What is Next for the Main Card of UFC 270
After months without a UFC PPV, 270 lived up to the hype with highlight finishes and spectacular performances. Combined with the atmosphere of the Anaheim crowd and a sold out Honda Center. UFC 270 started 2022 on a high note.
So what is next for the main card of UFC 270?
Michael Morales vs tREVIN gILES
In a welterweight battle between UFC debuting Michael Morales and Trevin Giles. This fight ended with a spectacular finish to start the main card after Morales caught an over-extending Giles with a right hook then followed up with a uppercut to end the fight. This bout showcased the potential of Morales and the downfall of a experienced Giles.
What is next?
Michael Morales: After a strong debut, Morales stock can only rise from here and to further his success his next fights would have to be against another an experienced fighter or another welterweight prospect. Some fights include Ramiz Brahimaj, Matt Semelsberger, and Benoit Saint-Denis.
Trevin Giles: Now on a back-to-back KO loss streak, Giles will have to re-evaluate his career considering he is now 5-4 in the UFC. So to get back on track his next fights would have to be against another prospect or fighter on a losing streak also. Matchups I that would bring the best out of Giles would be a Donald Cerrone, Warlley Alves, or Gabriel Green.
cODY Stamann vs Said Nurmagomedov
Following a KO performance by Morales, rising bantamweight prospect Said Nurmagomedov (not related to Khabib) got a clean and easy guillotine choke on Cody Stamann. Going into the matchup people questioned Said’s wrestling however in this matchup. He reversed positions and even got a near trip on Stamann which he would then turn into a standing guillotine. So it is safe to say Said is a prospect worth watching.
What is next?
Cody Stamann: Following this loss, Stamann is now on a three fight losing streak and a standing UFC record of 5-4-1. Stamann’s future with the UFC maybe in jeopardy but considering he is still a great fighter. There will still be matchups for him in or out of the company. For the time being, matchups that would makes sense include Casey Kenny, Rani Yahya, or Vince Morales.
Said Nurmagomedov: With a clean submission win, Said is in line for a quick turnaround and has potential to be a ranked contender. However with a promising win comes tougher competition. Matchups that would elevate his stock would be against a Marlon Vera (mentioned in his post fight press conference), Chris Gutierrez, Nathan Maness, or Rani Yahya.
Michel Pereira vs Andre Fialho
In a unusual yet exhilarating fight, Michel Pereira came into this fight guns and blazing showcasing his technical striking. Fialho did stand his ground by landing shots of his own but ultimately it was Pereira’s night.
What is next?
Michel Pereira: I would like to see a step up in competition for Pereira. Not that he hasn’t been fought anybody noteworthy but when comparing competition and what Pereira potential can be. Higher ranked opponents is the route the UFC and Michel should look for. Opponents that would garner this thought would include Muslim Salikhov, Daniel Rodriguez, Santiago Ponzinibbio or even Li Jingliang.
Andre Fialho: Even though he lost his UFC debut, Andre Fialho showcased his toughness and caught Pereira at times with his forward pressure. Future matchups that the UFC can matchmake are Takashi Soto, Mounir Lazzez, or Dwight Grant.
Brandon Moreno vs (C) Deiveson Figueiredo
In another all-time fight, Brandon Moreno versus Deiveson Figueiredo once again live up to the hype and stole the show. Although I had Moreno winning the fight based on his striking and takedown defense. I can’t deny that Figueiredo was the rightful winner considering he knocked down Moreno twice and landed multiple kicks to this opponents calf.
What is next?
Brandon Moreno: After losing in front of a pro Moreno crowd in Anaheim. You can say Moreno couldn’t live up to the moment. But when looking at the fight overall, he had his highs and lows as Figueiredo that night was the better fighter. A fourth fight would make sense since they both have a win and have drawn but since he is not the champion. The UFC and Deiveson Figueiredo have the last say in who the next contender will be.
Deiveson Figueiredo: In an excellent performance, Deiveson Figueiredo created and executed a perfect game plan. Through his knockdowns late in the third and fifth round as well as the leg kicks. Figueiredo established his dominance and earned the Flyweight title. His next matchups could possibly be against Moreno for a fourth time, the winner of Askarov/Kara France, or Alexandre Pantoja.
(C) Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane
In a excellent showcasing of mix marital arts, Francis Ngannou versus Ciryl Gane was an amazing main event. That lived up not only to the hype of 270 but the storylines that came in to it. In the first two rounds you would think Gane was going to cruise to an easy decision win but from the third to final round. Francis emposed is will on Ciryl through his wrestling and grappling. Which was a sight to see considering Francis’s game has been evolving since winning the title against Stipe Miocic. So overall, a great performance by both men who futures is now up in the air.
Francis Ngannou: Although his future is unknown with the UFC, Ngannou at UFC 270 has evolved to be an even more scarier heavyweight. Considering also he fought Gane with a torn MCL and damaged ACL. Now projected to have surgery on his knees and to be sidelined for a period of time. Ngannou has the potential to wait out and let his contract expire because his last fight at UFC 270 was the last fight on his contract.
If he were not to resign with the UFC, a boxing fight with Tyson Fury maybe in play. However if the UFC were to resign Ngannou, his next fight would may be against Jon Jones, the winner Lewis/Tuivasa, or Aspinall/Volkov.
Ciryl Gane: In an impressive performance that ended with a loss, Ciryl Gane showcased he had what it took to beat Francis Ngannou but what ultimately prevented him from being the newly crowned champion was his inability to grapple and stop Ngannou’s takedowns. Even though Gane himself said his camp knew their was the potential for the fight to go the ground. I believe Gane can bounce back and potentially fight once again for a interim title if Francis is sidelined. Matchups that would generate a interim title fight would be against Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic, Curtis Blaydes, Tai Tuivasa if he were to beat Lewis, and Tom Aspinall if he were to beat Volkov.
All images by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC.
Rankings and future matchups provided by the UFC and Rankingmma.com
