Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 13

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) staged UFC Vegas 13 last night (Sat., Nov. 7, 2020) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring a Light Heavyweight bout that produced a great battle between Glover Teixeira and Thiago Santos. In the end, “Hands of Stone” submitted “Marreta” in the third round (see it again here). Also, in the co-main event of the evening Andrei Arlovski earned his second straight win after taking out Tanner Boser in Heavyweight action.

Winner: Glover Teixeira

Who He Should Fight Next: Title fight…but against who?

This is the problem I have with the promotion booking title fights between separate division champions. I’m all for it, but in cases like this — when it’s really not warranted — it really makes things messy. Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been pegged to face 205-pound champion, Jan Blachowicz, likely in March of 2021. Since we are barely in November, the true No. 1 contender — Teixeira — will likely have to wait seven or eight months for his shot. He can always take another fight in the interim, but of course that risk of losing his spot is always there. If he does choose to take another bout, then perhaps he can face the winner of the upcoming bout between Dominick Reyes and Jiri Prochazka. Then again, that fight won’t go down until February. The great thing is that Blachowizc is ready to face Teixeira in case the fight doesn’t come to fruition.

Winner: Andrei Arlovski

Who He Should Face Next: Junior dos Santos

I may sound like a broken record, but I have been screaming for the fight for some time now. Sure, “JDS” is on a three-fight win streak while “The Pitbull” has won two in a row, but this fight has to be made at some point. While Arlovski has won three out of his last four, “Cigano” is still hanging on to the No. 7 spot on the rankings, while Arlovski is not even in the Top 15. Just make this fight already, because neither man is all that close to a title shot anyway, and it’s guaranteed to be an all-out striking affair between two of UFC’s former champions.

Winner: Raoni Barcelos

Who He Should Face Next: Merab Dvalshvili

After putting on a “Fight of the Night” performance with Khalid Taha, Barcelos vs Dvalshivili seems like a good fight to make. Dvalishvili is in need of a dance partner for an upcoming event on December 5 after Cody Stamman was forced to bow out, and if Raoni wants a quick turnaround, he seems like a good fit. Yes, Dvalishvili is currently ranked No. 13 while Barcelos is on the outside looking in, but this could be a very good possibility given the circumstances. Furthermore, this fight has fireworks written all over it.

Winner: Giga Chikadze

Who He Should Face Next: Jeremy Stephens

Chikadze won his sixth straight fight — fourth inside the Octagon — after stopping UFC newcomer Jamey Simmons in the very first round via devastating head kick. Up next for Chikadze, I’d love to see a showdown against Stephens. They have similar styles and Giga is ready for a step up in competition and “Lil Heathen” fits the bill. I can see these two talented strikers co-headlining a bout in the near future after “Giga Chad” called him out after his big win.

Winner: Yan Xiaonan

Who She Should Face Next: Carla Esparza

There is a new player in the women’s Strawweight division, as Xiaonan picked up a huge win over former title contender, Claudia Gadelha, defeating her via unanimous decision. She is now 6-0 inside the Octagon and continues her decade-long unbeaten streak, losing last way back in 2010. After taking out the No. 4 ranked fighter in the division, it only makes sense for Yan to look forward, and the next person in line is the No. 3 ranked women’s Strawweight contender, Carla Esparza. “Cookie Monster” is on a four-fight win streak and was set to return at UFC 256 against Amanda Ribas but pulled out for unknown reasons. With Ribas now set up to face Michelle Waterson, I wouldn’t mind see Esparza and Xionan hook em’ up next in a fight that could catapult the victor into a No. 1 contender’s fight.

For complete UFC Vegas 13 results and coverage click here.