Matches To Make After UFC Vegas 40

UFC Vegas 40 went down last night (Sat., Oct. 16, 2021) live from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the headlining act, Norma Dumont defeated Aspen Ladd via unanimous decision (see it again here). In the co-main event, Andrei Arlovski locked up his second straight win after he defeated Carlos Felipe in a heavyweight affair.

Winner: Norma Dumont

Who She Should Face Next: Holly Holm

Dumont and Holm were initially set to headline this event. But after “The Preacher’s Daughter” bowed out due to injury, Ladd stepped in to take the fight. Depending on when Holm is able to return to action I would still like to see her take on Dumont. The Brazilian standout’s star got a bit brighter after pitching a shutout against Ladd and there aren’t a ton of contenders knocking on the door for a shot at the featherweight title. So if Dumont can defeat Holm she should get the next shot against the winner of Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena.

Winner: Andrei Arlovski

Who He Should Face Next: Serghei Spivak

Don’t go counting out Arlovski just yet because the longtime veteran has won two in a row and four of five overall. He picked up his latest win over Carlos Felipe. In my opinion, this win should be good enough to put Arlovski in the Top 15. If it doesn’t then a fight — and subsequent win — against Spivak should get the job done. That’s because Spivak is currently ranked at No. 14 and has won three of his last four fights inside the Octagon.

Winner: Jim Miller

Who He Should Fight Next: Donald Cerrone rematch

There aren’t many people Miiler hasn’t faced inside the Octagon. After all, he’s only competed a record 38 times for the promotion. After stealing the show last night in Las Vegas with a knockout win over Erick Gonzalez (see it here), Miller got a new lease on his combat life be breaking his two fight skid. That said, why not book a rematch between him and Cerrone? They are the two longest tenured fighters currently under contract with UFC, so let the two longtime veterans bang it out one ore time. Cerrone defeated Miller seven years ago, so I’m sure it’s a fight Miller would love to get back.

Winner: Manon Fiorot

Who She Should Fight Next: Luana Carolina

Fiorot picked up her eighth straight win — third inside the Octagon — after defeating Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision. Carolina, meanwhile, also picked up a huge win after she defeated Lupita Godinez on the undercard. Carolina also has three wins under the UFC banner, so the experience level is pretty even between the two surging flyweight contenders. Plus, their turnaround times should line up, as well. Book it.

Winner: Nate Landwehr

Who He Should Fight Next: Damon Jackson

Landweher picked up his second win inside the Octagon after defeating Ľudovít Klein via submission (anaconda choke). I am feeling a fight between him and Damon Jackson next due to the fact that they are both relative newcomers to the promotion with three fights under their belts. Jackson is coming off a huge win over Charles Rosa at UFC Vegas 39. And since that fight occurred just last week, he and Landwehr could be returning around the same time. It’s a nice matchup between two rising prospects scratching their way up the 125-pound ladder.

For complete UFC Vegas 40 results and coverage click here.