This past Saturday at the Apex, former women’s strawweight champ Rose Namajunas picked up her first win as a flyweight, while Karl Williams notched a win in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 89. For “Thug” Rose, the victory keeps her prospects alive at 125, but what comes next? Let’s look at that right now.
Rose Namajunas
‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas got her first victory as a flyweight in UFC Vegas 89’s main event, cruising to a decision win over Amanda Ribas. Now 1-1 in the division, her options are wide open, as is a move back down to the division she used to reign in. With her win over the number eight flyweight in the world she will presumably take over that spot. Above her lie fighters like Natalia Silva, Maycee Barber, Katlyn Cerminara, and Jessica Andrade.
Now would be a perfect time to settle the score with Andrade, though all the other fights are appealing as well. Andrade moves back and forth between 115 and 125-lbs frequently and so she could fight Rose at either weight after her upcoming right with Marina Rodriguez. Win or lose it makes sense because Rose and Jessica are tied 1-1 in the series between them, with Jessica taking Rose’s belt away before Rose beat Andrade later to earn a title shot on her path to being a two-time champion at strawweight.
Namajunas’ Next Fight: Jessica Andrade 3
Karl Williams
Williams is the hottest-streaking prospect at heavyweight now after improving his UFC record to 3-0 in UFC Vegas 89’s co-main event. Before him that position was held by Shamil Gaziev, who just lost for the first time upon attempting to enter the top fifteen. If Williams can prove he is the best unranked heavyweight and beat the well-rounded Gaziev, then he would be well-deserving of his own shot at the rankings.
Williams’ Next Fight: Shamil Gaziev
Edmen Shabazyan
Although he was once the hottest rising, undefeated contender at middleweight, Shahbazyan’s knockout win on Saturday was just his second victory since 2019. After losing to four ranked fighters and beating two unranked ones in the midst of the losses, he needs to prove more before jumping back into the top-15, though his striking, power, and speed make him a constant and entertaining threat.
Next, Edmen ahould either fight guys who were on the verge of contention but are now coming off of losses, like Joe Pyfer and Roman Kopylov, or ones who are rising towards contention currently like Ikram Aliskerov or Rodolfo Vieira. Pyfer would be the best option here, as with his recent loss to Jack Hermansson he just went through what Shabazyan did a few years ago, which would create an interesting storyline for their fight.
Shahbazyan’s Next Fight: Joe Pyfer
Payton Talbott
Talbott had some hype coming into his UFC Vegas 89 fight, but when leaving the octagon after beating down Cameron Saaiman he had generated a ton more for himself with just over five minutes of work. People are now talking about the twenty-five year old fighting a ranked opponent soon in the stacked bantamweight division, which seems a bit much after only two UFC wins. Yet that perhaps shows just how good Talbott is.
Now is the time for Talbott to be tested against one of the unranked elder statesmen of bantamweight like Davey Grant, Cody Stamann, or Douglas Silva de Andrade. They all have more than ten UFC fights and are great fighters, but have struggled to hold onto a ranking for long in this division. Every upcoming prospect has to go through one of them. Davey Grant vs Payton Talbott in particular would be a great fight.
Talbott’s Next Fight: Davey Grant
Youssef Zalal
Zalal’s short-notice return to the UFC ended in celebration as he surprised by dominating veteran Billy Quarantillo on his way to a second round submission win. After his first 3-3-1 stint in the UFC he won three fights outside the promotion before this one, and that time seemed to havr turned Youssef into a significantlu more physically imposing and technically skilled fighter.
Looking like a future contender means he will be tested like one, and will be given someone like Julian Erosa or Josh Culibao next. Erosa won by submission as well on this very card, so matching them up next makes sense as they will naturally be on similar timelines for when their next bout takes place.
Zalal’s Next Fight: Julian Erosa
Fernando Padilla
Fernando Padilla kicked off the UFC Vegas 89 main card with a bang when he put hands on Luis Pajuelo before snatching up a first round d’Arce choke. At 3-1 in the UFC with three finishes, this 27-year old looks like a potential future contender as well.
So why not match him up with the other name I mentioned? Joshua Culibao is a solid fighter who bats .500 in the UFC, which is not easy to do, and is an appropriate test for Padilla after he failed his last test on this level, Kyle Nelson.
Padilla’s Next Fight: Joshua Culibao
