On demand: Fights we need to see after UFC 280!

UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Photo via Twitter (UFC)

Click ”Next” to check out fights to make after last Saturday’s massive UFC 280!

Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush

Islam Makhachev. Photo: Per Haljestam – USA TODAY Sports

Instead of facing dominant featherweight king Alexander Volkanovksi, let’s put the new champion up against Beneil Dariush instead. With eight straight wins against stiff competition, Dariush should rightfully be getting the next title shot.

However, fighting Volkanovski at UFC 284 in his home turf in Australia is of course the most marketable fight to make. Especially since ”Volk” is No. 1 on the pound-for-pound list.

“I have a new target,” Makhachev said at the post-fight press conference. “I have to be No. 1 pound-for-pound champion. That’s why I have to go to Australia and beat this guy.”

Beneil Dariush vs. Makhachev or Oliveria

Beneil Dariush. Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports

Since the promotion likely will book Makhachev against Volkanovski, Beneil Dariush could possibly need one more win, or sit on the side until mid-2023, before getting his shot at the lightweight gold.

However, if he chooses to fight, a win against former champion Charles Oliveira would once and for all cement Dariush’s status as the next title contender.

Sean O’Malley vs. Aljamain Sterling

Sean O’Malley. Photo via Twitter (UFC)

Sean O’Malley shook up the world when he defeated No. 1 ranked bantamweight Petr Yan via a debated split decision at UFC 280. Is ”Sugar” ready for a title fight or should the young fighter face another top ranked opponent before getting his shot at the gold?

Marketing-wise, there is no other bantamweight that makes more sense to put in front of the unpopular champion Aljamain Sterling.  And considering ”Aljo” defeated No. 1 ranked Yan, No. 2 ranked Dillashaw and No. 4 ranked Sandhagen – and is a teammate of No. 3 ranked Merab Dvalishvili – O’Malley or No. 5 ranked Marlon Vera is pretty much the only fights that makes sense.

Belal Muhammad vs. Covington or Chimaev

Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports and Stefan Romare

With the massive performance against Sean Brady, Belal Muhammad could quite possibly be one win away from a title shot.

If the rumored fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington won’t happen, No. 5 ranked Muhammad should face either Covington or Chimaev next.

Manon Fiorot vs. Valentina Shevchenko

Manon Fiorot and Valentina Shevchenko. Photo via Twitter

France’s Manon Fiorot must be considered the next flyweight title challenger since defeating No. 1 ranked Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 280. The dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko has no fight booked, and Fiorot rides a 10-fight winning streak, so this fight must be the next to make.

However, Fiorot seems in no rush, wanting to face No. 5 ranked Alexa Grasso, instead of going for the title straight away.

”Alexa talked about the winner of the fight of Katlyn against me, so. I want to fight Alexa and after think about Valentina,” Fiorot said at the UFC 280 post-fight press conference.

UFC 280 – Official results

Main card

• Lightweight title bout: Islam Makhachev def. Charles Oliveira via submission, round 2
• Bantamweight title bout: Aljamain Sterling def. T.J. Dillashaw via TKO (punches), round 2
• Bantamweight: Sean O’Malley def. Petr Yan via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Lightweight: Beneil Dariush def. Mateusz Gamrot via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Women’s Flyweight: Manon Fiorot def. Katlyn Chookagian via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary card

• Welterweight: Belal Muhammad def. Sean Brady via TKO (punches), round 2
• Middleweight: Caio Borralho def. Makhmud Muradov (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov def. Volkan Oezdemir via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Welterweight: Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Middleweight: Armen Petrosyan def. A.J. Dobson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Flyweight: Muhammad Mokaev def. Malcolm Gordon via submission (armbar), round 3
• Women’s Bantamweight: Karol Rosa def. Lina Länsberg via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

Read more: Full UFC 282 fight card revealed: Return of Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson

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