Matchmaker Monday | what’s next for the UFC featherweight division?

2022 has been a big year for UFC featherweights. Two championship bouts and array of contender fights have changed up the title picture massively. As we close in on the end of the year, it’s time to look ahead to what the lies ahead for the top five of the 145lb division.

DISCLAIMER: this is purely opinion based. Feel free to disagree!

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(c) Alexander Volkanovski (25-1) – UFC featherweight champion

Masterful title defenses against Chan Sung Jung and Max Holloway have put champion Alexander Volkanovski at the top of the pound-for-pound list. It’s not an understatement to say, at this point, that it will take a Herculean effort to dethrone the Aussie. His future commitments may not lie at 145lbs, however.

His goal of taking a second title at 155lbs has been much publicised and it seems all but inevitable. A showdown with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in Perth is the likely next option, and it’s one that fans want to see. Critics of superfights and those who say that they clog up divisions must admit that this is the fight to make right now for ‘The Great’.

(#1) Max Holloway (23-7) – former UFC featherweight champion

A second bid to reclaim his title against Volkanovski proved unsuccessful for Max Holloway. This has left him in something of a limbo position, because there is little chance that he can earn another title shot during the champ’s reign. Holloway is not one to bow down, and I fully expect him to be back to action in 2023.

It’s honestly proving difficult for me to find a suitable opponent for the Hawaiian. The upper echelons of the division have matchups that make more sense, so we may have to look beyond the top five for a fighter to take on Holloway. It’s definitely an abstract choice, but why not go for the winner of Bryce Mitchell vs Ilia Topuria? Hot prospects against established vets is the norm for matchmakers. Let’s do it.

(#2) Yair Rodriguez (14-3, 1 NC) – featherweight contender

It was unfortunate lone win for Yair Rodriguez in 2022, but a finish against Brian Ortega has put the Mexican into the title picture. It’s clear that he is one of the most talented fighters at featherweight, but like Holloway, finding a matchup that suits isn’t the easiest to do.

Since his win, Rodriguez has said that he’s not interested in any other bout that isn’t Alexander Volkanovski. This obviously places him in a weird situation. The champion is likely occupied for the foreseeable future, so we may not see Rodriguez in action for a while. Assuming that he goes back on his word, the only fighter that I can see working is Movsar Evloev. It’s not the most logical fight ever, rankings wise, but it would certainly do wonders for the winner.

(#3) Brian Ortega (15-3, 1 NC) – two-time featherweight title challenger

Two straight losses to the champion Volkanovski and Rodriguez have left Brian Ortega as something of an outcast in the top five. It’s safe to say that it’ll take a handful of wins to get the Californian back in contention for a third UFC title bid.

The first few months of 2023 will probably be allocated for Ortega’s recovery, as he is still dealing with the follow-ons of his shoulder injury. When he’s ready to return, it’s apt that he should be matched up with another contender who is currently sidelined. Calvin Kattar presents an exciting stylistic fight for Ortega, and their timelines should roughly matchup. Five rounds of these two slugging it out? Sign me up.

(#4) Josh Emmett (18-2) – featherweight contender

The path to 145lb glory has been a long and arduous one for Josh Emmett. The Team Alpha Male prospect, at 37 years old, is in the best condition of his career. Like his fellow contenders, he is eyeing a fight with the champion, but it’s probable that he will be willing to accept another fight.

With the champion occupied, we could definitely see an interim title being introduced at featherweight. Should Emmett be ready to go by March, I can see a championship fight with Arnold Allen in London being made. It will finally establish a clear next challenge for Volkanovski, as well as giving two deserving fighters a chance to fight for a belt.

(#5) Arnold Allen (19-1) – featherweight contender

Long plagued by inactivity and injuries, two finishes in 2022 have put Arnold Allen at the forefront of title discussions. The Englishmen, after his recent win over Calvin Kattar, has made the transition from dark horse prospect to fully-fledged championship contender.

A homecoming party to London at UFC 286 seems like the obvious choice for Allen’s next booking. Like I mentioned, a bout against Josh Emmett would be a cracking interim title co-main event fight on that card. For me, this fight makes too much sense not to make.

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How would you matchmake the featherweight division? Do you disagree with my picks? Let us know in the comments!