(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Kamaru Usman and UFC 251’s winning fighters?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the losing fighters will be matched up with next.
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 251’s most notable fighters.
Those fighters include Jorge Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) who fell short of the welterweight title in a unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) in the main event at Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, as well as former champs Max Holloway (21-6 MMA, 17-6 UFC), Jose Aldo (28-7 MMA, 10-6 UFC) and Jessica Andrade (20-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC), and, lastly, Paige VanZant (8-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC).
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Paige VanZant
Should fight: No one in the UFC
Why:The writing has been on the wall for some time regarding VanZant’s UFC departure and it now seems imminent after finishing her contract on a quick submission loss to Amanda Ribas.
If VanZant had put on a performance that that was more competitive, perhaps the UFC would give her the money she clearly wants. It didn’t happen, though, and the long-lasting rumor has been that she’ll join her husband Austin Vanderford on the Bellator roster. Given that promotion’s ability to be more flexible with matchmaking, that seems like a better fit for VanZant at this point, anyway.
Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Jorge Masvidal and UFC 251's other losing fighters?