(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Corey Anderson after UFC on ESPN+ 25 loss?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.
And with another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC on ESPN+ 25’s most noteworthy winning fighters.
Those winners include Jan Blachowicz (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC), who scored a first-round knockout of Corey Anderson (13-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in the light heavyweight headliner at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., as well as Diego Sanchez (30-12 MMA, 19-12 UFC), John Dodson (21-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) and Macy Chiasson (6-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC).
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Macy Chiasson
NIcco Montano
Should fight: Nicco Montano
Why they should fight: Chiasson rebounded from her first career loss with a strong performance in a unanimous decision win over a durable late replacement opponent in Shanna Young.
The previous fight marked a setback for Chiasson, as not many expected the upset loss to Lina Lansberg. That outcome didn’t make her gun-shy going into the next fight, though, because she left it all out there against Young.
Chiasson was originally scheduled to fight Montano (4-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on the card, but the former UFC champ withdrew less than a week out due to an undisclosed injury. Chiasson said following her win that she would like to reschedule that matchup so her previous efforts don’t go to waste, and so long as whatever Montano isn’t dealing with anything too serious, it makes sense to grant that request.
John Dodson
Rob Font
Should fight: Rob Font
Why they should fight: In a critical career moment, Dodson came through big. After struggling through two rounds to Nathaniel Wood, “The Ultimate Fighter 14” winner found the chin of his opponent in the third round for the TKO.
Dodson came into the matchup with a surging prospect in Wood on a two-fight skid. He took 11 months off coming into the fight, and needed to prove he still belongs into the conversation of the top names in the bantamweight division.
He certainly did that with the finish of Wood, and now “The Magician” has put himself back in position for a noteworthy matchup. Font (17-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is not the biggest name at 135 pounds, but with five wins in his past seven fights, has built enough stock in the division to be worthy of an important fight. Dodson would represent that for him.
Diego Sanchez
Demian Maia
Should fight: Loser of Demian Maia vs. Gilbert Burns at UFC on ESPN+ 28
Why they should fight: Of his now 19 UFC victories, Sanchez’s win over Michel Pereira was arguably the most bizarre as he was awarded the disqualification after being hit with a damaging illegal knee strike from his Brazilian foe.
Sanchez was losing in a big way up until the fight-ending blow landed in the third round. He was outsized and overpowered by Pereira, but nevertheless it’s technically a win on his resume, and there’s no doubt “The Ultimate Fighter 1” winner will be looking to return to action once he recovers.
Whenever that time comes, a showdown with the loser of the March 14 fight between Maia (28-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) and Burns (17-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) would be a logical booking, especially if it’s Maia. Sanchez has been calling for that matchup for a long time, and Maia has expressed interest, too. They are both among the all-time UFC leaders in fights and wins, and it’s a matchup that would seem fitting before one or both of them hang up the gloves. Should Burns come out on the short end for this scenario, it would be an entertaining fight with Sanchez, too.
Jan Blachowicz
Jon Jones
Should fight: Jon Jones
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Blachowicz should challenge Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) for the light heavyweight title next.
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