Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
UFC 241 went down last night (Sat., Aug. 17, 2019) inside Honda Center, in Anaheim, Calif., featuring a night of thrilling fights that had everyone buzzing. The headlining act saw Stipe Miocic knockout Daniel Cormier in the fourth round to get revenge, and his title back (highlights). In the co-main event, Nate Diaz showed no ring rust after returning to the hurt business after three years away to defeat Anthony Pettis after fifteen minutes of action (highlights).
Winner: Stipe Miocic
Who He Should Face Next: Francis Ngannou or Daniel Cormier trilogy fight
After reclaiming his strap by knocking out an old foe, Stipe’s next title fight will likely come against another familiar face. Winner of three straight, all via first-round knockout, Ngannou has really turned it around after suffering the first two losses of his career, one of which came against Miocic back at UFC 220.
Francis didn’t have the best output that night, so he’d love nothing more than to get another crack at winning the strap. Of course, should Cormier decide to stick around in an attempt to go out on top, he should be granted a trilogy fight against Miocic. After all, “DC” did the same for him after he worked him over at UFC 226.
Winner: Nate Diaz
Who He Should Fight Next: Jorge Masvidal
Both men seem very interested in throwing down, so all that is left to do is for the promotion to come up with good enough numbers to please both sides. Masvidal isn’t going to get a title shot or Conor McGregor next, this much we know. As for Diaz, he threw everyone for a loop by calling out “Gamebred,” and not “Notorious.”
Despite Nate’s big win over Pettis, it will take a lot more to get him around a title shot. That said, it doesn’t seem as if the Stockton slugger is too worried about winning some hardware. He just wants the biggest fight, and at the moment, no one is hotter than Masvidal. If Diaz can take him out, it elevates his stock that much more which means his paydays will only get bigger and the matchups that much sweeter.
Winner: Paulo Costa
Who He Should Fight Next: Title shot
For my money, I’d like to see Paulo get the winner of Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, who are slated to throw down at UFC 243 on October 6, 2019. Following his win over Yoel Romero, Costa should move into the No. 4 or No. 5 spot on the official UFC rankings. In front of him will only be Jack Hermansson – who faces Jared Cannonier in September — as well as Kelvin Gastelum and Yoel. Of course, if Hermansson can take out Jared, he could have a case, too, which could lead to a title eliminator fight against “Borrachinha.”
Winner: Sodiq Yusuff
Who He Should Face Next: Luiz Eduardo Garagorri
Sodiq scored his third straight win inside the Octagon after knocking out Gabriel Benitez in the very first round, bringing his win streak total to five. Up next, a matchup against Garagorri seems fitting.
Luiz made his successful debut by defeating Humberto Bandenay just a few weeks ago at UFC Fight Night 156. Both men are looking to become the next rising prospect at 145 pounds, and by taking out the other, one man can raise his stock and move one more obstacle in his path. Both men have shown vast potential in their young UFC careers, and the future is bright for both. So why not have them face off next?
Winner: Derek Brunson
Who He Should Face Next: Ronaldo Souza rematch
Brunson scored his second straight win by outscoring Ian Heinisch, ending his five fight win streak. Up next for Brunson, I’m feeling a rematch against “Jacare.” The two men initially threw down in early 2018, with Souza scoring a first round knockout. The reason a rematch makes sense now, is due to their respective current runs and spots on the official UFC rankings. Ranked No. 5, Souza is looking for a rematch against Kelvin Gastleum, which simply doesn’t make sense at the moment, seeing as how Kelvin defeated him not more than a year ago. As for Derek (No. 8), he should get a good boost following his win. Still, no other top five foe makes sense for Brunson at the moment, and he isn’t going to keep looking backwards for a fight.
To get full play-by-play- updated and results from UFC 241: “Cormier vs Miocic 2” click here.