Winner: Alex Pereira
Who He Should Face Next: Carlos Ulberg
Sorry, Jiri, but you will not be getting a third fight against Pereira. While there first two fights were entertaining, Pereira won them both via knockout. That’s why it’s time to put some fresh blood in there … and Ulberg fits the bill perfectly. “Black Jag” is currently on a nine-fight win streak and is fresh off a scary knockout win over Dominick Reyes just last month (see it again here), further solidifying his spot atop the championship picture. This is the fight to make, unless “Poatan” decides to move up to Heavyweight and make some noise there.
Winner: Merab Dvalishvili
Who He Should Face Next: Petr Yan rematch … I guess?
With the lopsided win over Sandhagen, Dvalishvili is getting closer to cleaning out the Top 5 of the division, which means unfortunately for the Georgian he is running out of fresh meat to fight. That’s why a rematch against Yan might be next for him, since “No Mercy” is on a three-fight win streak since losing to Merab back in March 2023. If Sean O’Malley can get an immediate rematch after losing to Dvalishvili, then Yan can get one after racking up three straight victories, unless the promotion wants to give Song Yadong — who is ranked No. 5 — a shot?
Winner: Jiri Prochazka
Who He Should Face Next: Magomed Ankalaev
While an impressive comeback, Prochazka’s win over Rountree simply wasn’t good enough to warrant a third title fight against Pereira, especially since he was knocked out in the two previous contests. That’s why perhaps a fight against Ankalaev seems appropriate. It’s actually a good bounce back fight for both men because they have each lost to “Poatan” and if they want to get another crack at the belt, then they have to face each other to get there. It’s that simple.
Winner: Youssef Zalal
Who He Should Face Next: Arnold Allen
Zalal pushed his win streak to eight in a row, which includes going perfect (5-0) inside the Octagon following his submission win over Josh Emmett (video replay here), who loses his second in a row and drops to 1-5 in his last six bouts. Zalal will creep a bit closer to the Top 5, as he is currently sitting in the No. 9 spot. Up next, a fight against Allen seems appropriate. Allen is currently ranked No. 6 in the division and is coming off a unanimous decision win over Giga Chikadze.
Winner: Joe Pyfer
Who He Should Face Next: Ikram Aliskerov
Pyfer improved his win streak to three in a row after submitting Abus Magomedov in the second round with a painful face crank (see it again here). He is now 6-1 inside the Octagon and slowly making his way toward a Top 15 ranking. Up next, perhaps a fight against Aliskerov is in order. Alikserov is currently seeded No. 15 in the division, even though he is just 3-1 with the promotion. And that’s the reason I have trouble understanding the rankings. Pyfer is 6-1 and he can’t get a spot, but Aliskerov can? Let’s put them up against each other to see who deserves to have that last spot.
