Matchmaker Monday | what’s next after UFC on ESPN 47?

After another weekend of UFC fights in Vegas, it’s time to take a look at what’s next for the winners and losers of the card’s headlining bouts.

Note: these are purely opinion based, feel free to disgaree!

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(#4) Jared Cannonier (17-6) – former UFC title challenger

After a hard-fought decision win on Saturday night, Jared Cannonier has found himself in the title picture once again. The Alaskan is riding the back of a two-fight win-streak over notable top contenders, but he will likely need one more emphatic win before he gets another shot at the belt; his performance against Israel Adesanya didn’t have fans clamouring for a rematch. Old foe Robert Whittaker is set to take on Dricus du Plessis in July, with the winner of that bout set to get the next title shot. I think that it makes sense for ‘The Killa Gorilla’ to take on the loser of Whittaker vs du Plessis. With a win, he could find himself at the helm of another championship opportunity.

(#3) Marvin Vettori (19-7-1) – former UFC title challenger

His loss on Saturday night has left Marvin Vettori in an odd position at 185lbs. His last three bouts, where he has picked up one win and suffered two losses, have shown that he is capable of holding his own with the best of the division, but hasn’t been able to break through just yet. One thing is abundantly clear: he needs an impressive win to kickstart his hopes of a second title shot. Sean Strickland vs Abusupiyan Magomedov is set to go down in two week and the winner will likely be outside the top five. Either matchup would make for an exciting bout against ‘The Italian Dream’ later this year.

(#8) Arman Tsarukyan (20-3) – UFC lightweight contender

He may have faced more adversity than what was expected of him, but Arman Tsarukyan was able to pick up his seventh win inside the Octagon on Saturday. At only 26 years old, I still feel like the Georgian has plenty of potential to become a UFC titlist. Tsarukyan has made it no secret that he finds it difficult to find fights, but in an ideal scenario, I’d like to see him take on Beneil Dariush. Not only would it provide a grappler’s delight matchup, but it would serve as a serious litmus test of Tsarukyan’s abilities to compete at the highest level. Given that Dariush is coming off a loss to Charles Oliveira and will likely need a win to earn anothet top five fight, it makes perfect sense to throw him in with ‘Akhalkalakets’.

Joaquim Silva (12-4) – UFC lightweight contender

Not much was expected of Joaquim Silva as a short notice replacement, but his stock has only gone up after his bout with Tsarukyan. With that being said, it can’t be ignored that the Brazilian is 1-3 in his last four bouts. He’s not exactly going to be getting another top fifteen opponent on the merit of Saturday night’s performance. Chase Hooper recently made a successful move to 155lbs and I think a fight with him and Silva is a logical next step for both men. I’ll never turn down a scrap between two jiu-jitsu black belts vying for a spot in the rankings.

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Do you agree with these choices? Let us know in the comments below!