What is Next for the Main Card of UFC 277: Nunes vs Pena
#4 LHW Magomed Ankalaev vs #5 LHW Anthony Smith
For Magomed Ankalaev and Anthony Smith to prove they are worthy of receiving a UFC light heavyweight title shot over the rumored Glover Texiera, an impressive performance was needed in this fight.
Entering round one Magomed Ankalaev versus Anthony Smith was a slow and strategically paced round with neither guy showcasing a clear advantage. At the end of the first round, Anthony Smith mentioned discomfort in his ankle, which in the second would lead to an apparent leg injury causing a buckle and Magomed to land heavy ground strikes forcing the referee to end the fight.
What is Next?
Magomed Ankalaev: With this TKO victory, Magomed Ankalaev may receive the next title shot against Jiri however this win is not too impressive or dominant fashion. Ideally, the fight next to make for Ankalaev should be against Jan Blachowicz
Anthony Smith: After Dana White mentioned post-fight Anthony did not have a leg injury, on Tuesday night after Dana White’s Contender Series event. Dana retracted his statement saying medical officials did find an injury in Smith’s leg that would need surgery. So with a long layoff expected Anthony Smith’s 2022 may be done but once he is healthy in 2023 fights against Dominic Reyes, Dustin Jacoby, or an up-incoming light heavyweight in the future makes sense.
#4 FlyW Alexandre Pantoja vs #6 FlyW Alex Perez
For the right to potentially be a potential number one contender for the UFC flyweight title, Alexandre Pantoja versus Alex Perez was a quick fight that saw both come out with a high pace and relentless striking. It ended in an instance when Alexandre found the back of Perez and secured a rear naked choke for the first-round victory.
What is Next?
Alexandre Pantoja: After gaining this statement win, Alexandre called for a shot at the flyweight title. However after Brandon Moreno’s TKO victory and Deiveson Figueiredo walking into the octagon to set up the rematch. It eventually became clear that Alexandre would not be next for the title. Overall, Alexandre should become a backup for the Moreno versus Figueiredo or fight Kai Kara-France, or secure a rematch against Askar Askarov.
Alex Perez: Now on a two-fight losing streak and multiple fight cancellations, Alex Perez's next fight should be against Matheus Nicolau, Matt Schnell, Muhammad Mukaev, or at bantamweight.
#5 HW Derrick Lewis vs #11 HW Sergei Pavlovich
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Back in Texas for a third consecutive UFC pay-per-view, Derrick Lewis had a chance at redemption after being previously TKO’d by Tai Tuivasa at UFC 271. However, this time his opponent was the rising heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich a known striker in the division. Early on the fight started as predicted on the feet but it wasn’t till Pavlovich landed a clean hook that wobbled the black beast. Ultimately dropping him late in the first forcing referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the fight which some audiences called an “early stoppage”.
What is Next?
Derrick Lewis: Now a back-to-back TKO losing streak and a third consecutive loss in Texas. It is now known that Derrick Lewis should not fight in Texas. Now with a shot at the heavyweight title becoming further away, future opponents to get Lewis back on track include Jairzinho Rozenstruik or the winner of Marcin Tybura versus Alexandr Romanov.
Sergei Pavlovich: After finishing the athlete with the most knockouts in UFC history, Sergei Pavlovich earned this victory and an opportunity in the top 5 of the UFC heavyweight division. Fights for him next include Chris Daukaus, Alexander Volkov, or the winner of Marcin Tybura versus Alexandr Romanov.
#1 FlyW Brandon Moreno vs #2 FlyW Kai Kara-France
In a rematch years in the making, Brandon Moreno versus Kai Kara-France two further showcased why the flyweight division warranted a stay in the UFC. As Moreno and Kara-France produced another classic back-and-forth contest.
In the first round, Kara-France tried to establish leg kicks to the lead leg of Brandon which he noticed and avoided. Ending the first as a feel-out round more or less. In the second, audiences were treated to much of the same but Brandon was able to find his timing and land some kicks to the head, body, and leg of Kara-France. In the third Brandon looked to competitively cruise to a round three victory however in a blink of an eye he ended up in guard and began to get lit up by Kai with heavy ground strikes that cut open the bottom of Brandon’s right eye. Fast forward to late in the third after a quick striking exchange that saw Moreno land a spinning back fist. Kai circled away to the center the octagon causing Brandon to throw a hard kick to the liver of Kara-France forcing him to drop and Herb Dean to stop the fight due to multiple unanswered ground strikes. Crowing Brandon Moreno the new interim UFC flyweight champion.
What is Next?
Brandon Moreno: Once Brandon Moreno won the interim title, it became clear that the fourth match against Deiveson Figueiredo was going to occur in either late December or early 2023.
Kai Kara-France: Although Kai lost the fight, he did keep it fairly competitive up to the finish by pressuring Moreno, landing leg kicks, and leaving him with a battle scar. His next fight should be against Alexandre Pantoja or a rematch versus Brandon Royval.
C WBW Julianna Pena vs #1 WBW Amanda Nunes
Built up to be one of the greatest rematches in women’s MMA history, Julianna Pena versus Amanda Nunes was ultimately a one-sided rematch with Nunes landing powerful strikes, three knockdowns in the second round, and maintaining top control. For Julianna Pena, although her performance wasn’t the greatest she showcased her toughness and was close to submitting Amanda in a couple of ground exchanges. In the end, Amanda proved she is the true women’s bantamweight champion and is still one of the best fighters in UFC history.
What is Next?
Julianna Pena: After losing her belt, I would expect Julianna to rest and vouch for the trilogy to occur in 2023 as they are 1-1.
Amanda Nunes: Winning in a dominant fashion, Amanda possibly proved that a third fight may not be needed against Julianna. Ultimately the trilogy is the fight to make but if the UFC does not create the rematch, a fight against Ketlen Vieira makes sense next.
Thumbnail and most photos by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
