UFC 284 went down final evening (Sat., Feb. 11, 2023) inside RAC Enviornment in Perth, Western Australia, which featured a Light-weight title combat that noticed Islam Makhachev defend his belt in opposition to Featherweight king, Alexander Volkanovski, in one of many extra entertaining fights of the yr (see it once more right here). Within the co-main occasion, Yair Rodriguez placed on considered one of his finest performances in opposition to Josh Emmett, submitting him in spherical two to win the interim Featherweight title.
Winner: Islam Makhachev
Who He Ought to Face Subsequent: Let’s wait and see…
This one could seem clear-cut, however we’ve to attend to see how the upcoming combat between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush performs out after they collide at UFC 288 on Could 6. Oliveira misplaced to Makhachev in his final outing, and Dariush was in line to combat the present champ when he wasn’t the champ a number of years in the past. If Dariush wins then he ought to definitely get the subsequent title shot. If Oliveira wins, then he does have a small case for a rematch in opposition to Islam, however that additionally opens the door for Dustin Poirier to start out his personal marketing campaign to get the subsequent shot. What are your strategies?
Winner: Yair Rodriguez
Who He Ought to Struggle Subsequent: Alexander Volkanovski
This one is a no brainer as a result of after Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett he secured his title unification bout in opposition to Volkanovski. “The Nice” was requested when he wished this combat to go down shortly after his loss to Makhachev and he was prepared to leap proper into it. Whereas that was his adrenaline speaking, largely, he’s nonetheless very energetic so I don’t assume we should wait too lengthy to see this combat.
Winner: Jack Della Maddalena
Who He Ought to Face Subsequent: Michel Pereira…perhaps?
Maddelena continues his streak of first-round finishes by submitting Randy Brown within the very first spherical (video right here), enhancing to 4-0 contained in the Octagon within the course of. The Quick-rising begin is on his approach up in a relatively spectacular trend, so it will likely be fascinating to see simply how the promotion plans to match him up shifting ahead. He isn’t ranked simply but within the High 15, however that will change come this week. I used to be excited about suggesting he face the winner of Sean Brady and Michel Pereira, however new lately broke that Brady tore his groin and was compelled out the matchup, which was set to go down at UFC San Antonio on March 25. That’s nonetheless over a month away and Maddalena didn’t take any injury final evening, so he could possibly be an ideal match to switch Brady.
Winner: Justin Tafa
Who He Ought to Face Subsequent: Jailton Almeida
Tafa picked up his second straight first-round knockout win by destroying Parker Porter in 66 seconds. He may need to do a bit extra earlier than he can begin sniffing across the High 15, even when the division isn’t as deep as others, so maybe a combat in opposition to in opposition to Almeida can be a superb match. Some could marvel why I’m suggesting since they’re seeing Almeida as a rising prospect, however he has 4 fights contained in the Octagon to Tafa’s six. Tafa is 3-3 up to now with the promotion whereas Almeida is 4-0, and was lately seen beating the breaks off Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 283 final month, so their turnaround instances may line up for an eventual showdown.
For full UFC 284: “Makhachev vs. Volkanovski” outcomes and play-by-play, click on HERE.
