What is Next for the Main Card of UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Dos Anjos
(LW) Michael Johnson vs (LW) Jamie Mullarkey
In the event's fight of night contender, Michael Johnson versus Jamie Mullarkey produced a war with both athletes landing multiple damaging shots from the head to toe. Beginning in the first with Johnson dropping Mullarkey until mere minutes later Jamie would get a non-credited knockdown of his own. Convincing audiences and judges the first was 50/50. In the second Jamie Mullarkey got the upper hand by nearly finishing Michael Johnson on the feet but would escape living another round. In the third round, much of the action in the first occurred in the final round as both fighters traded ferocious shots.
In the end, Jamie Mullarkey would get the nod winning via split decision. On my scorecard, I scored it 29-28 for Michael Johnson winning rounds one and three while Jamie took round two. Overall, I would not consider this decision a gigantic robbery, however, the wrong guy won in my opinion.
Michael Johnson: The ideal opponents for the UFC veteran include Matt Frevola, the winner of Marc Diakiese versus Damir Hadzovic, or Rafa Garcia.
Jamie Mullarkey: Matchups next for Mullarkey is the winner of Rafael Alves versus Drew Dober, Clay Guida, or Paddy Pimblett if he gets past Jordan Leavitt.
(BW) Aiemann Zahabi vs (BW) Ricky Turcios
Coming off an impressive TKO victory in his last fight, Aimann Zahabi capitalized on the opportunity and fought the debuting TUF winner Ricky Turcios. Winning via unanimous decision after continuously kicking the leg of Turcios to prevent him from setting up his basic combinations and volume striking.
Aiemann Zahabi: Matchups for Zahabi next are Kyung Ho Kang or Tony Gravely.
Ricky Turcios: After an unsuccessful UFC debut the former TUF winner may fight Journey Newsome, Danaa Batgerel, or Vince Morales.
(HW) Jared Vanderra vs (HW) Chase Sherman
In a battle between two towering heavyweights looking to get their win first win in a long time. Chase Sherman won the fight after TKOing Jared Vanderaa late in the third round. Initially, prior to the TKO, I believed Jared Vanderaa was going to win 29-28 against but with this TKO Chase proved he had that dog in him.
Jared Vanderaa: For the tough Vanderaa, matchups next for him include Chris Barnett or a newly signed fighter from Dana White’s contender series.
Chase Sherman: After securing his first win in a long time, matchups for Chase next could be William Knight, Rodrigo Nascimento, or Juan Espino.
(BW) Douglas Silva de Andrade vs (BW) Said Nurmagomedov
For Said Numargomedov to enter the UFC bantamweight rankings, he has to face the best of the best which in this case is Douglas Silva de Andrade, a strong bantamweight with sneaky submissions and knockout power. In the fight, Said was doing a good job of incorporating his fluid style of in and out striking as well as setting the pace. However, in the second Douglas Silva de Andrade found his range and landed more strikes than Nurmagomedov. In the final, the fight became more calculated with less significant strikes and control of distance.
Douglas Silva de Andrade: Matchups for the hard-hitting veteran include Mario Bautista, Chris Gutierrez, or Johnathan Martinez.
Said Nurmagomedov: Although Said won the toughest fight in his career so far, opponents next to test him once again include Kyler Phillips, Victor Henry, or Adrian Yanez.
(MW) Caio Borralho vs (MW) Armen Petrosyan
Built-up to be a middleweight prospect versus prospect matchup. Caio Borralho versus Armen Petrosyan did not live up to its co-main event expectations and was a rare one-sided contest with Caio dominating Petrosyan on the ground.
Caio Borralho: After his unanimous decision victory, Caio called out Dricus Du Plessis in the post-fight press conference however with that fight not likely to occur Caio's next matchups may be Roman Dolidze, Chidi Njokuani, or Phil Hawes.
Armen Petrosyan: Fights that make sense next include Andre Petroski, Jun Yong Park, or Julian Marquez.
(LW) Rafael dos Anjos vs (LW) Rafael Fiziev
To determine who is the best Rafael in the UFC, Rafael dos Anjos versus Rafael Fiziev was a striking contest that saw Rafael Fiziev in the fifth round get the best of the legendary dos Anjos finishing him with a clean left hook to enter the top ten of the UFC lightweight rankings.
Rafael dos Anjos: Following this loss, Rafael dos Anjos is still a contender in the lightweight division and even through this setback distances himself from the title. Fights next for him include Conor McGregor, Dan Hooker, or Damir Ismagulov.
Rafael Fiziev: With this victory, Fiziev is now a top ten lightweight and now two or possibly one fight away from a title shot. Matchups that make sense for him next are Mateusz Gamrot, Justin Gaethje (whom he called out in his post-fight press conference), or Beniel Dariush.
Thumbnail and images by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
