Another weekend, and yet another UFC card at the UFC APEX center in Las Vegas. This time, the card, UFC Vegas 106, featured just a four fight main card after a last second illness forced a pair of middleweights off the event. In the headliner, former UFC welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns, took on the undefeated 25-year-old newcomer in Michael Morales. The ‘new’ co-main event featured a formerly high ranking featherweight in Sodiq Yusuff, continuing his losing skid at lightweight. A few veterans that are in the hot seat and a fight of the night winner that has seemingly fought nearly everyone in the division, on this edition of losers.
Gilbert Burns
Michael Morales officially announced his arrival to the welterweight division with his first round finish of Gilbert Burns on Saturday. The UFC Vegas 106 main event looked lopsided from the jump, as Burns looked visibly anxious during fighter announcements. Gilbert entered the fight ranked at #8 while his opponent was ranked at #12 in the division. That was a rough showing for Gilbert to put it mildly. Burns looked every bit of 38-years-old and is now riding a 4-fight losing streak.
Next fight for Gilbert should be against the loser of #14 Vicente Luque vs Kevin Holland fight. That bout goes down on June 7th at UFC 316. Luque is 2-2 in his last four, most recently he stopped Themba Gorimbo in the first round of their bout last December. Kevin is also 2-2 in his last four fights, securing a win in his last time out against Gunnar Nelson back in March. Three of Holland’s last four fights have been at middleweight. This fight would be a great one for the fans and makes a lot of sense for Gilbert as it’d be right on the fringe of the rankings. This fight would be a battle to stay relevant within the division with the loser likely either kicking around retirement rumors or no longer being mentioned amongst the elites.
Gilbert’s next fight: Loser of Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland
Sodiq Yusuff
Sodiq Yusuff dropped a unanimous decision to Marion Santos in what was his first fight at lightweight in the UFC (and first since 2017). The loss brings the 2018 Contender Series alum’s losing skid to a grand total of three. Sodiq is in a precarious position as he has not won since October of 2022 (against Don Shainis).
If Sodiq elects to stay at lightweight a solid next fight for him would be against Jared Gordon. Jared just fought on the preliminary card of UFC Vegas 106 and secured an impressive knockout victory over Thiago Moises. Gordon has now won two of his last three. Gordon has built up a solid name putting on hardnosed performances against tough opponents like Joe Solecki, Grant Dawson, Paddy Pimblett and Nasrat Haqparast. This fight would be great for both fighters as both guys get a solid name and opportunity to propel themselves into a matchup for a ranking, with a win.
Sodiq’s next fight: Jared Gordon
Dustin Stoltzfus
Nursulton Ruziboev topped Dustin Stoltzfus scoring a controversial unanimous decision win on Saturday. Stoltzfus has now lost three of his last five fights and is 3-6 in the UFC. Dustin is in some very violent fights and the 2020 Contender Series vet always brings the action. Stoltzfus could be in a bit of trouble of losing his roster spot with another loss. With that fact in mind, the perfect next opponent for him would be the loser of the Zach Reese vs Dusko Todrovic fight. That fight goes down on May 31st, so the timing would align nicely.
Zach Resse is a 2020 Contender Series alum that is 2-2 within the UFC. Reese was last in action back in January when he was stopped in the first round by Azamat Bekoev. Dusko Todorovic is a 2019 Contender Series vet that is 3-5 within the UFC. Todorovic was last in action last November when he was stopped in the first round by Mansur Abdul-Malik. Between all three men they have only beaten two men who are still with the UFC (Marc-Andre Barriault for Dustin and Jose Medina for Zach). Perfect fight to make as the loser will have a sub .500 UFC record and will definitely be fighting for their roster spot if they aren’t cut before that-which is a very real possibility.
Dustin’s next fight: Loser of Zach Reese vs Dusko Todorovic
Julian Erosa
Melquizael Costa defeated Julian Erosa in a competitive scrap to open the main card of UFC Vegas 106 on Saturday. The bout would go on to win fight of the night honors, landing both men 50k. However, the loss snaps Erosa’s three-fight win streak that saw him finish Ricardo Ramos, Christian Rodriguez and Darren Elkins, all in the first round.
Julian Ersoa should fight Andre Fili in his next fight. Somehow these two grizzled veterans have not squared off yet, if you can believe that. Fili, a 12 year UFC veteran is 12-11, 1 NC with the promotional giant. Fili has lost three of his last five, including his most recent bout against Melquizael Costa back in February. This would be a great scrap, likely an instant classic between two veterans with the winner scoring bragging rights and inching up in the mid tier of the division. The loser wont lose much stock at all as it’ll likely be a banger.
Julian’s next fight: Andre Fili
