After another weekend trip to the Apex Center, it’s time to pair up the main card winners from UFC Vegas 79, like Mateusz Gamrot and Bryce Mitchell, for their eventual returns to the Octagon.
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Mateusz Gamrot vs. Michael Chandler
Mateusz Gamrot and Rafael Fiziev were supposed to be a chess match displaying an extremely high level of skill among the absolute best the UFC lightweight division has to offer. That’s exactly what we got for one round as Mateusz Gamrot and Rafael Fiziev nullified one another’s strengths. Unfortunately, a second round that should have been filled with adjustments and two men rising to the occasion ended in an injury for Fiziev.
Even though it didn’t happen the way he intended, Mateusz Gamrot has the W and should be matched up appropriately. Gamrot’s desire to face Charles Oliveira sounds great but the Do Bronx is busy preparing for his rematch with champion Islam Makhachev.
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But in the meantime, let’s stop pretending that Conor McGregor is fighting Michael Chandler. The former Bellator champion would not be a spectacular matchup, it would also give “Gamer” the chance to enter the top five of the division. Chandler was submitted by Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 last November.
Bryce Mitchell vs. Brian Ortega
Bryce Mitchell’s decision win over Dan Ige felt like a return to form for the expert grappler. Mitchell was able to endure some of Ige’s best strikes, find his way to the inside, and do what he does best until his opponent was worn down and vulnerable.
Mitchell should be able to pick up where he left off before dropping his UFC 282 bout against likely title challenger Ilia Topouria. Instead of putting up against another featherweight known for their skill on the feet, let’s put him up against a fellow submission ace. Brian Ortega returning from his layoff against Mitchell would be a welcomed addition to the calendar.
In his last outing, Ortega suffered an injury TKO vs. Yair Rodriguez in July 2022
Marina Rodriguez vs. Jessica Andrade/Mackenzie Dern winner
Marina Rodriguez got her hand raised again against Michelle Waterson-Gomez but it certainly didn’t play out like their first meeting in 2021. This time Rodriguez didn’t need the full 25 minutes to win. In one of the more brutal beatings of the year so far, Waterson-Gomez looked completely powerless to stop the onslaught of strikes from all ranges.
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Rodriguez has now earned a healthy distance from the two-fight skid that halted her momentum towards title contention. Pairing her with the winner of Jessica Andrade and Mackenzie Dern is the right move. If Andrade wins it pits her against a perennial contender and would put a stamp on her career comeback. If she sees Dern in a rematch, it will give both women the opportunity to show their growth.
Andrade and Dern are booked for UFC 295 in November.
Bryan Battle vs. Uros Medic/Johnny Parsons winner
It was a far cry from the 14-second stunner in his hometown of Charlotte, but Bryan Battle earned his fourth finish under the UFC banner. After getting off to a slow start in the opening frame and getting into trouble, Battle was able to turn the volume up and put pressure on AJ Fletcher until he could take things to the floor and wrap up a rear naked choke.
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Battle is becoming one of the more exciting prospects in the promotion and with the right approach can make waves in the welterweight division. A fight with the winner of Uros Medic and Johnny Parsons could be a fun one and give the TUF winner another chance to develop his game right before our eyes. Medic and Parsons are scheduled for the curtain jerker of a November fight night card from the Apex Center.
Charles Jordain vs. Pat Sabatini/Diego Lopes winner
For the short time that it lasted, Charles Jordain and Ricardo Ramos gave us a fun series of scrambles and chaos. Defying the basic narrative of Jordain’s striking acumen being paired against the high-level jiu-jitsu of Ramos, the Canadian was able to secure his second guillotine finish in the Octagon.
Although Jordain’s post-fight wish of standing across from Cub Swanson would likely deliver fireworks, let’s go in another direction that retains the entertainment potential but feels like a more appropriate use of the 27-year-old.
The winner of Pat Sabatini and Diego Lopes could create a fun fight and let the younger men outside of the top 15 claw their way to a coveted ranking spot. Sabatini and Lopes will meet at UFC 295.
