Matches To Make After UFC Saudi Arabia

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) made its monumental first trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this weekend (Sat., June 22, 2024) to stage the “Whittaker vs. Aliskerov”-led event, which saw Robert Whittaker defeat Ikram Aliskerov via first round knockout (watch highlights). In the co-main event, Alexander Volkov picked apart Sergei Pavlovich to walk away with a unanimous decision win (recap here).

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Biggest Winner: Robert Whittaker
Who He Should Face Next: Sean Strickland

After securing his second straight win, the only fight that makes sense for “The Reaper” is a title eliminator fight against Strickland. Sure, Strickland said he would hold out for a title shot, but he isn’t getting it. For now, champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his belt against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 on Aug. 17, 2024, in Perth, Australia, which would be a great spot to book Whittaker vs. Strickland in a five-round, co-main event.

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Winner: Alexander Volkov
Who He Should Face Next: Ciryl Gane rematch

After pulling off the upset win over his old training partner, things are looking up for Volkov, who has now won four straight fights, including three stoppages. This current win streak ties “Drago’s” longest inside the Octagon after kicking off his run with the promotion with four in a row back in 2016-2017. He should be overtaking the No. 3 spot next week, which sets him up for a potential scrap against Gane, the former interim 265-pound champion. Gane is coming off a knockout win over Serghei Spivac, but that was more than nine months ago. The promotion has plans to return to Paris, France, in September, which would be a perfect landing spot for this big man main event. Volkov lost to Gane back in 2021 via unanimous decision, so he would love to get this one back and insert himself into the championship picture.

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Winner: Kelvin Gastelum
Who He Should Face Next: Edmen Shahbazyan

Dana White is not happy with Gastelum after his latest weight issues even though he delivered an impressive performance against Daniel Rodriguez. Gastelum needed a win in the worst way because he was just 2-6 coming into the event. Gastelum needs to move up to Middleweight and stay there. As far as getting big fights, he needs to get some of the promotion’s love and respect back before that happens. That’s why a fight against Shahbazyan makes sense. It’s still a decent booking and Shabazyan is coming off a knockout win over A.J. Dobson earlier this year.

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Winner: Shara Magomedov
Who He Should Face Next: Rodolfo Vieira

Magomedov won’t be fighting stateside anytime soon ... and it likely won’t be against Bo Nickal, either. “Bullet” earned his second win inside the Octagon after eventually stopping Antonio Trocoli, who took the fight on short notice. Blatant fence grab aside, it was a nice showing for Shara, who improved to 13-0. Up next for the Dagestani, a showdown against Rodolfo Vieira sounds like fun. Listen, “Bullet” has the talent, but let’s not start making him out to be “the next big thing” just yet. It’s too soon and, to be honest, hasn’t done a whole lot yet to get a Top 15 foe just yet. Furthermore, it’s not like his win over a last-minute replacement shot his stock way up. Let him rack up a few more wins before he starts getting bigger and better competition. That said, Vieira is definitely a step up, though he isn’t in the Top 15 yet. He is on a two-fight win streak, 5-2 under the UFC banner and will definitely test Magomedov’s grappling skills.

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Winner: Volkan Oezdemir
Who He Should Face Next: Jan Blachowicz

Following his knockout win over Johnny Walker, Oezdemir called for fights against either Jamahal Hill or Jan Blachowicz, two solid options. I prefer a showdown against Blachowicz, who hasn’t competed in nearly a year following his loss to current division champion, Alex Pereira. Blachowicz hasn’t had his hand raised in victory since May 2022, so he needs one bad. Stopping “No Time’s” momentum would be a great confidence booster.

For complete UFC Saudi Arabia results, coverage and highlights, click HERE.