Is Pereira vs. Ankalaev The Fight To Make?

UFC Vegas 84 went down last night (Sat., Jan 13, 2024) inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada featuring a Light Heavyweight bout that saw Magomed Ankalaev score a vicious knockout victory over Johnny Walker (see it here). In the co-main event, Jim Miller continued his winning ways by submitting Gabriel Benitez in the third and final round (highlights).

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Winner: Magomed Ankalaev

Who He Should Fight Next: Alex Pereira title fight

This championship fight makes all the sense in the world for the sheer timing of it all. Jamahal Hill isn’t expected to return until summer 2024, while Jiri Prochazka and Aleksandar Rakic are set to collide at UFC 300 this April. That leaves Ankalaev as one of two Top 5 fighters without an opponent, the other being Jan Blachowicz who is recuperating from a shoulder injury and is coming off a loss to Pereira. While Pereira vs Anakalev doesn’t seem like a “sexy” fight that will draw eyeballs and sell pay-per-views (PPV), it’s a good one to book for UFC 300.

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Winner: Jim Miller

Who He Should Face Next: Paul Felder, Matt Brown… Bobby Green?

Don’t look now, but Miller is making a nice run in the crowded Lightweight division. Indeed, UFC’s iron man has won five of six fights and, in all honesty, should be good enough to put him in the Top 15. After his win, he called for showdowns against Paul Felder and Matt Brown, which means he would have to move up to Welterweight unless they would be willing to drop down to 155 pounds. I mean, at this point in his career it’s cool to give Miller what he wants, as long as long as his callouts are willing to do it. In a more realistic showdown, I would love to see Miller take on Green next. “King” is currently ranked No. 14 and is coming off a tough knockout loss at the hands of Jalin Turner. Miller is on a nice run, but I would like to see him get a win over a ranked fighter, even if he is coming off a loss. That would ensure he gets a spot in the Top 15 with a win. Furthermore, this fight should take place at UFC 300. But if UFC is willing to give Miller Felder or Brown, why not?

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Winner: Mario Bautista

Who Should Face Next: Chris Gutierrez

Bautista continued his hot streak by picking up his sixth straight win after defeating Ricky Simon via unanimous decision. there is no telling if it will be good enough to put him in the Top 15, but if he gets matchup and defeats someone like Chris Gutierrez, it could do the trick. Gutierrez is currently ranked No. 15, but he is coming off a tough loss at the hands of Song yadong just last month, bringing him to just 1-2 over his last three fights.

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Winner: Brunno Ferreira

Who He Should Face Next: Andre Muniz

Ferreira got back to his winning ways by scoring an emphatic knockout win over Phil Hawes with just five seconds remaining in the first round, bouncing back nicely after suffering his first-ever loss. A fight against Muniz makes sense next. “Sergipano” is coming off a win over Jun Yong Park, snapping his two-fight losing streak.

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Winner: Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Who He Should Face Next: Rodrigo Nascimento

Cortes-Acosta has gotten off to a mighty-fine start to his UFC career, amassing a 4-1 mark, including a big win over former UFC Heavyweight champion and longtime veteran, Andrei Arlovski. Up next, a big man showdown against fellow heavy hitter, Rodrigo Nascimento, seems like a good fit. Nascimento has an identical 11-1 record like Cortes-Acosta, and is currently on a three-fight win streak, and is 4-1-1 overall inside the Octagon.

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For complete UFC Vegas 84 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.