The UFC returned to the Lone Star State this past weekend, with one of the best Fight Night cards ever, on paper, in UFC Austin.
Fortunately for the rowdy Texans, the fights lived up to the expectation with nine finishes from 12 fights. Let’s take a look at what could be next for the winners on the night.
Arman Tsarukyan
The Armenian extended his win streak to three in a row with an emphatic win over Beneil Dariush.
Throughout fight week, the 27-year-old’s attention seemed elsewhere as he was involved in two separate hotel scuffles with Bobby Green. Come fight night though, he was all in on “Benny D”, and it didn’t take long for him to show once again, why he is a clear contender.
It’s performances like that, that normally cause a mix up in a division. Charles Oliveira is seemingly the next contender for Islam Makhachev, but since losing his title to the Russian, has only fought once. Because of how dominant the loss was, I believe he needs to do more to claim another title shot.
There is undoubtedly more demand for “Do Bronx” to get the next title shot, but that is because of his sheer popularity and not how competitive the fight would be. I would opt for a more competitive fight and that’s why I’d edge with Tsarukyan getting the next title shot, although it likely goes against the grain and won’t become a reality.
If “Ahalkalakets” doesn’t get the next title shot, it begs the question who will he fight? The current issue with the deepest division in MMA, is there are three-four fighters at the top who feel entitled. Dustin Poirier has grown stubborn as his career has gone on, Charles Oliveira’s popularity just gets him places and Justin Gaethje is the BMF, so he feels he can makes demands.
If Tsarukyan’s next fight isn’t for a title, then Dustin Poirier has to finally defend his ranking.
Tsarukyan’s Next Fight: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier
Jalin Turner
All week, all signs led to Jalin Turner walking in to the Octagon underprepared and uninterested in being there. At the UFC Austin media day, Turner admitted that he felt obliged to take the fight and wasn’t prepared.
Then weigh-ins came and it’s fair to say you could tell it was late notice for him. But then Saturday came. “The Tarantula” flipped a switch and entered his danger zone. Despite some of the worst refereeing in MMA history, Jalin Turner scored a flash KO over the extremely durable, Bobby Green.
After the performance fellow lightweight, Renato Moicano, immediately threw his name in the hat to fight Jalin Turner next. As much as that’d be a fun fight, I think there are more meaningful fights to make for the 28-year-old. Rafael Fiziev is scheduled to return from injury early next year, and for me, that fight could make sense for both.
Turner’s Next Fight: Rafael Fiziev
Deiveson Figueiredo
“Dues da Guerra” entered the picture at bantamweight this past weekend, with a solid performance over the always gritty, Rob Font.
Despite the big size disadvantage, the former flyweight champion made some great adjustments to pick up a win in his maiden voyage at 135lbs. The 35-year-old has made it clear that he hasn’t moved up just to become a place-holder. With the win, he will now enter the bantamweight top 10.
Despite Petr Yan being on a three fight losing skid, he still occupies rank five in the division. With his future looking uncertain, it is hard to predict what his next move will be, but I like the thought of Yan vs Figueiredo.
Figueiredo’s Next Fight: Petr Yan
Sean Brady
The 31-year-old Brady welcomed Kelvin Gastelum back down to the 170lb division at UFC Austin, whilst bouncing back from his first career loss.
After being knocked out by Belal Muhammad, Brady lost a lot of stock as he was a blue chip prospect prior to that. The Philadelphian seemed to hit a turn of luck after his first loss, as he picked up a few injuries along the way, and it kept him out of the Octagon for over a year, despite being booked on two separate occasions.
Despite Brady currently being ranked ninth in the welterweight division, he only has one win against a current ranked welterweight, and that is Michael Chiesa who will likely fall out of the top 15 before the year is wrapped up.
With Brady returning to the win column, it is time for him to rebuild some momentum, and not to be thrusted back into a top five fight. Geoff Neal could make sense with that in mind.
Brady’s Next Fight: Geoff Neal
Joaquim Silva
The Brazilian upset the majority of fans on Saturday night, edging a decision over the fan favourite, Clay Guida.
Ultimately the decision could’ve gone either way and some fans were trying to make their case for why Guida should’ve been awarded the win. Despite Silva being the one with green next to his name, it wasn’t impressive enough that it’ll catapult him up the division.
The first name that comes to mind for Silva next, is Claudio Puelles.
Silva’s Next Fight: Claudio Puelles
Dustin Stoltzfus
Looking the best he’s possibly ever looked on Saturday at UFC Austin, was Dustin Stoltzfus. The Pennsylvanian nullified the power of “Puna” Soriano, and eventually found the submission, to return to the win column.
A matchup that could be fun stylistically, is Dustin Stoltzfus vs Jacob Malkoun.
Stoltzfus’ Next Fight: Jacob Malkoun
