Matches To Make After UFC On ESPN 7!

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was back at it again last night (Sat., Dec. 7, 2019) as UFC on ESPN 7 went down from inside inside Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. In the headlining act, Jairzinho Rozenstruik scored a memorable come-from-behind knockout finish over Alistair Overeem in the final seconds of the fight (see it again here). In the co-main event, Cynthia Calvillo and Marina Rodriguez fought to split draw after 15 minutes of action.

Winner: Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Who He Should Face Next: Francis Ngannou

I’m sure UFC matchmakers love when a fighter calls someone out, and then the combatant who was challenged takes him or her up on the offer. That’s just what happened when Jairzinho called out Ngannou after his come-from-behind win over Alistair Overeem. And it sort of makes sense. Granted, not from the rankings perspective, as “The Predator” is ranked No. 2 and Rozenstruik is way down at No. 14, but other than Alexander Volkov, no one else makes sense for Francis at the moment. He would love, I’m sure, a title shot, but there is no telling when Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will run it back, so “The Predator” wants to stay busy and get paid. These two big men have some of the heaviest hands in the sport, so it should make for an all-out and entertaining slobber-knocker.

Winner: Ben Rothwell

Who He Should Fight Next: Marcin Tybura

Rothwell got a much-needed win, but it wasn’t pretty by any means thanks to a couple of low blows on Stefan Struve. Nevertheless, “Big Ben” got back into the win column after three-straight losses. A fight against Marcin Tybura — who has had his own struggles as of late — seems like a good matchup. Indeed. Marcin has lost two straight both via knockout. Neither fighter is ranked, so there’s not a whole lot of big names available for either heavyweight.

Winner: Aspen Ladd

Who She Should Fight Next: Holly Holm vs Raquel Pennington winner

Ladd bounced back in a big way after suffering the first loss of her pro MMA career by knocking out Yana Kunitskaya in the opening seconds of Round 3 following a passionate speech by her coach (see it again here). I’d like to see Ladd face the winner of the upcoming bout between Holm and Pennington, set to go down at UFC 246 on Jan. 18, 2020. Holm and Ladd were set to face off last year before the promotion pulled the plug. If Pennington can get revenge on Holly, then she should go up a few spots in the women’s bamtamweight rankings, making her an attractive challenge for Ladd.

Winner: Rob Font

Who He Should Fight Next: Cody Garbrandt

Font has won two straight at 135 pounds over Sergio Pettis and Ricky Simon, who he defeated last night via unanimous decision. Ranked No. 10, Font is slowly making his move in the division, which all of a sudden is a bit more stacked. Up next, I’d like see the promotion book Font against former division king, Cody Garbrandt.

“No Love” has lost three in a row, yet still remains one of the biggest draws at 135 pounds. If Font can score this bout and the win, as well, he could be in line for bigger and better things come this time next year.

For complete UFC on ESPN 7 results and coverage click here.