UFC 306 noticed the crowning of two new champions: Merab Dvalishvili made good on his first title shot, whereas Valentina Shevchenko re-ascended the flyweight throne.
Dvalishvili largely received the higher of bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who was seeking to make his second title protection. Shevchenko defeated Alexa Grasso to push the trilogy to 1-1-1.
UFC title footage have usually been unpredictable currently, however each Dvalishvili and Shevchenko seem to have their subsequent opponents locked in. Let’s analyze what is probably going subsequent for the brand new champions.
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Dvalishvili placed on a extra dominant exhibiting towards O’Malley than two judges’ scorecards indicated in his 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 win over the previous champion. A direct rematch is probably going not on the horizon, both, as Nurmagomedov put in himself because the rightful title contender after his win over Cory Sandhagen in a title eliminator. Nurmagomedov is at the moment ranked No. 2 at bantamweight, and although the rankings haven’t been up to date since Dvalishvili’s win over O’Malley, “Sugar” will probably stay No. 1.
Dvalishvili, talking with reporters after UFC 306, has known as for a battle with No. 5, nonetheless: former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo could be a worthy contender, having overwhelmed Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Vera since his transfer as much as bantamweight. “The Machine” stated he’d wish to see Nurmagomedov battle former champ Petr Yan subsequent. Yan has known as for a rematch with O’Malley after arising on the brief finish of a controversial break up resolution. So, bantamweight has some issues to kind out.
Nurmagomedov will probably get the subsequent shot – he’s Dagestani and delights a market the UFC has more and more (and efficiently) been making an attempt to seize. He has a win over the No. 4-ranked bantamweight in Sandhagen.
One can see Dvalishvili’s frustration, nonetheless: Sandhagen is the one top-15 bantamweight that Nurmagomedov has defeated, whereas Dvalishvili needed to undergo a assassin’s row of ranked bantamweights and former champions to get his title shot. Legitimate. However part of that was additionally Aljamain Sterling, Dvalishvili’s finest pal and coaching accomplice, had held the belt and made a number of title defenses earlier than O’Malley defeated him.
Nurmagomedov has ascended on the proper time. And most significantly, Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov is the battle most followers wish to see. Ultimately, that could be all it takes.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot
Let’s begin with the actual fact the trilogy between Shevchenko and Grasso is 1-1-1. Grasso getting a rematch would usually be inside the realm of risk. In contrast to Shevchenko, although, Grasso didn’t take pleasure in a protracted title reign earlier than her loss, and “Bullet” received on the judges’ scorecards 50-45 x3 after the pair drew within the rematch. Grasso did good work off her again, coming near submitting Shevchenko for the second time. However Shevchenko escaped every time and received the battle on prime management.
Shevchenko informed ESPN’s Megan Olivi that Manon Fiorot, 7-0 within the UFC, has been ready in line “for a very long time already” and folks could not wish to see the quadrilogy with Grasso.
The Frenchwoman has wins over Erin Blanchfield, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, and former flyweight title challengers Katlyn Cerminara and Jennifer Maia. Fiorot has assembled a powerful resume at 125 kilos by beating a who’s who of gifted flyweights, and having already defeated Blanchfield in what many thought-about a title eliminator, mustn’t should battle once more earlier than her crack at gold. Whether or not Shevchenko or Grasso had received, Fiorot combating the winner appeared like a foregone conclusion. Shevchenko’s unanimous win made the choice simpler.
That stated, Grasso ought to completely be one win away from one other title shot given her win and draw with Shevchenko. If Grasso have been to beat Blanchfield or Maycee Barber in a rematch, then one other crack at gold is her’s to assert.
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