UFC 237 was a tough night for Brazilians, aside from the new champion. So who’s next for the main card fighters?
Another month, another pay-per-view in the books. This time, we’re on the way home from Brazil with a new champion, new blood in the hunt, and old legends faring not so well. After every card, MMA fans everywhere are always wondering what’s next for the fighters, and UFC 237 is no exception. Let’s take a look at what’s on the horizon for our winners and losers!
Bethe Correia Misses Weight and Loses Fourth Fight in Five
Irene Aldana’s beginning in the UFC was off to a rough start. Losing her first two UFC bouts, Aldana has since rattled off three straight wins with her most recent over Bethe. She showed so much improvement with her hands, having even more crisp striking than we’ve seen in the past. Aldana put together combos that gave Correia fits all night, cruising to a unanimous decision victory.
Coming into her fight at UFC 237, Bethe Correia was 1-3 in her last 4 fights. Having not fought since June of 2017, the return to Brazil was to be her homecoming and a win. Irene Aldana had other plans. Correia missed weight by four pounds. With her track record not looking so great in her last few fights, she was in a must-win situation. Unfortunately, she didn’t do enough to get the job done. Correia struggled once Aldana found her range and had trouble landing many of the power shots she needed to get the victory. It’s unclear if Correia will have another fight in the UFC considering this stretch.
Next Opponent for Irene Aldana: Yana Kunitskaya, Macy Chiasson
Next Opponent for Bethe Correia: Gina Mazany, Sarah Moras
Laureano Staropoli Systematically Pieces Up Thiago Alves
Laureano Staropoli, the Argentinian prospect, improved to 9-1 after putting on a beautiful performance against the veteran Thiago Alves. Alves was by far the most experienced fighter Staropoli has faced off against, with more fights than all of Staropoli’s previous opponents combined. The step up in experience was no sweat for Staropoli. He showed great poise in a hostile work environment, piecing up the Brazilian for three rounds, earning the unanimous decision.
Unfortunately for Thiago Alves, UFC 237 was not his night. Staropoli was just too awkward and a hair faster, even though he had Staropoli hurt at the end of the third round. Pitbull might not be his old self, he still has the pop and skill. While it might not be his last fight, Thiago Alves is nearing the end of his career.
Next Opponent for Laureano Staropoli: Ben Saunders, Siyar Bahadurzada
Next Opponent for Thiago Alves: Dong Hyun Kim, Dwight Grant
Alexander Volkanovski Thoroughly Defeats Jose Aldo
Alexander Volkanovski came into UFC 237 as the next contender to get through Jose Aldo. Aldo had been dispatching potential featherweight contenders for Max Holloway before they could get to the champ. Volkanovski was ready for the task. We’ve seen Aldo defeated by Holloway’s pressure and McGregor’s precision in his last couple of fights. Volkanovski decided to try something new. He took his time, made Aldo take chances and become trigger shy when those chances didn’t work for him. He worked on the lead leg of Aldo, an Aldo trademark. The multitude of strikes was enough for Volkanovski to get the win.
Jose Aldo, while taking the loss, didn’t look bad. He is still incredibly fast, has plenty of power, and his footwork is on another level. While a contender may have gotten past him, he’s sure to ruin plenty of other fighters chances, and after a couple wins, possibly another shot at the title he previously held. Unfortunately for Aldo, he found someone who can beat him in Volkanovski. Volkanovski will get that shot now.
Next Opponent for Alexander Volkanovski: Max Holloway
Next Opponent for Jose Aldo: Yair Rodriguez, Josh Emmett
Jared Cannonier Gets the Win, Not How People Wanted to See Anderson Silva
Not much can be said about the fight. Early on, Anderson Silva was still feeling out Jared Cannonier. Cannonier landed a couple shots on Anderson as well. A leg kick, after several, did Silva in and put him out with a knee injury. Cannonier was booed out of the stadium even though he was only doing his job. Tough fight for both of them. Silva needs to hang the gloves up before he receives any more unnecessary damage to his body.
Next Opponent for Jared Cannonier: Derek Brunson, Brad Tavares
Jessica Andrade Pile Drives Her Way to a Title
To be completely honest, Rose Namajunas dominated round one against the current champ, Jessica Andrade. She looked wildly improved from her last fight and looked to be on the way to a win. Then it happened. Andrade picked up Namajunas for the second time of the night. While Namajunas chased a kimura in defense of the slam, she didn’t let go on the way down, landing on her head. This second round slam put Namajunas out and made Andrade the new strawweight champion. Credit to Andrade, her second round adjustments were great. She brawled more and got her hands on Rose enough to get the slam at UFC 237.
Post-fight, Namajunas said she did not know if she even wanted to fight anymore. She admitted to thinking about it in camp and in the fight. That said, if her heart isn’t in the sport, she needs to retire and minimize any more damage to her body. I hope to see her compete again. Rose was a monster and looked her best tonight.
Next Opponent for Jessica Andrade: Suarez/Ansaroff Winner
Next Opponent for Rose Namajunas: Suarez/Anasaroff Loser, Weili Zhang
