UFC brought us two events prior to UFC 200. Ultimate Fight Night 90 and The Ultimate Fighter Season 23 finale came your way in the days before the massive pay-per-view.
On Thursday, the UFC crowned a new lightweight champion when Eddie Alvarez ousted Rafael dos Anjos inside the first round. The spectacular performance saw a dream realized for a young man from Philadelphia and helped to end the reign of the last remaining Brazilian champion.
Friday also had a title contest. Strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk bested rival Claudia Gadelha in a hard-fought five-round battle. The champion remains the shining star of the division.
The two weekday events were not light on action. Twenty-four combined fights took place between the two events, and there was a lot to break down. As with any event, the questions quickly shift to who the winners and losers should fight next. And that is exactly what we are here to pontificate about.
There is a bevy of options at the feet of the UFC matchmakers. Which way will they go? No one knows, but here are the matchups they should be eyeing as the 2016 campaign rolls forward. These are the matches to make for every winner and loser from the fight week’s first two events.