The main event of UFC 264 ended tragically as Conor McGregor injured his ankle and the fight was stopped going into the second round. Dustin Poirier was winning most of the fight up until the injury. In the co-main event, Gilbert Burns won a decision over Stephen Wonderboy Thompson. Today we will be looking at what is next for the losers of UFC 264.
Conor McGregor
After the fight, Dana White told media that Poirier will get the next crack at the title and McGregor is having surgery lined up. White also said that a fourth fight between Poirier and McGregor will happen, and is likely to be McGregor’s next fight. Agree or not, that makes the matchmaking process pretty darn easy.
McGregor’s next fight: Dustin Poirier
Stephen Thompson
This loss makes Thompson 3-3 since losing his second title shot against Tyron Woodley. Losing decisions to Darren Till and Gilbert Burns and being knocked out by Anthony Pettis in that time. Thompson is getting older but will remain a name in the UFC for a while yet. Demian Maia would be the perfect next opponent for Stephen Thompson. Maia is in a similar spot as Thompson as Maia has lost his last two fights. Maia is currently ranked 11th in the welterweight division. Meaning a win over Maia could save face for Thompson and keep him fighting guys inside the top ten. Maia’s looking for a retirement fight, this could suffice.
Thompson’s next fight: Demian Maia
Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy was finished in the first round of his bout at UFC 264 against Tai Tuivasa. He’d later blame inexperience. Hardy landed some good shots but Tuivasa got the last laugh late in the first round. Hardy needs to be lined up with up-and-coming newer fighters in the UFC. For example, maybe a guy like Chris Barnett. Chris Barnett is an exciting heavyweight with very unorthodox striking. Hardy is also predominantly a striker and has a lot of power in his hands. This would make for an extremely exciting striking match-up.
Hardy’s next fight: Chris Barnett
Yana Kunitskaya
Yana Kunitskaya lost via TKO in the first round against Irene Aldana at UFC 264. Kunitskaya will have to look to bounce back in her next fight and the best way for her to do that is to take on Sara McMann. McMann is a great wrestler and Kunitskaya has shown drastic improvements in her ability to fight off her back. It will be good to see if Kunitskaya can do damage off her back and get back up. If she is able to defeat someone like McMann she should be immediately back in the mix of her division.
Kunitskaya’s next fight: Sara McMann
