5 Fights To Make After UFC 247
Who should Jon Jones match-up against next for his next UFC light-heavyweight title defense?
Another pay-per-view is in the books now that UFC 247 is over, which means that there are new match-ups to make in a number of the promotion's top divisions. After every single major event, we play the role of fantasy matchmaker and this card provided plenty of options for the future..
Jon Jones successfully defended his UFC light-heavyweight title, but it wasn't in the dominant fashion that fans have come accustomed too. In fact, many believe that Bones should've lost the judges' decision after his opponent, Dominick Reyes, put him under some serious pressure throughout their 25 minute scrap. With another challenger out of the way, who will take on the greatest 205lber the world has ever seen?
We also witnessed UFC women's flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko, beat the absolute brakes off of Katlyn Chookagian in their title fight, eventually finishing the challenger with vicious ground and pound. Shevchenko has seemingly taken out the vast majority of her weight class, but there are still a few opponents lying in wait for her. Who will the UFC line her up with next?
If UFC matchmakers, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby, need a helping hand deciding what the next fights are for tonight's winners, then all they'll need to do is look here as we've done the hard work for them.
Let's begin...
5. Justin Tafa Vs. Ciryl Gane
With mixed martial arts finally becoming legal in France this year, the UFC will be hoping to bring a card there as soon as possible. They'll obviously have a number of French fighters competing too, with the most impressive one being highly-touted heavyweight, Ciryl Gane.
Gane's Muay Thai background makes him an interesting prospect, but he's far from just a striker. Ever since making his mixed martial arts debut back in 2018, the Frenchman has shown that he's got some underrated ground skills too. The fact that he's comfortable with grappling and actively looks for submissions is definitely a positive sign for him and his coaches.
He has a tough match-up against Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 249 next, but whether he wins or or loses their scrap, he should take on Justin Tafa fterwards. If you're looking for a fan-friendly fight that pretty much guarantees a violent ending, then putting these two individuals in the Octagon with each other is a no-brainer.