Matches To Make After UFC 300!

UFC 300 went down last night (Sat., April 13, 2024) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring a Light Heavyweight title fight that saw Alex Pereira stop Jamahal Hill via first-round knockout to retain his title (see it again here). In the co-main event, Zhang Weili retained her women’s Strawweight title after defeating a very durable Yan Xiaonan after 25 minutes of hard-fought action. In the third championship bout, Max Holloway earned one of the best knockouts in the history of the sport, sleeping Justin Gaethje with one second remaining in their “BMF” title fight (highlights).

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Winner: Alex Pereira

Who He Should Face Next: Magomed Ankalaev

While Pereira has his sights on a Heavyweight fight, it won’t be happening anytime soon. What is more likely is another Light Heavyweight title defense, this time against Ankalaev, who is coming off a knockout win over Johnny Walker earlier this year. Jiri Prochazka made a case for another championship bout by disposing of Aleksandar Rakic (see it here), but “Poatan” has gone on record to say he is feeling a title fight against Ankalaev, instead.

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Winner: Zhang Weili

Who She Should Face Next: Tatiana Suarez

Let’s just make this one happen already. Suarez (No. 2) was supposed to face Amanda Lemos (No. 3) earlier this year but withdrew from the UFC 298 fight with an injury. Still, the wrestling standout is undefeated at 10-0, and if she’s healthy enough to fight this summer, let’s make this fight happen. After all, there isn’t anyone else in the Top 5 that has proven to deserve it over her.

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Winner: Max Holloway

Who He Should Face Next: Ilia Topuria title shot

Sorry, Movsar Evloev (or Alexander Volkanovski), but Holloway pretty much stole your title shot after delivering one of the best knockouts ever to become the latest “BMF” champion. Even if Topuria shows resistance to give “Blessed” the chance, the powers that be at UFC will do everything in their power to make it happen. But it seems that may not be necessary. Holloway is currently ranked No. 2 in the division and improves to 5-1 over his last six fights. He has more than earned his shot, but this $600,000-winning performance just sealed it.

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Winner: Arman Tsarukyan

Who He Should Face Next: Makhachev vs. Poirier winner

Tsarukyan more than earned his shot at a Lightweight title fight by putting on an excellent performance against former 155-pound champion, Charles Oliveira, defeating him via split-decision. In the process, he secures his fourth straight win inside the Octagon, and is now 10-1 in his last 11 bouts. Tsarukyan faced Makhachev in his UFC debut five years ago, but he has improved leaps and bounds since then (so has Makhachev). But Tsarukyan will have to wait to see if he gets his chance at revenge because Dustin Poirier has been booked to challenge him for the title at the upcoming UFC 302 pay-per-view (PPV) event on June 1. Whichever way the ball bounces, Tsarukyan will be playing in the championship game his next time out.

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Winner: Bo Nickal

Who He Should Face Next: Dolidze vs. Hernandez winner

Nickal picked up his sixth straight win, third inside the Octagon by submitting Cody Brundage via rear-naked choke in round two of their Middleweight fight. It was the first time the wrestling phenom has gone past the first round, which is perhaps why he booed himself after the win. But Nickal is only getting better with each fight, and his opponents will only get tougher as time goes by, too. Up next for Nickal, like my colleague so eloquently put it in this post, it’s time for him to step up in competition, and his suggestion to face the winner of Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez, who collide at UFC 302, is a great suggestion. Unless, you have a better idea?

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For complete UFC 300 results and LIVE play-by play click HERE.