this combat can happen within the first half of 2025. That seems to be her plan at current.
Araújo’s subsequent combat: Tracy Cortez
Opening up the UFC 309 Pay-Per-View, the Combating Nerds’ product Mauricio Ruffy gained a cushty choice over James Llontop. The UFC had initially introduced through the UFC 306 broadcast that Ruffy was scheduled to combat on UFC 307 in Salt Lake Metropolis. After failing to search out him an opponent for that date, they pushed him to 309 in opposition to James Llontop. As a result of the combat was on comparatively quick discover, they booked it at a catchweight of 165 lbs, and regardless of the 10-pound cushion, Llontop nonetheless got here in above the contracted restrict. This may very well be a part of the rationale he was in a position to survive the onslaught that Ruffy placed on him within the first two rounds.
Whereas I believed this was a greater efficiency than some are keen to confess, I’m nonetheless not able to throw Ruffy to the wolves. He requested for Benoit Saint Denis in his post-fight interview, however with light-weight having so many unranked fighters on longer win streaks than him, I doubt he will get it.
Nazim Sadykhov is a superb choice. He’s in 2-0-1 within the UFC in opposition to higher competitors than what Ruffy has confronted up to now. They’re in very related spots inside the division and a combat between them would inform us who to push ahead.
Ruffy’s subsequent combat: Nazim Sadykhov
