Five fights we need to see after UFC 285

Photo via UFC (Twitter)

This Saturday’s UFC 285 turned out to be the best numbered event of the year so far. And with two new champions – as well as contenders climbing in the rankings – there are a lot of interesting fights to book.

Let’s take a closer look at five fights UFC needs to make!

Bo Nickal vs. Jun Yong Park

Bo Nickal. Photo via Instagram (@nobickal1)

Will UFC give the hyped newcomer Bo Nickal a fast track to the top like Khamzat Chimaev or build him up slowly like Paddy Pimblett?

In my book, the UFC should put the effective wrestler to the test and let him square off against Jun Yong Park, who’s riding a three-fight winning streak. If Nickal is as good as he – and everyone else thinks – he should be ready for a tougher opponent.

Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dustin Poirier

Mateusz Gamrot. Photo via Instagram: (@mateusz_gamrot)

After taking high-risk bouts on short notice, No. 7 ranked Mateusz Gamrot will probably make a case for a higher ranked opponent next.

The only top five opponent who’s not scheduled for a fight is No. 2 ranked Dustin Poirier, who’s coming off a win against Michael Chandler in November.

However, Gamrot has quite possibly more to gain in that fight than ”The Diamond”, who might want a money fight or a title fight instead of the hungry contender.

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad

Photo via Instagram (@shavkatrakhmonov94)

Undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov carries on with his rampage in the welterweight division with another massive stoppage win in his biggest tests of his career.

Let’s put Rakhmonov in the cage against No. 4 ranked winning-machine Belal Muhammad, who hasn’t been finished since November 2016, and see if he can continue his unbeaten streak.

Alexa Grasso vs. Erin Blanchfield

Photo via UFC (Twitter)

Since I never been a fan of the immediate rematches, I rather see newly crowned flyweight champion Alexa Grasso face up-and-coming prospect Erin Blanchfield in her first title defense.

However, the rest of the world probably see the Valentina Shevchenko rematch as a no-brainer, given her dominant and lengthy reign as champ, but why not let her fight No. 1 Manon Fiorot before she’ll get a chance to fight for the belt again?

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

Jon ”Bones” Jones. Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No doubt about it, this is the heavyweight fight to make!

Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic, MMA fans and UFC president Dana White all agree that this is the fight they want to see.

The promotion recently revealed that International Fight Week will take place from July 3 to July 9, and culminate with UFC 290 at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday July 8.

Let’s have Jones make his first heavyweight title defense in Las Vegas.

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