The showdown between Santos vs. Teixeira (Thiago Santos and Glover Teixeira) has been a long time in the making, with both fighters being diagnosed with COVID-19 at different times, but they were finally able to make the walk on Saturday night. The winner of this fight would undoubtedly be the next man to take aim at the Light Heavyweight champion (the winner between Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya), making this card one of the most highly anticipated of the year. The main card was stacked with talent, so let us take a look at who could be next for these great fighters.
Claudia Gadelha vs. Felice Herrig
Claudia Gadelha has had her fair share of questionable decision wins, but there was no denying that she was dominated by Yan Xiaonan. Gadelha managed to have her moments briefly on the ground and against the cage, but she gassed out in the first round, and she paid the price for it down the stretch. With Felice Herrig coming off of a three fight losing streak, it makes sense for the two women to fight in order to see who can get back into the winner’s circle.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Carla Esparza
Yan Xiaonan has proven to be the brightest star in the Strawweight division since Weili Zhang, and has somewhat of the same style. Passing every test that has been thrown her way, it’s time for her to take a step up in competition, like against staunch wrestler and former champion Carla Esparza. Esparza is a tough out for any fighter in the division, and the winner of this fight could likely even fight for the title.
Jamey Simmons vs. Eduardo Garagorri
Jamey Simmons had a slight amount of hype in his UFC debut, but he sadly drew the dynamic Giga Chikadze, and got knocked out because of it. Someone else who was hyped upon their UFC arrival is Eduardo Garagorri, who came into the promotion undefeated despite his current losing streak. This is the kind of fight that decides who stays in the promotion, and those are usually the types of fights that are the most exciting.
Giga Chikadze vs. Jeremy Stephens
After five straight wins, four of which came in 2020, Giga Chikadze decided to call out perennial contender and heavy puncher Jeremy Stephens. A rule of thumb for post fight callouts is that if you say the right name, you should get that fight, and this fight makes a ton of sense. Giga is surging in the division, while Stephens is debatably on his way to retirement, making this a changing of the guard that would undoubtedly end in a knockout.
Khalid Taha vs. Anthony Birchak
Khalid Taha managed to make it to the final bell against Raoni Barcelos, but also managed to get brutalized for every second of the fight. Taha has been spotty in his UFC career, has been unable to string together wins and make weight successfully, and has truly been unable to achieve his full potential. Anthony Birchak has had some of the same inconsistencies, and with both men losing on the same night, it makes sense to have them battle it out.
Raoni Barcelos vs. Gustavo Lopez
Raoni Barcelos has looked great in his UFC career, thoroughly dominating all of the competition he has faced. However, he just has not fought the best fighters in the Bantamweight division. Gustavo Lopez would be able to give Barcelos a run for his money, and while he will definitely not be the favorite, he may just have what it takes to derail this hype train.
Tanner Boser vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Despite a surge of wins and knockouts that propelled him into the rankings at one point, Tanner Boser just could not figure out the puzzle that was Andrei Arlovski. However, he has passed every other test with flying colors, and could easily go back to knocking out half of the division. Marcos Rogerio de Lima has heavy hands, and he could finish most people in the division, making the likelihood of this fight ending by knockout increase tenfold.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Alexander Romanov
It was thought that Tanner Boser would be the next guy to beat Andrei Arlovski and became a divisional star, but Arlovski managed to ruin that dream for him tonight. However, Alexander Romanov from the prelims may be that next fighter. Romanov has a spotless record, has yet to face any true adversity in the Octagon, and a fight with Arlovski could either put him in the rankings or let Andrei get another huge win on his record.
Thiago Santos vs. Dominick Reyes
Although he did get finished by submission, Thiago Santos more than likely broke a bone in Glover Teixeira’s face, and he did everything in his power to get him out of the fight. Santos does not seem like a loser in any way after such a strong performance, and should be kept towards the top of the division. Dominick Reyes is coming off of a title shot, and a win against him would put Santos right back into the title fight waiting line.
Glover Teixeira vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Unfortunately for Glover Teixeira, Jan Blachowicz is already matched up against Israel Adesanya, meaning that he will likely have to fight at least one more young up-and-comer. That hungry competitor has to be Aleksandar Rakic, who has gone on a tear through the division. The winner of Rakic vs. Teixeira would have to be the next challenger for the title, and while Teixeira is more skilled, anything can happen when it comes to power like what Rakic possesses.
