This past weekend, the UFC returned to the dark and gloomy Apex for another Fight Night event. Headlining the UFC Vegas 71 card were two heavy-hitting heavyweights, looking to cement themselves as the next title challenger in the division.
Let’s take a look at what could be next for the losers on the night.
Curtis Blaydes
Curtis “Razor” Blaydes’ questionable fight IQ came into question once again this past Saturday as he was finished in the first round by soaring contender Sergei Pavlovich.
The 32-year-old came into the bout riding a three fight win streak, looking to make in four in a row for the third time in his UFC tenure. Unfortunately for Blaydes though, he ran into the extremely fast and powerful Pavlovich. The question mark surrounding Blaydes’ performance though, once again lies with his disregard for his opponents’ power and for whatever reason, not fighting to his strengths.
For his next bout, I’d like to see Blaydes run it back with Brit Tom Aspinall. Their first fight ended unceremoniously due to an injury after 15 seconds, so why not run it back, exactly where it happened the first time.
Blaydes’ Next Fight: Tom Aspinall
Brad Tavares
Formerly ranked inside the top 15, Brad Tavares has hit a snag in his career in his last few outings. Picking up back-to-back losses for the third time during his UFC tenure, it is important for the 35-year-old to bounce back with a win in his next outing.
Tavares has shown since his emergence in the promotion in 2011 that he will fight absolutely anyone, and will look relatively good doing so.
Someone that Tavares has previously been booked to fight, only for it not to come to fruition, is Gregory Rodrigues. Maybe now is the right time to re-book that fight and hope they meet each other inside the Octagon this time.
Tavares’ Next Fight: Gregory Rodrigues
Jared Gordon and Bobby Green
Due to this fight ending in a No Content because of an accidental headbutt it makes the most sense to run it back straightaway.
Jared Gordon and Bobby Green to rematch
Brogan Walker
Unfortunately for Brogan Walker, since her emergence from The Ultimate Fighter, she has been matched up with younger and hungrier prospects than what she is.
With Walker having picked up a win over Miranda Maverick during the pair’s Invicta days, it is clear she has skill that is yet to be shown in her UFC career. For her next outing, the matchmaking needs to be more even to see where she’s really at in her UFC stint.
A match-up with someone of the calibre of Hannah Goldy could make more sense for her next time out.
Walker’s Next Fight: Hannah Goldy
Matthew Semelsberger
A fight that played out how it was advertised was Jeremiah Wells vs. Matthew Semelsberger.
Multiple times in the fight, Semelsberger came close to finishing Wells with his powerful punching, but Wells hung in there and picked up the split decision victory. One thing can be guaranteed when Matthew Semelsberger is fighting: all out violent action.
Someone else in the welterweight division who has shown a tendency to be violent, is Phillip Rowe. Rowe’s last win came against the all action Niko Price, and a meeting with Matthew Semelsberger could be just as exciting.
Semelsberger’s Next Fight: Phillip Rowe
