Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeria fought in one of the most exciting light heavyweight title fights in the history of the UFC at UFC 275.
Teixeria looked to be winning on all judge’s scorecards but was submitted by Prochazka in the final 30 seconds of the fight. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko won a split decision over Taila Santos to retain her flyweight title. Also on the card, Joanna Jedrzejczyk retired from the sport of MMA after her first-round knockout loss to Zhang Weili. Today we will be looking at what is next for the losers of UFC 275.
Glover Teixeira
After his loss this past weekend, Teixeira asked Daniel Cormier how he looked in the fight. DC responded by saying he looked good and looked like he had more left in the tank. Teixeira responded, ” I guess I will keep going then.” At 42 years old it is possible that Teixeira could make another run at getting his title back. In his next fight, Teixeira should have a rematch with Jan Blachowicz.
Blachowicz knocked out Aleksander Rakic in his most recent fight and was ranked number one in the division before this past weekend. A fight between Teixeira and Blachowicz could be considered a number one contender fight. As both men would be great opponents for Prochazka’s next fight.
There’s a chance, however, that Blachowicz gets the next title shot. In which case, give Teixeira the winner of Smith vs. Ankalaev, which should have the same outcome: an eventual title shot.
Teixeira’s next fight: Jan Blachowicz or Smith vs. Ankalaev winner
Taila Santos
Taila Santos looked amazing in her loss this past weekend. Valentine Shevchenko has dominated everyone she has fought for a long time and Santos gave her a serious run for her money. Santos was able to take her down a few times and was also able to beat Shevchenko up on the ground a good bit. She is definitely worthy of an immediate rematch and should get one. That said, she’ll need some time off due to her broken orbital, which requires surgery — so don’t expect this soon. Shevchenko will likely take a fight in between.
Santos’ next fight: Rematch with Valentina Shevchenko
Joanna Jedrzejczyk
No matchmaking necessary here. Joanna Jedrzejczyk hung up the gloves following UFC 275. The former women’s strawweight champion still holds the 115 pound record for title defenses at five. Next up for Joanna is likely a Hall of Fame induction, perhaps as soon as next year.
Andre Fialho
Andre Fialho was knocked out in the second round of his welterweight bout with Jake Matthews at UFC 275. This loss makes Fialho 2-2 in the UFC with three of his four UFC fights ending in knockout. Fialho is an extremely exciting fighter and should get another fight in the UFC soon, though maybe not at the breakneck pace he had been competing at. In his next fight, he should be looking to keep his run of knockouts going by fighting a young talented striker.
Philip Rowe is 22-1 in the UFC with both of his wins being second-round knockouts. Rowe is a powerful striker with a good grappling game. Making him the best match-up for Fialho in his next fight.
Fialho’s next fight: Philip Rowe
Ramazan Emeev
Jack Della Maddalena knocked out Ramazan Emeev in the first round at UFC 275. That is the second straight loss for Emeev, who is now 5-3 in the promotion.
Song Kenan hasn’t fought since a knockout at the hands of Max Griffin last year. Prior to that setback, Kenan had won two straight. The Chinese fight is 18-6 and doesn’t have a fight scheduled. If he’s ready to come back, book him against Emeev.
Maddalena’s next fight: Song Kenan
