After UFC 239, it’s time to see what’s next for the winners and losers of one of the best cards of the year. Who gets who next?
UFC 239 is in the books and there was no shortage of domination. With so many fighters showing up, it’s time to see what’s next for our favorite fighters!
Michael Chiesa Outgrapples Diego Sanchez
Michael Chiesa didn’t look bad against his foe, Diego Sanchez. Diego makes things hard for grapplers in the first place. Chiesa kept things on the ground, where he was comfortable. Diego had no answer for Chiesa’s pressure. While Chiesa struggled to get the finish, he ultimately got a 30-26 on all three scorecards.
Next Opponent for Michael Chiesa: Vicente Luque vs. Mike Perry winner, Demian Maia
Next Opponent for Diego Sanchez: Tim Means, Dong Hyun Kim
Blachowicz Breaks Luke Rockhold’s Jaw
Blachowicz rebounded from his tough bout with Thiago Santos with a huge knockout win over former middleweight champ, Luke Rockhold. Blachowicz negated all of Rockhold’s wrestling fairly easy. Blachowicz was simply stronger and faster than Rockhold. With a giant left hook, he took Rockhold’s soul.
Rockhold looked gassed at the end of the second round. While he did press Blachowicz against the fence, he had trouble mounting any offense. By the second round, Luke was noticeably slower and not as crisp. It’s not often I say fighters should retire, but Rockhold doesn’t seem to have his heart into it anymore. And with his jaw broken once again, serious health concerns are brought up for the former champ.
Next Opponent for Jan Blachowicz: Dominick Reyes, Volkan Oezdemir vs. Ilir Latifi Winner
Jorge Masvidal ScoresFastest KO in UFC History
Not much to say here. Jorge Masvidal knocked out Ben Askren in five seconds because Askren was predictable. Askren will rebound and Masvidal will ride the wave.
Next Opponent for Jorge Masvidal: Tyron Woodley, Kamaru Usman
Next Opponent for Ben Askren: Darren Till, Santiago Ponzinibbio
Amanda Nunes Further Solidifies Herself as the Women’s GOAT
We all knew Amanda Nunes was the GOAT before UFC 239. Having beat every champ at bantamweight and featherweight, there’s almost nobody for her to fight. Valentina Shevchenko was a decent match the first two go-arounds. Nunes might just flatline anyone the UFC throws at her from now on.
Holly did a good job of using her jab to keep Nunes away in the beginning. But Nunes finds ways to make you make mistakes, as we saw with Holm. After eating a big shot, Holm flinched at a feint and Nunes knew she had the kill. Holm might not get a title shot ever again.
Next Opponent for Amanda Nunes: Cris Cyborg vs. Felicia Spencer winner, Ketlen Vieira
Next Opponent for Holly Holm: Sijara Eubanks, Yana Kunitskaya
Jon Jones Overcomes a Legless Thiago Santos by the Skin of his Teeth
Jon Jones was very reserved in the fight with Thiago Santos. He stalked him down the entire fight but seemed hesitant to pull the trigger knowing Santos was coming with bombs. Jones defended his title and won his first split decision fight. But the champ didn’t look too impressive in this fight.
Santos tore nearly every ligament in his left knee and his meniscus. He was still throwing kicks later on in the fight but not as frequent. Santos fought Jones the complete opposite of how everyone thought. He didn’t bum rush Jon early on. He was patient and made Jones move first. Many people, myself included, thought Santos won that fight, but you have to convincingly beat the champ. Santos will return, and the beast that he is will make another title run after UFC 239.
Next Opponent for Jon Jones: Dominick Reyes, Daniel Cormier if Victorious
Next Opponent for Thiago Santos: Anthony Smith Rematch, Jan Blachowicz
