The UFC was back at the Apex after the fantastic pay-per-view, UFC 266. UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker kind of went under the radar, but it delivered with fun fights and performances. Prospects and contenders continue to emerge. There were five knockouts/TKOs, one submission, five decisions, and one no-contest.
Here are fights to make for the winners and losers of UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker
Thiago Santos
Lmao, man. If you had told me that Santos and Walker would fight a five-round fight and go to a decision, I would have told you to shut up. Well, it happened. Santos defeated Walker via unanimous decision. The win snapped his three-fight losing streak and saved his career. The fight didn’t win him any new fans, but a win is a win. For his next fight, he should fight Dominick Reyes, who is on a three-fight skid himself.
Kevin Holland & Kyle Daukaus
That was a wild sequence of events, and thankfully the UFC used replay. Daukaus landed an accidental headbutt which knocked Kevin Holland out. Holland woke right back up and continued to fight but was submitted. The fight was ruled a no-contest which I think is the right call. They should run the fight back in December at UFC 269.
Niko Price
Well… the fight didn’t live up to the hype, but Price defeated Alex Oliveria via unanimous decision. The win snapped his losing streak and put him back in the win column. This was an important fight, and it was the first fight on his new contract. Khaos Williams would be an epic next fight for Price. The winner of that contest could get a ranked opponent next.
Krzysztof Jotko
Jotko spoiled Misha Cirkunov’s middleweight debut by defeating him via split decision. Jotko got back into the win column after getting his win streak snapped in May. He was in the top 15 rankings last year, and I believe he should get a shot at a ranked opponent. Uriah Hall, who is coming off a main event loss, should be the one to face Jotko next. It was would be a rematch from 2017.
Alexander Hernandez
Hernandez got back into the win column by starching UFC newcomer Mike Breeden in less than two minutes. I’ll keep this short and sweet. After the fight, Hernandez said he wants to be rebooked with Leonardo Santos, who he was initially supposed to fight. I agree that is the fight to make.
Jared Gordon
Gordon was successful in his return to lightweight as he handed Joe Solecki his first UFC loss. ‘Flash’ is now on a two-fight win streak and looked a lot healthier back at 155 lbs. Gordon called Paddy Pimblett out after the fight, saying he beat his teammate Chris Fishgold and he will beat him too. I like it. Pimblett accepted the fight via his Twitter. Book it UFC.
Casey O’Neill
O’Neill finished Antonina Shevchenko via TKO in the second round. ‘King’ Casey is for real. Three fights in the octagon, three finishes, and now she added a former top 15 fighter to her resume. She could definitely show up in the rankings come Tuesday too. I have to opponents for her next. The UFC could do a prospect vs. prospect by doing O’Neill vs. Miranda Maverick, or they could give her a veteran like Roxanne Modafferi. Both are good fights for her.
Karol Rosa
Rosa defeated Bethe Correia in her retirement fight via unanimous decision. I don’t know why the UFC booked this fight, to be honest. I’m guessing it was for Rosa to have a notable name on her resume. Nevertheless, the Brazilian needs a big step up in competition for her next fight. No. 9 ranked Sara McMann would be a great next fight
Jamie Mullarkey
Mullarkey finished Devonte Smith in the second round via TKO. That is the Australian’s second finish in a row after losing his first two UFC fights. Mullarkey is quickly becoming a must-watch fighter because he brings it every single time. There are so many fun matchups for Mullarkey at lightweight. I hope the UFC rebooks Mullarkey vs. Jalin Turner as they were supposed to fight in 2020. Guaranteed fireworks.
Douglas Silva de Andrade
Andrade knocked out Gaetano Pirrello in the first round to get back in the win column. The Brazilian was known for knocking people out before he got to the UFC, and he finally showed it at UFC Vegas 38. Andrade fought most of his UFC career at bantamweight but did a two-fight featherweight run in his last two fights. He went back to bantamweight tonight, so that’s where I will place him for his next matchup. When Nathaniel Wood’s hand gets healed, a fight with Andrade would be incredible.
Stephanie Egger
Egger picked up her first UFC win as she defeated Shana Young via TKO. The Swiss fighter is now 1-1 in the UFC. She should fight Bea Malecki next. Malecki is coming off her first professional loss.
Alejandro Perez
Perez submitted Johnny Eduardo via a beautiful scarf hold armlock. The win snaps Perez’s two-fight losing streak, which saved his job. The UFC veteran was out of action for two years but looked good in his win. A fellow Ultimate Fighter Alumni, Brady Hiestand, would be an exciting fight for Perez and a classic rookie vs. veteran matchup.
Johnny Walker – Jimmy Crute vs. Jamahal Hill Winner
Alex Oliveira – Dhiego Lima
Misha Cirkunov – Makhmud Muradov
Mike Breeden – Luigi Vendramini
Joe Solecki – Clay Guida
Antonina Shevchenko – Erin Blanchfield
Bethe Correia – Retirement
Devonte Smith – Christos Giagos
Gaetano Pirrello – Outside of the UFC
Shana Young – Outside of the UFC or Julija Stoliarenko (loser gets cut)
Johnny Eduardo – Outside of the UFC