Calvin Kattar defeated Giga Chikadze in the main event of UFC Vegas 46, winning all five rounds on the judge’s scorecards. A very good return performance by Kattar. In the co-main event, Jake Collier submitted Chase Sherman in the first round. Today we will be looking at what is next for the winners of UFC Vegas 46.
Calvin Kattar
Calvin Kattar came into this fight with Chikadze a big underdog. That changed quickly as Kattar was able to land a takedown in the first round. Chikadze got tired early and wasn’t able to get off any of his powerful kicks. In short, Kattar looked fantastic, Giga showed heart, and it was a thrilling main event.
Kattar’s next fight should be against Yair Rodriguez. Rodriguez is coming off a loss to Max Holloway in November. Holloway was to be next in line for a title shot, until injury forced him out. When he returns, he may very well still be next in line — which means Kattar’s next fight would be against Rodriguez or Brian Ortega. Rodriguez matches up better striking-wise with Kattar so he would make for a more exciting fight.
Kattar’s next fight: Yair Rodriguez
Jake Collier
Collier displayed his grappling abilities in his submission win over Chase Sherman this past weekend. In his next fight, Collier should be fighting a guy like Parker Porter. Porter is 2-1 in the UFC and is currently on a two-fight win streak. Porter has power in his hands and a good grappling game. He has finished five of his 11 wins by knockout and three by submission. Porter also happens to be coming off a win over Sherman.
Collier’s next fight: Parker Porter
Brandon Royval
Brandon Royval won a split decision against Rogerio Bontorin at UFC Vegas 46. This win snaps Royval’s two-fight losing streak. Royval should be looking at a fight inside the top five of the division for his next fight. Last year, Royval was submitted by Alexandre Pantoja. With Askar Askarov fighting Kai-Kara France in March, and Deiveson Figueiredo set to fight Brandon Moreno for the title, a rematch with Pantoja looks like the fight to make for Royval.
Royval’s next fight: Rematch with Alexandre Pantoja
Katlyn Chookagian
Here’s a weird one: Katlyn Chookagian won her third straight fight at UFC Vegas 46, and is now a free agent. Generally, fighters on winning streaks tend to get contracts re-upped ahead of time, but Chookagian fought out her deal. Both “Blonde Fighter” and Dana White confirmed that following the event.
Chookagian says she wants to stay with the UFC, White said it’s between her and Mick Maynard. She is officially a free agent, she’s on a good win streak, and would be a great addition to Bellator. Why would the UFC let her go? Well, she had her shot against Valentina Shevchenko and fell well short. There’s little reason for a rematch — but Chookagian keeps knocking off contenders.
Frankly, that shouldn’t be held against her. The knock seems to be that she doesn’t finish fights, but regardless she’s winning them. If she sticks around, then put her up against the winner of Jessica Eye vs. Manon Fiorot. If Eye wins, it’s another rematch, as the Maia fight was — but their first fight was a split decision. If Fiorot wins, and gets past Chookagian as well, she’s title-bound.
Chookagian’s next fight: winner of Jessica Eye vs. Manon Fiorot
Viacheslav Borshchev
Viacheslav Borshchev finished Dakota Bush with a body shot in the first round at UFC Vegas 46. Borshchev now brings himself to a 6-1 record winning his UFC debut. His only loss came to William Starks by split decision at LFA 96 in 2020. He has finished five of his six wins by knockout and looks to be a problem in the UFC’s lightweight division. For his next fight, he should fight another young lightweight. Jordan Leavitt has a record of 9-1 and is 2-1 in the UFC.
Six of Leavitt’s 11 wins are by way of submission. His style is completely opposite of Borshchev’s style. This will be the perfect test to decide if Borshchev has the grappling to survive the UFC. While also testing to see if Leavitt has the striking to climb the rankings.
Borshchev’s next fight: Jordan Leavitt
Bill Algeo
Featherweight Bill Algeo won a unanimous decision against Joanderson Brito, then got on the mic, and called out Giga Chikadze, playing a heel character in doing so. Algeo admitted following the event that given Chikadze is ranked and he himself is not, that fight may not materialize any time soon. But Algeo was also paired up with Makwan Amirkhani previously only to be forced out due to injury. Mr. Finland fights Mike Grundy in March; if Algeo doesn’t mind waiting, give him the winner.
Algeo’s next fight: Makwan Amirkhani vs. Mike Grundy winner
