UFC 251 was the UFC’s first event on Yas Island aka Fight Island. In the main event, we witnessed Kamaru Usman retain his title with a decision win over Jorge Masvidal. Today we will be taking a look at what’s next for the fighters of UFC 251.
Kamaru Usman
Gilbert Burns was originally supposed to fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. That was before he tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result, he was replaced by Jorge Masvidal on six days’ notice. Dana White has spoken in interviews saying Gilbert Burns is 100% next in line for a title shot.
Kamaru Usman’s next fight: Gilbert Burns
Jorge Masvidal
A fight between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards also seems a little obvious because of their past and because of the state of the welterweight division. Leon Edwards deserves to be the number one contender or title challenger. Seeing as Burns will get the next title shot, a number one contender fight with Masvidal seems like the next best thing. To add, everyone should remember the backstage scuffle that these two got into after Masvidal’s KO victory over Darren Till back in March of 2019. Three piece and a soda anyone?
Jorge Masvidal’s next fight: Leon Edwards
Petr Yan
Petr Yan won himself a TKO victory over Jose Aldo this past weekend. Let’s be real, it is time to give Aljamain Sterling his title shot. He has been the number one contender for a long time now. He was passed up so Henry Cejudo could fight Dominick Cruz and he was passed up so Yan could fight Aldo. Sterling’s shot at the title is long past due.
Petr Yan’s next fight: Aljamain Sterling
Rose Namajunas
Rose Namajunas dominated this past weekend to earn a unanimous decision victory over Jessica Andrade. That win should 100% cement her in the number one contender fight. The only way Namajunas doesn’t get the next shot at Weili Zhang is if Zhang chooses to fight Valentina Shevchenko in a super fight.
Rose Namajunas’ next fight: Weili Zhang
Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski won a very unpopular split decision at UFC 251 in his rematch with Max Holloway. The fight looked quite different from their first meeting, and the champ was knocked down twice in the opening rounds. Still, the division must go on, even if Dana White seems to be considering a third fight between the two. Until that happens, names like Zabit Magomedsharipov, Calvin Kattar, and the Korean Zombie are out there. Zombie is lined up with Brian Ortega, and the winner of that fits the bill.
Alexander Volkanovski’s next fight: The Korean Zombie/Ortega winner
