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Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer
UFC 308 marked the end of an era as two former champions were on the wrong end of marquee matchups against younger stars.
In the main event, BMF titleholder Max Holloway suffered the first knockout of his career by featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. In the co-main event, Khamzat Chimaev quickly disposed of Robert Whittaker via first-round submission to make his case for a shot at the middleweight belt next.
Also on the card, Magomed Ankalaev reestablished himself as a top contender for the light heavyweight championship with a unanimous decision win over Aleksandar Rakic, but does that automatically mean a fight with Alex Pereira is next?
With so many big names in action from this weekend’s pay-per-view, how should the future matchmaking play out after UFC 308?
Ilia Topuria, featherweight
Who should be next: Alexander Volkanovski
Everything worked out as it should, frankly. And that’s not always the case. Sometimes, guys wait around and certain contenders get passed over, but this has all made sense.
Volkanovski benefits from an extended time off. Holloway was an obvious choice for a title shot while Volkanovski took that much-needed layoff, and now, Volkanovski gets what he deserves: a rematch with Topuria, on a good timeframe. This is a massive fight. Topuria is the man to beat in this division and the sport as a whole. He’s become a star and a top pound-for-pound candidate overnight. Volkanovski is arguably the greatest featherweight of all time, and he might have just enough left to hand Topuria his first loss.
I envision this fight taking place in April.
Wild card: Diego Lopes
Lopes is the only one caught on the outside looking in right now, but that’s fine. He’s got plenty of fights ahead and his status within the division is secure. If he wants to wait for the winner of Topuria vs. Volkanovski 2, he’s earned that right. If he wants to stay active, then he should. It’s only a matter of time before Lopes fights for a UFC championship.
Max Holloway, featherweight
Who should be next: Dustin Poirier
This should happen next summer. Holloway now finds himself in a similar spot to the one he put Justin Gaethje in after UFC 300. Holloway will need some time off for his health. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him return at featherweight, though, as that has always been his preferred weight class. However, UFC 300 showed that Holloway is quite capable of competing at the top of the 155-pound division. Poirier has talked about wanting two more fights, and then retirement. I could see Poirier taking a fight in January against another lightweight, and then win or lose, fighting Holloway for the BMF belt in what would be the final appearance of his career. Maybe in New Orleans.
Wild card: Michael Chandler
Even if it’s not Poirier, I picture Holloway’s next appearance at lightweight. There’s already been talk about a BMF fight between him and Chandler. It would be a fun matchup, and the timing would likely line up, depending on what happens with Chandler’s fight against Charles Oliveira next month.
Khamzat Chimaev, middleweight
Who should be next: Winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland
There’s unfinished business with Du Plessis and Strickland. Strickland deserves to be rewarded for taking a fight with Paulo Costa back in June and winning. I don’t want to see Chimaev take a break, but it’s fine if he’s still a major part of the conversation at 185 pounds. Book Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 in February in Sydney, and bring Chimaev along to do media and get in the cage with the winner afterward.
Wild card: Dricus Du Plessis
Or the UFC could give Chimaev the title fight right now, which wouldn’t be the worst thing. Chimaev came out of UFC 308 healthy, and you could have him challenge Du Plessis next, considering it’s something we’ve been waiting on — just look at what he did to Robert Whittaker. I still prefer rewarding Strickland first, because that was made pretty clear ahead of his last fight. But the UFC could call an audible, and it would be understandable.
Robert Whittaker, middleweight
Who should be next: Caio Borralho
This is a tough one for Whittaker. He never even got out of neutral on Saturday. He’s far from what he wants now, a title fight. I don’t expect he’ll go anywhere, though. I expect Whittaker to get back on the horse and accept whatever fight he has to in order to start a comeback. The most likely name on that list is Borralho, who is close to showing he is title-ready. Considering the jaw injury he just suffered, it’s hard to say when Whittaker will be ready to go. We’ll need a timeline on that first, and then an opponent should become more clear.
Wild card: Shara Magomedov
“Shara Bullet” is coming off a sensational performance at UFC 308. Again, this will all depend on timing, but the UFC could allow Magomedov to jump the line and prove himself against a top-tier guy due to his popularity and fighting style.
Magomed Ankalaev, light heavyweight
Who should be next: Alex Pereira
Ankalaev was already the obvious title challenger before this fight, and the UFC bypassed in favor of Khalil Rountree Jr. earlier this month. That’s fine, as Rountree proved he was title-contender worthy and had never fought for the belt. Ankalaev tends to go to decisions and the UFC rewards finishes. It was surprising, nevertheless, and if anyone jumps Ankalaev in line now, it’s just a bad look all around.
Pereira is open to the fight. If the UFC doesn’t do it, that could tee him up for criticism. It’s not a boring fight, either. Ankalaev has a tricky standup style, and I’m curious how it matches up against Pereira. This is a terrific fight that fans — and the UFC — should be embracing.
Wild card: Tom Aspinall
Yes, Aspinall is a heavyweight, but the potential of him facing Pereira could affect Ankalaev’s next move. If Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic both retire after their fight at Madison Square Garden next month, the heavyweight division is going to be in serious need of a big storyline. It would feel very anticlimactic if the UFC just moved forward with Aspinall as the official champion — unless it’s immediately announced that Aspinall’s first title defense will come against Pereira. This is the only scenario in which I don’t see Ankalaev fighting Pereira next.