Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to action last night (Sat., April 15, 2017) for UFC on FOX 24: “Johnson vs Reis,” which took place inside Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, airing live on FOX. The promotion’s latest mixed martial arts (MMA) card was headlined by a Flyweight title fight that saw Demetrious Johnson hold on to his belt for a tenth straight time, defeating Wilson Reis to tie Anderson Silva’s longstanding record (see it). In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas destroyed Michelle Waterson to stake he claim as the next title challenger in the women’s 114-pound weight class (recap).
Winner: Demetrious Johnson
Who He Should Fight Next: Joseph Benavidez
It may not be a popular fight, but it’s the only one that makes sense for “Mighty Mouse” after taking out just about everyone in the division. Johnson already holds two wins over Benavidez, defeating him back in 2012 to win the 125-pound strap, then knocking him out a year later to retain the title. Joseph, however, has made great strides since the previous crushing defeat, winning six in a row to climb to the top of the rankings. And wouldn’t it make sense to have Johnson’s potential record-breaking title defense come against the man he defeated to win UFC’s first ever flyweight title fight?
Winner: Rose Namajunas
Who He Should Fight Next: Winner of Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Jessica Andrade
Namajunas, once again, spoiled a rising contender’s party by absolutely dominating Michelle Waterson in their strawweight matchup, choking out “The Karate Hottie” to secure her place as the leader in the title race. Company president Dana White agreed during the post-fight presser that “Thug Rose” was ready for a championship fight, so she will be an interested observer come May 13, as Joanna Jedrzejczyk defends her belt against Jessica Andrade at UFC 211 in Dallas, Texas.
Winner: Robert Whittaker
Who He Should Fight Next: Yoel Romero
There is no telling when and where Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre will collide for “The Count’s” Middleweight strap, which means the next contender after that (Yoel Romero) could be on the sideline for 10 to 12 months waiting for a shot at the strap. It simply doesn’t make sense, financially speaking, so why not get “Soldier of God” in there one more time in the interim? Whittaker wants his own shot at the strap, so a win over Romero will definitely get him there. I just don’t see these two guys wanting to wait for nearly a year to get a championship fight.
Winner: Renato Moicano
Who He Should Fight Next:
Moicano picked up the biggest win of his career by taking out Jeremy Stephens in the opening fight of the main card via split decision to remain undefeated (11-0, 3-0 UFC). But, Renato isn’t ranked at the moment, and he will likely need a few more big wins to get on people’s radar. That said, perhaps a showdown against #15 ranked Mile Jury is in order. Jury got back into the win column at UFC 210, and a showdown between these two talented strikers could steal the show on any fight card.
For complete UFC on FOX 24 results and coverage click here.