UFC San Antonio has come and gone. Let’s take a few minutes and see what could be on the horizon in the future for some of the fighters.
We’re back once again. After UFC San Antonio, we break down what’s next for our fighters!
Greg Hardy Wins Again
This is always a point I like to make when Greg Hardy fights. I’m not here to condemn his past actions in this article. I am here strictly to analyze his fight and speculate what’s next.
Hardy and Juan Adams finally had their grudge match, in which Greg Hardy dispatched Adams in under a minute. Adams took the loss hard, but later apologized for his actions.
Next for Greg Hardy: Chase Sherman, Maurice Greene
Hardy is still inexperienced, and you could tell early on in the fight. The wide hook he threw allowed Adams to get in on the takedown. Fortunately for Hardy, he wasn’t far enough in to finish the takedown. While Hardy’s ranking is rising for each win. He might not be ready for a ranked opponent yet, but he will be soon. Although, the UFC and Dana White have been known to rush their prospects. Chase Sherman deserves another UFC call up and Maurice Greene is another hard hitter who would be a good test for Hardy.
Next for Juan Adams: Allen Crowder, Tanner Boser vs. Giacomo Lemos Winner
Juan Adams was highly touted coming out of the Contender Series. He was big, like REALLY big. Look at him next to Tyron Woodley:
Rate the fit: @chosenjuan285’s romper @TWooodley had some thoughts 🤣 pic.twitter.com/QQDrgjsrvm
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 20, 2019
Unfortunately for Adams, he took this grudge match personally and made a mistake that cost him the fight. Adams still might have some left in the UFC, but dropping two straight isn’t a good start. Allen Crowder, who also fought Hardy, would be a good test if he can keep his head clear ahead of the fight. Another good matchup would be the winner of Tanner Boser and Giacomo Lemos on this weekend’s UFC 240 card. The skill matchup would be another good test for Adams.
Walt Harris Notches Quality Win Over Oleinik
We just watched Ben Askren get starched by a flying knee. It JUST happened. You’d think everyone would be on high alert looking for another one. Oleinik didn’t get a chance to take the fight to the ground and was knocked off balance by a flying knee right into a knockout blow.
Next for Walt Harris: Andrei Arlovski Rematch, Derrick Lewis
Walt Harris notched his best win to date over Aleksei Oleinik at UFC San Antonio. The heavyweight hasn’t lost a fight since 2017 and only has 62 seconds of fight time in 2019. It might be time for Harris and Andrei Arlovski to run back their split decision fight that was overturned from last December. Derrick Lewis is also looking for a fight and it would be a good step up in competition for Harris.
Next for Aleksei Oleinik: Ben Rothwell, Fabricio Werdum
Aleksei Oleinik didn’t get the ever-sought-after Ezekiel choke that everyone knows him for at UFC San Antonio. He mentioned that this might be his last fight going in. Oleinik likely wants to go out on a win and might have a spot on the rumored UFC Moscow card. Ben Rothwell will have had ample time to recover after his beating from Arlovski. That might be a good fight for the UFC to make. A name people know and a competitive fight. Another dream matchup would be for the UFC to convince Fabricio Werdum to come back and have the two best grapplers in the heavyweight division go head to head. But who knows what the timetable is for Oleinik’s leg injury and if he’ll ever fight again?
Leon Edwards is in a Tough Situation
Leon Edwards marched down Rafael dos Anjos. It wasn’t that competitive of a fight. Dos Anjos is a very tough fighter too. He fights anyone and everyone. Unfortunately, the fight didn’t go his way.
Next for Leon Edwards: Robbie Lawler, Jorge Masvidal
The next fight for Leon Edwards is not in his control anymore. I believe his next fight relies solely on the outcome of the scrap between Robbie Lawler and Colby Covington. If Covington wins, he will likely get the next shot at the champ, Kamaru Usman. That would leave Jorge Masvidal looking for a fight. With the beef between the two, the fight would be gigantic. Now, if Lawler were to beat Covington, he wouldn’t get the shot because he is riding a two-fight losing streak going in. That would likely send Masvidal to Usman and Lawler to Edwards.
Next for Rafael dos Anjos: Charles Oliveira, Santiago Ponzinibbio
Unfortunately for dos Anjos, he’s running into the bigger fighters of the welterweight division, much like Donald Cerrone did. It might be time for him to return to lightweight again and get his size advantage back. A top 10 opponent would be appropriate for RDA at lightweight. But, if the cut is still too much, a matchup with Santiago Ponzinibbio would be a match made in heaven from UFC San Antonio.
