UFC’s first event at the Sphere in Las Vegas left fans buzzing, not only for its unique production but also for the matchups that now loom on the horizon after Saturday’s fights. With Merab Dvalishvili and Valentina Shevchenko securing championships at UFC 306, their next challenges are already taking shape.
Dvalishvili put on an impressive display against Sean O’Malley to claim his first UFC bantamweight title. Shevchenko, on the other hand, regained her flyweight crown with a commanding win over Alexa Grasso. While immediate rematches aren’t likely for either champion, both divisions have clear contenders ready for title shots. Another rising star to watch is Diego Lopes, who continues to climb the featherweight rankings after defeating two-time title challenger Brian Ortega.
Here are the most exciting fights to make across the bantamweight, women’s flyweight, and featherweight divisions after UFC 306:
Bantamweight
UFC Bantamweight Championship – Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov:
This matchup feels inevitable. Nurmagomedov secured his status as the top contender after defeating Cory Sandhagen, and the anticipation of seeing Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin fight for UFC gold is high. The clash of styles is what makes this fight intriguing: Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling against Nurmagomedov’s more balanced skill set. If Nurmagomedov can defend against Dvalishvili’s takedowns, he might have the upper hand on the feet.
Sean O’Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen:
Fans have been eager to see this matchup for some time. O’Malley has had one successful title defense, but it came against Marlon “Chito” Vera, who many felt didn’t quite earn the shot. Now is the perfect time to pit these two exciting fighters against each other, with the winner moving into position for a title fight. Alternatively, O’Malley could face former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo in a potential title eliminator.
Women’s Flyweight
UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship – Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Manon Fiorot:
A fourth Shevchenko-Grasso fight isn’t necessary, especially after Grasso’s underwhelming recent title defense. Shevchenko was dominant in her victory and, in hindsight, appeared to have won most of the rounds in her previous bouts with Grasso. Fiorot, who was the backup fighter for UFC 306’s co-main event, is a clear contender. With a 12-fight win streak, Fiorot is ready to make history by becoming the first undisputed UFC champion from France.
Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas or Erin Blanchfield:
Grasso can quickly re-enter the title conversation by taking on the winner of an upcoming fight between Erin Blanchfield and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, who will face off at UFC Fight Night in Edmonton. Both Blanchfield and Namajunas are considered top-tier talent, and either would make for an exciting title eliminator matchup with Grasso.
Featherweight
UFC Featherweight Championship – Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway vs. Diego Lopes:
The next featherweight title contender could come down to either Alexander Volkanovski or Lopes, depending on the outcome of Holloway vs. Topuria. If Holloway defeats Topuria, Volkanovski, who has beaten Holloway three times, could emerge as the frontrunner for a title shot. However, if Topuria wins, Volkanovski might want a tune-up fight after recent back-to-back knockout losses. Regardless, Lopes’ impressive win over Ortega makes him a legitimate contender, and he’s already on Topuria’s radar as a future challenger.
Brian Ortega vs. Movsar Evloev or Aljamain Sterling:
Ortega has absorbed significant damage in his recent fights, so a less striking-heavy opponent would be ideal. A bout against top wrestlers like Evloev or Sterling makes sense. The two grapplers will square off at UFC 307, and depending on where Ortega lands in the rankings, a fight against the loser of that matchup would be a logical next step.
