Matches To Make After UFC 302

UFC 302 blew the roof off Prudential Center last night (Sat., June 1, 2024) in Newark, New Jersey, which saw Islam Makhachev retain his Lightweight title by submitting Dustin Poirier in the fifth and final round (highlights). In the co-main event, Sean Strickland defeated Paulo Costa via split decision (recap here).

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Winner: Islam Makhachev

Who He Should Face Next: Arman Tsarukyan

Now that Makhachev has his first title defense against a true 155-pound fighter, he already knows who he will be facing next because Tsarukyan solidified his status as the true No. 1 contender by defeating ex-title holder, Charles Oliveira, at UFC 300. Tsarukyan is 9-1 over his last 10 fights, and one of his two defeats under the UFC banner is against Makhachev in what was the Armenian’s promotional debut five years ago. This is a rematch Tsarukyan has been wanting for some time, now it will be for all the marbles. Makhachev did call for a Welterweight title fight, but it’s far too soon, in my opinion, for him to be jumping to attempt to become two-division champion.

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Winner: Sean Strickland

Who He Should Face Next: …title shot?

Strickland called for a title fight after defeating Costa, but that performance is not going to cut it because at the end of the day, not all wins are created equal. Strickland is in an odd position because he is ranked No. 1 in the division, but the next title fight will likely go to the winner of the upcoming fight between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. That said, Strickland could be playing the waiting game to see what happens between Driccus Du Plessis vs. Whittaker/Costa, which means he will be sitting out for a bit. And he’s just fine with that.

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Winner: Kevin Holland

Who He Should Face Next: Diaz vs. Luque winner

Holland snapped his two-fight losing streak by snapping Michał Oleksiejczuk’s arm, giving him some much-needed breathing room. As far as what is next for “Trailblazer,” that is very hard to predict because he moves up and down so much from Welterweight to Middleweight. That said, Holland recently revealed recently that he was offered a fight against Nick Diaz in Abu Dhabi, who was then paired up against Vicente Luque. Holland is adamant he can smoke Diaz, so let’s see if he can back it up, which he probably can at this point in the Stockton slugger’s career. If Diaz loses against Luque, well then Holland can face him in a fresh matchup.

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Winner: Niko Price

Who He Should Face Next: Jeremiah Wells

Price secured a much-needed win by defeating Alex Morono via unanimous decision, his first victory since Oct. 2021. Price was initially slated to face Wells at this event before the bout was scrapped as a result of an injury. Wells is currently on a two-fight skid, and Price’s win wasn’t exactly awe-inspiring, so let’s re-book this fight to see what’s what.

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Winner: Randy Brown

Who He Should Face Next: Geoff Neal

Brown called for the fight after his impressive win over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, and it’s not a bad one to make. Brown is 7-1 and is on a current three fight win streak, making a case for a spot in the rankings. As for Neal. he has seen better days, losing two straight. While I am not a big fan of a streaking fighter facing someone on a slump, Neal is currently ranked No. 10, so that could be a little justification.

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