-
Brett Okamoto
Multiple Authors
Alexander Volkanovski silenced any doubts regarding his previous victory over Diego Lopes, decisively defeating Lopes again at UFC 325 in Sydney on Saturday. With that matter settled, all eyes now shift to potential challengers for Volkanovski. Two contenders stand out, but they may need to face off against each other first.
With their own significant victories, lightweights Benoît Saint Denis, Mauricio Ruffy, and Quillan Salkilld have taken important strides toward joining the division’s elite ranks. Fortunately for them, there are plenty of matchmaking possibilities in the 155-pound category. Here’s a look at their likely next opponents following UFC 325.
Alexander Volkanovski, featherweight champion
Who should be next: Winner of Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy
While the UFC has yet to confirm a matchup between Evloev and Murphy, it’s a strong likelihood and seems reasonable at this juncture. Volkanovski favors quick turnarounds; however, at 37 years old, it would be wise for him to take a breather before diving back into training. To ensure his next title defense is as significant as possible, Evloev and Murphy should really secure a victory first. Both fighters merit a title shot, but neither has proven particularly captivating lately. A match between them might yield a genuinely exciting No. 1 contender.
Wild card: Evloev
If Volkanovski aims for a fight within months, he’ll require a challenger. even with not having fought for over a year, Evloev is the No. 1 contender, and Volkanovski is eager to battle him.
Diego Lopes, featherweight
Who should be next: Yair Rodriguez
There’s notable tension between these two, stemming from a news conference last spring where Lopes and Rodriguez clashed regarding Lopes’ Mexican heritage. While Rodriguez has struggled to maintain activity in his career and is currently dealing with a hand injury, if he can return to action in a reasonable timeframe, this matchup is undoubtedly the one to make.
Wild card: Winner of Josh Emmett vs. Kevin Vallejos on March 14
Especially if Vallejos manages to defeat Emmett. Vallejos has shown his prowess with knockouts in two of his first three UFC bouts. If he were to knock out Emmett in his inaugural UFC main event, the organization would face significant pressure to promote him to the division’s upper tier. A fight between Lopes and Vallejos would certainly excite fans, featuring two of the division’s hardest hitters. That said, a matchup between Lopes and Emmett would also work. At 40 years old, Emmett is eager to make significant moves without delay. If he halts the momentum behind Vallejos, elevating him to a major opportunity makes sense, considering he’s on borrowed time.
Benoît Saint Denis, lightweight
Who should be next: Arman Tsarukyan
Anything short of a title shot feels like a disservice to Tsarukyan, though that’s the position he finds himself in. Given the current situation, Saint Denis is similarly situated; it wouldn’t be logical for him to fight lower-ranked opponents solely to remain active. This scenario isn’t ideal for either fighter. The entire division is congested, with champion Ilia Topuria on a hiatus, the interim title at play, and two heavyweights—Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway—still among the top 5. if not Saint Denis and Tsarukyan are willing to wait, they’ll need to keep competing, and this matchup clearly makes the most sense.
Wild card: Winner of Oliveira vs. Holloway at UFC 326
This potential fight is uncertain since Oliveira or Holloway likely won’t have any interest in it. though the UFC occasionally mandates matchups, it’s doubtful they’d push this one. The victor of the BMF title fight at UFC 326 will certainly seek a more substantial fight than Saint Denis; however, depending on the outcome, they may have no choice. Saint Denis was wise to target the BMF winner in his post-fight remarks.
Mauricio Ruffy, lightweight
Who should be next: Michael Chandler
This suggestion weighs heavily on me, as Chandler deserves better. It’s evident. He played his cards perfectly aiming for a matchup with Conor McGregor, but McGregor delayed, diminishing some of his built momentum. Is it “right” for the UFC to set Chandler against McGregor? Yes, it is. Are there other compelling matchups for McGregor? Absolutely. If Chandler fails to secure the matchup with McGregor, he’s likely facing a dangerous opponent like Ruffy, who has more to gain from the clash than Chandler. though this may seem unfair to Chandler, it represents a significant opportunity for Ruffy. even with losing to Benoît Saint Denis last year, Ruffy possesses immense potential, and this type of fight could propel his popularity.
Wild card: Beneil Dariush
Ruffy has called out names like McGregor and Paddy Pimblett, which is astute and could become a reality. but, at this moment, I don’t expect either of them to step up. so, if Ruffy can’t land any of these high-profile fighters (including Chandler), his next best move is to further establish himself against seasoned competitors in the division. Dariush, even as he approaches the twilight of his career, is a well-respected name. He needs to protect his ranking, and Ruffy is among those making a name for themselves.
Quillan Salkilld, lightweight
Who should be next: Manuel Torres
The hype surrounding a single fight can be tremendous, right? It’s challenging to manage expectations for an emerging talent like Salkilld. He is a versatile finisher with significant charisma and has excelled under pressure. The UFC has numerous matchmaking options for him and may opt for a cautious approach. Personally, I’d favor not delaying his rise. A matchup with another dynamic finisher like Torres would be thrilling and could even headline an event. Torres has a record of 5-1 in the UFC with five first-round knockouts. The UFC continually seeks new stars, and one way or another, this matchup would yield a rising star.
Wild card: Jalin Turner
Not too long ago, Turner was considered a potential title contender. He experienced a rough patch, losing four of five fights and briefly “retiring” before returning to success in December against Edson Barboza. Is Turner genuinely back and poised to make a run, or has he come back too soon, less than a year after contemplating leaving MMA? A fight like this could clarify his future aspirations.
