A sold-out TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts was host to the first PPV of the year. The heavyweight and light heavyweight titles were on the line and some fantastic fights came beforehand. Let’s take a look at UFC 220 and see what fights could be next for the winners of the fantastic card.
Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev faced a very tough opponent in Gleison Tibau, Makhachev was able to extend his win streak in the UFC to three as he knocked out cold the favourite Tibau in just 57 seconds of the very first round.
David Teymur could find himself standing toe to toe with Makhachev. Both guys on a nice win streak making this fight a ladder to a ranked opponent for the victor of the fight. And with a fight night in Russia announced for September and both guys being European I’m sure they would be eager to get on the card and make their mark.
Enrique Barzola
Enrique Barzola also extended his win streak to three in this fight against Matt Bessette, Barzola never really seemed to be in any trouble and was in relative control throughout the contest. The judge’s decision was unanimous in favour of El Fuerte.
Chas Skelly would make a great fight for Barzola. El Fuerte deserves a higher sort of opponent after this performance and Skelly coming off a loss to Jason Knight fits the bill perfectly.
Julio Arce
Julio Arce made his debut in the UFC after putting on a great performance on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. He fought fellow newcomer Dan Ige. It was a fairly comfortable fight for Arce and it was no surprise when Bruce Buffer announced the judges had scored the fight in favour of Arce.
Wang Guan makes sense as Arce next opponent, both new, both won their first fight in the UFC. Put them together and see what happens.
Dustin Ortiz
Dustin Ortiz emerged victorious in a very tough fight against Alexandre Pantoja. The first round was all Pantoja as Ortiz looked like he had no answers to the questions being asked of him by The Cannibal. Whatever the guys from Roufusport said to the American after the first round worked wonders as a different Ortiz stepped out for rounds two and three. These dominant rounds for was enough for the judges to give Ortiz the victory.
Wilson Reis is coming off the back of two hard losses to Demetrious Johnson and Henry Cejudo so Reis’ #6 ranking will be appealing to ranked #10 Ortiz. UFC 224 in May will be in Brazil, so this fight could happen in Rio.
Abdul Razak Alhassan
For the second time in two months, Abdul Razak Alhassan has fought Sabah Homasi. After a controversial judges stoppage in the first fight, Alhassan was eager to prove that his victory was no fluke. Three minutes into the first round Alhassan landed an uppercut from the depths of his soul to Homasi’s jaw. Homasi was out cold before he hit the floor. Judo Thunder found himself victorious again, but this time nobody can take the win away from him.
Alex Garcia makes the most sense for Judo Thunder. Garcia coming off a victory in his last fight and needs an opponent and Alhassan fits the bill quite nicely.
Kyle Bochniak
Kyle Bochniak won his fight in an unspectacular performance against Brandon Davis by unanimous decision. Not much more to say about this fight really.
Ryan Hall needs an opponent, and I feel this would make a much more interesting fight. Make it happen Dana!
Rob Font
The fight between Rob Font and Thomas Almeida kicked off the main card and it did not disappoint. Both fighters known for their stand up skills and it would have been a shock if this fight made its way to the judges. But in the second round Font landed a head kick and followed it up with some beautiful pinpoint punches to secure the TKO victory.
A rematch with John Lineker to avenge his loss would surely interest Font and I think he has earned the opportunity after this performance
Gian Villante
Gian Villante faced Francimar Barroso in this fight, Villante was throwing the bombs we are all used to seeing and Barroso offered little to combat this. A fairly easy decision victory for Villante.
Khalil Rountree would make a great opponent for Villante, similar styles and both fighters needing a win to fight better opponents makes them a perfect match.
Calvin Katter
Not many people saw Calvin Katter beating Shane Burgos but he did, and he did in some fashion. In a very entertaining fight, it was Katter that stepped up and decided he was not going to let the judges decide the verdict for this fight. 32 seconds into the third and last round Katter TKO’d Burgos leaving many surprised.
Jason Knight would make an ideal opponent for Katter. Although Knight has lost his last two fights his still highly regarded as one of the UFC‘s top prospects and a victory for Katter would give him a shot at someone in featherweight rankings for sure.
Daniel Cormier
The Co-Main event saw light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier go toe to toe with Volkan Oezdemir. Both fighters were swinging haymakers and landing but neither fighter was taking control until DC took Oezdemir down and sunk in a choke. Fortunately for Oezdemir the bell rang both fighters returned to their corners. The second round began and DC took no time down again, the difference in skill level on the ground was clear as Cormier got Oezdemir in a crucifix and just laid ground and pound upon the Swiss. A TKO victory for the 205lb champ.
Alexander Gustafsson is surely next. Gustafsson coming off the back of his best performance to date against Glover Teixeira in may of 2017 and will be eager to get a rematch with DC. Gustafsson has undergone surgery but should be back to full fitness very soon.
Stipe Miocic
The main event saw heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic face the killer Francis Ngannou. Miocic was the underdog in this fight due to Ngannou decorating the octagon with his earlier opponents. The first round was the only round the champ was in any danger as Ngannou’s cardio failed him drastically. Ngannou needing an oxygen mask was dominated for the following 4 rounds. Miocic just controlled the beast for 20 minutes either in the clinch of holding Ngannou down on the floor.
Post fight with Joe Rogan Daniel Cormier announced that the return of Cain Velasquez was imminent by the end of the year. So with this in mind Miocic vs Velasquez would be the fight to make. I don’t think anyone would be able to complain about that fight!
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