Heading into UFC 305, plenty were ready to side against Dricus Du Plessis in a grudge match with Israel Adesanya, but the South African champ once again found a way to win. Now, coming off the biggest win of his career to date, Du Plessis not only remains champ but is being targeted by some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Alex Pereira. What comes next for Stillknocks and other big winners from Saturday? We’ll try to answer that now.
Dricus du Plessis
No matter how he gets it done, the fact remains — Dricus du Plessis knows how to win fights. Despite looking ragged from body shots in the fourth round, his insatiable drive spurred him to victory, catching rival Israel Adesanya with a right hand before following him to the ground to lock up a submission finish.
There are two obvious options for the South Africa’s next fight: Sean Strickland or the winner of Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev. Personally, I think Rob or Khamzat would deserve it more since Strickland only won one fight since losing the belt to du Plessis himself. However, Dana White has already stated that Strickland will be next to face Dricus, and he has the power to decide those things, of course.
Du Plessis’ Next Fight: Sean Strickland 2
Kai-Kara France
New Zealand’s Kai-Kara France impressed in a way that people usually do not associate with flyweights when he knocked Steve Erceg out cold on Saturday. He has now rebounded from two straight losses, but the second of those losses was a decision against Amir Albazi that most people thought he won.
Albazi has sat out for a year due to injury and with this win Kai has earned a rematch. The winner would then find themselves in a title fight or at least a number one contender bout.
France’s Next Fight: Amir Albazi 2
Dan Hooker
In the immediate aftermath of Dan Hooker’s win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, Hunter Campbell was quoted as saying that Hooker would fight Charles Oliveira next. That fight would be incredible; they have been in the same division for a long time putting on exciting fights, but have never crossed paths.
Now that they will do so, it’s anybody’s guess as to who will win. Whoever it is though, they will be firmly entrenched in the top-five at lightweight and ready to challenge for the belt next, perhaps, after Arman Tsarukyan’s much-deserved title shot.
Hooker’s Next Fight: Charles Oliveira
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Although one judge bafflingly gave Tai Tuivasa a 30-27 scorecard, Jairzinho ‘Bigi Boi’ Rozenstruik was the one who walked out of the cage the victor after a confident striking performance, his second in a row. Now with a two fight winning streak in hand it is time for the Surinamese fighter to face one of the other big hitters of heavyweight – Derrick Lewis – in a bout that could end at any moment with one punch from either man. Lewis will just have to get past Alexander Romanov in Edmonton first.
Rozenstruik’s Next Fight: Derrick Lewis
Carlos Prates
Brazil’s Carlos Prates has taken the welterweight division by storm with three knockout wins in as many UFC fights, but now the real tests begin. He is on the fringe of having a number next to his name and should fight someone else who is in the same boat.
After a three fight losing streak, Michael Chiesa bounced back with a win over Tony Ferguson, but it did not tell us much. He would be a new threat for Prates, a strong grappler, while Carlos would be a young, hungry, powerful hitter who would test if Chiesa himself is ready to return to the rankings.
Prates’ Next Fight: Michael Chiesa
