UFC 263 – Who’s next for Israel Adesanya, Brandon Moreno, Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz?

GLENDALE, AZ — One dominant champion retained his belt. One other misplaced it in an surprising blowout.

It was one other enjoyable evening in MMA, as UFC 263 delivered loads of storylines. Israel Adesanya regarded terrific in his third title protection, a unanimous choice towards Marvin Vettori. Within the co-main, a possible new star was born in Brandon Moreno, who submitted Deiveson Figueiredo within the third spherical.

And though Nate Diaz failed to drag off an upset over Leon Edwards, he actually got here shut within the waning seconds — and appeared to have enjoyable doing it.

So, what’s forward for the highest six fighters on the cardboard of UFC 263?

Israel Adesanya, middleweight (defeated Marvin Vettori by unanimous choice)

Who’s subsequent: Robert Whittaker

Whittaker has been deserving of a rematch for some time, however issues like timing and the very fact Adesnya by no means appeared motivated by it have delayed it. There’s no delaying it now.

Whittaker has taken out everybody he wanted to as a way to safe a rematch after which some. And with how good he regarded in his final combat towards Kelvin Gastelum, there may be actual fan curiosity in seeing this matchup once more.

UFC president Dana White has mentioned it’s subsequent. Whittaker might be able to go later this 12 months, if that timeframe fits Adesanya. That is the combat, very clearly.

Wild card: Darren Until

We’ll put this down as a wildcard, as a result of we want a wildcard, however I don’t see this occurring in any respect.

Until may be very well-liked and Adesanya needs to combat him, it’s very apparent. However Whittaker simply beat Until final July. That is Whittaker’s combat.

Marvin Vettori, middleweight (misplaced to Israel Adesanya by unanimous choice)

Who’s subsequent: Paulo Costa

If the UFC can come to phrases with Costa and get him to return amidst this current contract dispute, that is the combat proper right here. Two of the angriest males within the middleweight division. Two guys who like to plod ahead and win on strain.

The buildup to this combat can be large and I do imagine it will ship within the cage as properly.

Wild card: Loser of Darren Until and Derek Brunson

That combat is prone to occur in September in London. Vettori going through the winner would make sense.

Vettori and Until have been presupposed to combat earlier this 12 months, however Until withdrew with a damaged collarbone. The 2 have gone forwards and backwards on social media ever since, and if Brunson loses in London, he’ll nonetheless be ranked comparatively excessive.

Brunson and Vettori have relied on their wrestling in current fights, and really developed types which can be type of comparable. Let’s discover out which ones can execute it higher.

Brandon Moreno, flyweight (defeated Deiveson Figueiredo by submission)

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After defeating Deiveson Figueiredo by way of rear-naked choke to win the UFC flyweight championship, Brandon Moreno celebrates along with his spouse and daughter.

Who’s subsequent: Askar Askarov

Not probably the most thrilling identify to maneuver on to, coming off such a excessive profile bout — however there’s a storyline right here. These two fought to a attract September 2019. Make it about “Moreno cleans up the 2 attracts of his UFC profession. First Figueiredo, and now Askarov.”

The truth is there isn’t a brilliant apparent, “huge” combat for Moreno to maneuver on to. So, don’t overthink it. Ebook him to a man he didn’t lose to however couldn’t beat simply two years in the past. And provides him a platform. As a result of I feel Moreno is usually a highly regarded champ, even when he’s combating a lesser identified opponent.

Wild card: Alexandre Pantoja, if he beats Brandon Royval on Aug. 21

In case you don’t do the final man Moreno fought to a draw, do the final man to beat him. And that’s Pantoja. Pantoja beat Moreno by way of choice in 2018, and Moreno misplaced his spot on the UFC roster proper after. It’s one other good storyline and Pantoja can be very deserving if he will get by Royval.

Deiveson Figueiredo, flyweight (misplaced to Brandon Moreno by submission)

Who’s subsequent: Cody Garbrandt

Garbrandt hasn’t made it clear he intends to drop to 125 kilos, nevertheless it appears like the apparent transfer, proper? He’s fallen out of title rivalry at bantamweight, and may gain advantage from a contemporary begin at flyweight.

Garbrandt was truly presupposed to combat Figueiredo for the title in November, however needed to pull out on account of medical points. This may be a really high-profile combat for the division, and a barn burner stylistically.

Wild card: Askar Askarov

If Askarov doesn’t get a title shot towards Moreno, give him the previous champ. He’s proper there within the rankings, coming off a win over Joseph Benavidez in March. There’s not a ton of hype round his identify, however he’s not going anyplace. He deserves a combat that is smart.

And if he have been to beat a man like Figueiredo, it will solely construct his marketability within the occasion he does go on and combat for a title.

Leon Edwards, welterweight (defeated Nate Diaz by unanimous choice)

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Leon Edwards dominates the early rounds and Nate Diaz makes an attempt to return again with a giant punch late, however Edwards finally comes away with the win.

Who’s subsequent: Kamaru Usman

The UFC has a fantastic downside on its palms, in that it has two excellent, very legit choices for the defending champion, Kamaru Usman. There’s Colby Covington. And there may be Leon Edwards. Each are incredible decisions.

However sitting right here proper now, there may be merely no manner I can say that Edwards doesn’t deserve it extra. It’s very clear to me. And the explanation it’s clear is that the UFC tried to make Covington vs. Edwards a number of occasions, and it was Covington who had no curiosity. Now that’s advantageous, and I perceive why he didn’t have any curiosity in Edwards, however when you flip down that combat you run the danger of Edwards passing you within the queue if he’s energetic and placing on good performances. That’s what has occurred right here.

Edwards’ resume offers him the nod over Covington as of as we speak, for my part.

Wild card: Michael Chiesa

I might see a state of affairs through which Usman defends his title towards Covington subsequent, and Edwards simply waits for the winner. That’s potential. Usman needs to be very energetic — and I think about Covington wouldn’t thoughts combating extra steadily on a champion’s wage, if he have been to drag the upset.

However regardless, within the occasion Edwards’ subsequent combat just isn’t for a championship, I feel Chiesa as an opponent makes plenty of sense. Chiesa is on a five-fight win streak and in reality, the champ himself, Usman, has expressed curiosity in combating him. So, if Edwards has to combat once more earlier than a title, that is the one for me.

Nate Diaz, welterweight (misplaced to Leon Edwards by unanimous choice)

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Nate Diaz says he might be sharing the handle to a post-fight get together he’s internet hosting after his loss to Leon Edwards.

Who’s subsequent: Conor McGregor.

It’s time. If McGregor loses to Dustin Poirier on July 10, isn’t this the combat to make? The truth is, it’s the one to shut out the 12 months. McGregor vs. Diaz 3, in a December pay-per-view in Las Vegas. Performed. Makes excellent sense, once more, if McGregor loses.

Who is aware of what number of extra fights both of them have. Do it now.

I wish to at the least point out Jorge Masvidal as an alternative choice, however to me that’s not the way in which to go. The UFC did that combat lower than two years in the past, and marketed it because the “BMF” bout. To ebook it once more, after not a lot time has handed, and now each are coming off separate losses … I feel, at the least for now, that combat has misplaced a few of its attraction. Timing simply isn’t proper for that rematch.

Wild card: Tony Ferguson

Man. I’m gonna simply hold beating this drum till it’s actually not an choice anymore. A combat between Diaz and Ferguson has made a lot sense for such a very long time. Stylistically, it’s a fantastic combat. The way in which their personalities would conflict — and the way in which their fan bases would conflict. They each have developed a type of cult following inside the sport.

Neither of them actually needs to chop to 155 kilos any extra. They’re each on a dropping streak, however a non-title combat between them would entice widespread attraction, it’s nonetheless a giant combat, and who is aware of what that type of win might arrange for both of them?

Diaz has by no means actually been excited about combating Ferguson, however maybe now’s the time. It’s a enjoyable, marketable combat that might catapult the winner into one thing huge primarily based on identify recognition alone.