Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) staged UFC 20 last night (Sat., Feb. 27) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada featuring a Heavyweight bout which saw Ciryl Gane defeat Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a snoozer (recap here). In the co-main event Magomed Ankalaev defeated Nikita Krylov via unanimous decision (recap here).
Winner: Ciryl Gane
Who He Should Fight Next: Alexander Volkov or Derrick Lewis
The Heavyweight division has been very busy over the last few weeks, and things are finally starting to move along with the planned rematch between Stipe Miocic and and Francis Ngannou at UFC 260. That’s why there are very two big possibilities for Gane’s next opponent. A fight against Volkov makes all the sense in the world. Currently ranked No. 5 in the world “Drago” is riding a two fight win streak and is coming off a spectacular knockout win over Alistair Overeem. Curtis Blaydes will likely take some time off after his most recent knockout loss to Derrick Lewis, and “Black Beast” is in line to fight for the title after earning his fourth straight win, as well as the No. 2 spot. That’s where the uncertainty lies. If Lewis opts to wait for his shot — which could be a lengthy sit — then Volkov is the man to face Gane.
Winner: Magomed Ankalaev
Who He Should Fight Next: Johnny Walker
Ankalaev picked up his sixth straight win inside the Octagon after defeating Krylov, putting him on the fast track for bigger fights. Currently ranked No. 11, Ankalaev should be in the Top 10 come next week, and I am feeling a showdown against Johnny Walker. The towering Brazilian is coming off a first round knockout win over Ryan Spann, his first win since March 2019. He was in line to face Jimmy Crute at UFC 260 but was forced out with an injury.
Winner: Pedro Munhoz
Who She Should Fight Next: Marlon Moraes or Jose Aldo
Again, there is some uncertainty in the Bantamweight division at the moment, especially when it comes to Jose Aldo. Cody Garbrandt was in line for a shot at the men’s Flyweight strap, but after a rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno was booked, it put a wrench in those plans. So that means that another fight “No Love” has been pining for — a matchup against Jose Aldo — seems more likely to happen now. If that does indeed get booked, it spoils the matchup I’d like to see, which is Munhoz versus “Junior.” That leaves Marlon Moraes — ranked No. 5 — as the only viable option. The Top 3 at 135 pounds have their sites on UFC gold, so any of them are out of the question. While Moraes has lost two straight, he still holds a higher ranking than Munhoz and win over him would be a great notch on his resume.
Winner: Alex Caceres
Who He Should Face Next: Julian Erosa
Caceres picked up his fourth straight in inside the Octagon — the longest streak of his UFC career — after scoring an impressive victory over Kevin Croom. I think a fight against Julian Eros a next could be an entertaining scrap. “Juicy J” is coming off an highlight-producing knockout win over Nate Landwehr at UFC Vegas 19 (see it here), giving him his third straight win. Since the Featherweight division is pretty stacked when it comes to the Top 15, I don’t think “Bruce Leeroy’s” win over Croom will get him in. A win over Erosa might be what puts him over the top.
For complete UFC Vegas 20: “Gane vs. Rozenstruik” results and play-by-play, click HERE!