After a scintillating UFC 196: “McGregor vs. Diaz” event, MMAmania.com ponders what is next for the main card winners who picked up victories last Saturday night (March 5, 2016) on pay-per-view inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to the fight capital of the world last Saturday night (March 5, 2016) for the UFC 196: “McGregor vs. Diaz” pay-per-view event at the MGM Grand, featuring a thrilling Women’s Bantamweight title fight between Miesha Tate and Holly Holm, as well as a special Welterweight affair pitting Nate Diaz against Featherweight kingpin Conor McGregor.
In the main event, Diaz proved to be too much for McGregor, choking out “The Notorious” one in the second round of their “Fight of the Night” contest (highlights here). The win for Diaz could earn him a title shot next, while the loss for McGregor essentially guarantees he will return to Featherweight for the time being.
The co-main event was just as intriguing, as Miesha Tate became the new UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion by pulling off a come from behind submission victory over Holly Holm with just 90 seconds left in the fifth and final round.
Check out the highlights here.
With that quick recap of last night’s marquee bouts, it’s now time to play matchmaker with our “Next Matches To Make.”
Winner: Nate Diaz
Who Should He Fight Next: Rafael Dos Anjos
If you beat the king, shouldn’t you take his spot?
Nate Diaz has been a perennial contender in the UFC for nearly a decade, and just put away the cash cow and face of mixed martial arts (MMA) on just 11 days notice.
How could you not give him a title shot?
Having the Diaz brothers in the forefront of MMA is good for the sport, it is great for business, and fantastic for the fans.
Sure Diaz was already taken to school by Dos Anjos, but it was clear he was unmotivated for that fight, as he deemed the Brazilian a “nobody.”
With a belt on the line, you would have to believe Diaz would put everything into the rematch, and provide the fight many hoped we would have seen in their initial showdown.
Plus, who knows if UFC brass can even convince Diaz to ever return following his massive payday.
Dana White himself claimed he doesn’t know where Diaz will go from here.
The one way to ensure he steps back into the cage?
Give him the shot at gold.
Winner: Miesha Tate
Who Should She Fight Next: Holly Holm or Ronda Rousey
UFC’s Women Bantamweight division is absolutely wide open following Miesha Tate’s victory at UFC 196.
With Ronda Rousey apparently not returning any earlier than October, “Cupcake” could find herself rematching Holm at UFC 200 in just a few months.
The likely No. 1 option for UFC brass would be to set up the Rousey vs. Tate trilogy fight at UFC 200, but if that doesn’t happen, some other wildcards are in the mix as well.
Amanda Nunes didn’t do enough at UFC 196 in my mind to earn a shot at gold, but she is still an option.
The most unlikely option would be a rematch with Cat Zingano, who defeated Tate via TKO back in their respective UFC debuts in 2013.
Considering Zingano has been on the sidelines since her quick loss to Rousey at UFC 184, it isn’t likely she will be first in line for another shot at gold.
Expect to see Tate vs. Rousey once again.
Winner: Ilir Latifi
Who Should He Fight Next: Corey Anderson
Ilir Latifi and Corey Anderson came out victors at UFC 196 — albeit in unimpressive fashion — and the duo should face off against one another their next time out.
Anderson barely scraped by Tom Lawlor in an uneventful affair, while Latifi thoroughly handled Gian Villante via decision just one fight later.
Considering how shallow the Light Heavyweight division is, a few more wins for either man could position themselves to crack the top five.
I say match them up now, and see who deserves a spot in the division’s top 10.
Winner: Amanda Nunes
Who Should She Fight Next: Julianna Pena
Amanda Nunes had a great platform at UFC 196 to stake her claim as the No. 1 Women’s Bantamweight contender, but after limping to the finish line following a poor third round outing, it is unlikely “The Lioness” will be fighting for gold anytime soon.
Nunes’ performance will certainly keep her behind both Holm and Rousey in any title discussions, meaning she will likely have to take another fight before vying for UFC gold.
With Julianna Pena currently riding a three-fight win streak of her own, I believe UFC matchmakers will square them off in a No. 1 contender bout next.
For complete results from UFC 196: “McGregor vs. Diaz,” including play-by-play updates click here.