What is Next For the Main Card of UFC 273
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
In a stacked card that featured many debutants, specialists, and emerging champions. UFC 273 showcased the importance of a ground game, technical striking, and fighters finding out what they have on the inside.
Here are future opponents for the main card of UFC 273
(LW) Vinc Pichel vs (LW) Mark Madsen
As an underdog in several books, the former Olympian Mark Madsen was matched up with a tough competitor in Vinc Pichel who himself was on a three-fight win streak. In the first round, Pichel looked strong but after Madsen’s quick pep talk with his corner, Mark Madsen began to find his rhythm cruising to a unanimous decision.
What is next?
Mark Madsen: Opponents for the former Olympic silver medalist include the winner of Dawson/Gordon, Illia Topuria, Thiago Moses, or Alexander Hernadez.
Vinc Pichel: Moving forward opponents for Pichel include Joe Solecki, Ricky Glenn, Terrance McKinney, or Jalin Turner.
(#5 SW) Mackenzie Dern vs (#7 SW) tECIA tORRES
In a showdown to legitimize themselves as a top-five contender in the strawweight division, Mackenzie Dern versus Tecia Torres was a contest that saw the best from each woman. In the first round, Dern focused on closing the distance establishing forward pressure while Tecia on the other hand ensured a gap between them using oblique kicks. In the second although both fighters landed significant strikes, Dern was able to grapple and throw in a few submissions. In the deciding round, both fighters brought everything to the table but in the end, Dern got the split decision victory.
What is next?
Mackenzie Dern: After keeping her ranking in the division, future opponents for Dern include Yan Xiaonan, the winner or loser of Weili/Joana, or Carla Esparza (if she were to lose against Rose Namajunas).
Tecia Torres: Falling short once again to the best in the strawweight division, Torres's next matchup could be against the winner of Lemos/Andrade, Amanda Ribas, or Michelle Waterson.
(#2 WW) Gilbert Burns vs (#11 WW) Khamzat Chimaev
Entering Saturday night as the people’s main event, Gilbert Burns versus Khamzat Chimaev delivered an early contender for Fight of the Year.
As the first round began with both fighters throwing with power and intent. Most notably shown in Khamzat's jab that knocked down Gilbert. In round two the difference in levels appeared as Gilbert began to catch and knockdown Chimaev at certain points. Lastly in the third Khamzat showcased his takedown defense and striking. Gilbert in return near the last three mins or so, displayed his heart throwing and landing whatever he could to convince the judges he won or stole the round.
Ultimately, Chimaev won via unanimous decision but there could be a case that Gilbert may have won the third round.
What is next?
Khamzat Chimaev: Solidifying himself to be a top-five UFC welterweight, Chimaev Tuesday morning may be the second or third-ranked welterweight. Future opponents for Chimaev include Colby Covington (A possible opponent Dana White mentioned in interviews), Leon Edwards, the winner of Luque/Muhammed, or a title shot against Kamaru Usman.
Gilbert Burns: After showcasing his heart and why he would be Chimaev’s toughest test, Gilbert Burns's next opponent could be Belal Muhammed (if he were to win or lose because Burns wouldn’t fight Luque due to them being teammates), Colby Covington, or Leon Edwards.
(C) Aljamain Sterling vs (IC) Petr Yan
After a year and three days since their first fight, Aljamain Sterling versus Petr Yan could have gone one of two ways. Either Aljo dominates on the ground or Yan imposes his will on Aljo with a volume of hard-hitting strikes. In the end, it would be a combination of the two. As Yan was able to land some strikes and recover in the championship rounds with his takedown defense and control time. Aljo in the rematch drastically improved ultimately winning the title thanks to his patience in the pocket and dominance on the ground in round two (Possibly a 10-8 score) and round three.
In the end, although the decision was controversial depending on how you scored the first round. You have to commend Aljamain Sterling for sticking to his team’s game plan and silencing the doubters.
What is next?
Aljamain Sterling: Now the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion, Sterling’s next title defense could be against T.J. Dillashaw (Aljo called him out in his post-fight interview and press conference), or Jose Aldo.
Petr Yan: Coming off this loss, Yan is sort of stuck in the bantamweight division due to TJ potentially being next in line and having faced Aldo and Sandhagen already.
So the most enticing matchups to matchmake would be the Sandhagen rematch (Cory fought on short notice/not a full camp for the fight in Abu Dhabi), Jose Aldo (potentially even though he decisively beat him), the winner of Font/Vera, or Sterling’s teammate Merab Dvalishvili.
(C) Alexander Volkanovski vs (#4 FW) Chan Sung Jung
Already amongst the greatest featherweights of all time and is currently, third in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. Alexander Volkanovski proved Saturday night that there are now levels to the featherweight division because of his tactical striking, precision, and grappling against Chan Sung Jung. Proving the Korean Zombie did not deserve to be in the octagon with him.
However, to not discredit the featherweight legend that is Chan Sung Jung, he did land counters and powerful strikes that did catch Volkanovski off guard. It was just that since he was getting pieced up punch by punch if the fight were to go any longer it would’ve not been a competition but rather a fight that would have heavily relied on a Chan Sung Jung hail mary submission or knockout.
What is next?
Alexander Volkanovski: With no matchups or legitimate contenders worthy of a title shot besides Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski mentioned in his post-fight press conference that he would be interested in the lightweight division specifically the title. However, if that were to not occur the original trilogy with Max Holloway makes sense considering their past and Max proving he and Volkanovski are miles above the other fighters in the division.
One dark horse to watch fight Volkanovski is Henry Cejudo who himself has had aspirations of winning a UFC belt in a third division. However, although it would be a dream matchup and a must-see fight, Cejudo in reality has not been in talks with the promotion rather showcasing he is more talk than action.
Chan Sung Jung: Coming off his devastating loss, the Korean Zombie in his post-fight interview appeared dejected. As for his future, he addressed it with Joe Rogan in the octagon, summarized in the tweet below.
If Chan Sung Jung were to fight once again, his future opponents could be anyone in the top five or names such as Arnold Allen, Josh Emmet, and Giga Chikadze.
All photos by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC. Future matchups and information from UFC.com and Rankingmma.com
