Matches To Make After UFC 248

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Winner: Israel Adesanya

Who He Should Fight Next: Paulo Costa

This is the title fight that should have been made last night had “Borrachinha” not suffered an injury. But Dana White has already confirmed that Costa will get to try and dethrone Adesanya next. The lead-up is going to be nuts, as both men have actual disdain toward one another. As for the fight itself, well, I’m sure it won’t take much to top last night’s offering. I firmly expect this fight to go down sooner, rather than later. Assuming Costa is cleared to return…by a real doctor this time.

Winner: Weili Zhang

Who She Should Fight Next: Marina Rodriguez or Andrade vs Namajunas winner

For Weili’s next fight, we are going to have to take a wait and see approach. Former title contenders Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade are set to throw down at UFC 249 next month, so that fight could have major title fight implications. It would be a hard sell to book Andrade vs. Zhang again after Weili knocked out “Bate Estaca” not too long ago in under a minute. But if Namajunas wins, I can see the promotion giving her the championship bout next. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is undefeated at 12-0-2, suffering two draws in her Octagon career. But if she can defeat Claudia Gadelha on May 2, she can make huge strides in the rankings and sneak her way into a title fight.

Winner: Neil Magny

Who He Should Fight Next: Gilbert Burns

Neil called for a showdown against “Maverick” after his big win over Li Jingliang. But I just don’t think that fight makes much sense for Chiesa. “Maverick” is 3-0 since moving up to welterweight with wins over Rafael dos Anjos, Diego Sanchez and Carlos Condit, so to take a high risk, low reward bout against Magny doesn’t make sense. Do I want to see it? Yes! But Chiesa (No. 7) has bigger aspirations for his next fight in Colby Covington, though I don’t think that will happen either. A fight against Burns makes more sense for Magny at the moment, as the Brazilian bomber is ranked No. 12 and on a four-fight win streak.

Winner: Beneil Dariush

Who He Should Fight Next: Gregor Gillespie

Don’t look now, but Dariush has won four straight after knocking out Drakkar Klose in spectacular fashion last night in “Sin City.” I Iike a fight between he and Gregor Gillespie next. Gregor suffered the first loss of his career at UFC 244 after getting knocked out by Kevin Lee, so he needs a nice victory to get back on track. For Dariush, handing Gillespie his second straight loss would be huge for his own goals, which is to crack the top 10 and inch himself closer to a title fight.

Winner: Alex Oliveira

Who He Should Fight Next: James Vick

Oliveira broke his three-fight skid at UFC 248 by outscoring Max Griffin, while Vick suffered his fourth straight loss against Niko Price last October. So a fight between these two struggling combatants makes sense. While Alex is back in the winner’s circle, he isn’t in any position to be demanding fights or turning down offers. Both men are simply trying to erase their woes and pick up some momentum wherever they can get it.

For complete UFC 248: “Adesanya vs. Romero” results and play-by-play, click HERE!