Matches To Make After UFC Fight Island 7

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to action in a big way yesterday (Sat., Jan. 16, 2021) with UFC Fight Island 7, which provided combat fans with an exciting night of fights on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In the headlining act, Max Holloway put on a tremendous performance against Calvin Kattar to earn a lopsided unanimous decision win (see it again here). In the co-main event, Carlos Condit defeated Matt Brown in another entertaining bout.

Winner: Max Holloway

Who He Should Face Next: Zabit Magomedsharipov

I know people wants to see “Blessed” fight for the title again, but as great as his big win over Kattar was, I’d love to see him face Zabit next. Magomedsharipov was in line to face Yair Rodriguez on a few occasions but injuries (and other issues) cancelled those bouts. “Zabeast” is currently ranked No. 3 and is on an amazing 13-fight win streak and has won 18 of 19 in his career. He is also undefeated inside the Octagon at 6-0. That’s too good of a record to not get a title eliminator fight at the very least. Like Holloway, all Magomedsharipov knows is to push forward, so a fight between these two men would be fireworks. Furthermore, Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega aren’t scheduled to fight until the end of March, which means Holloway is likely looking at a summer return if he opts to wait for a title shot.

Winner: Carlos Condit

Who He Should Face Next: Robbie Lawler rematch

Don’t look now, but Condit has won two in a row after suffering a brutal five-fight losing streak. Still, “The Natural Born Killer” has a long way to go before he gets a spot on the rankings. Call me crazy, but I would love to see Condit run it back with Robbie Lawler. The two men initially threw down at UFC 195 four years ago, with “Ruthless” taking home a razor-thin split decision win, along with his Welterweight title. Of course, those championship fight days are far behind both men, especially for Robbie, who has lost four in a row. But given how close their initial encounter was, I’d be happy to see them throw down one more time.

Winner: Li Jingliang

Who He Should Fight Next: Muslim Salikhov

Jingliang stepped in for Salikhov after was forced out of his scheduled bout against Ponzinibbio, so why not have “The Leech” face off against him next? Salikhov is on a four-fight win streak and has won 15 of his last 16 fights. It would be a great matchup of streaking and consistent fighters who are both trying hard to make a move into the Top 15 at 170 pounds.

Winner: Alessio Di Chirico

Who He Should Fight Next: Darren Stewart

Di Chirico picked up a huge and much-needed after knocking out Joaquin Buckley in the very first round. And not only did it earn him his first-ever UFC post-fight bonus award, it stopped the bleeding of a three-fight losing streak. A fight against Stewart seems appealing because it will put together two fighters who haven’t had the best run as of late against one another. “The Dentist” is coming off a loss to Kevin Holland, his second loss in last three fights.

Winner: Punahele Soriano

Who He should Fight Next: Deron Winn

Soriano continued the build on his momentum by winning his eighth straight fight to remain undefeated (8-0, 2-0 UFC). With back-to-back knockout victories on his resume, Soriano is looking for more after a year-long break, and a fight against Winn sounds like a great fight to make. Winn recently got back in the win column by defeating Antonio Arroyo last month. He hasn’t had the success many expected of him, going just 2-2 inside the Octagon so far. Soriano will definitely test him again, an vice versa, so UFC matchmakers would be missing on a great and competitive matchup if they don’t book this.

For more UFC Fight Island 7 results and coverage click here.