Potential fights after UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim

Gabriel Bonfim takes on Sean Brady

Bonfim was able to pick apart Belal Muhammad throughout the entire fight. With constant pressure and elite takedown defense, Bonfim was able to unanimously outpoint Muhammad 50- 45 on the judges’ scorecards. 

The welterweight division is absolutely stacked at the top of the division. Bonfim will most likely be in the top five when the rankings are updated. Bonfim called out No. 4-ranked former champion, Jack Della Maddalena. After getting TKO’d in May by Carlos Prates, Della Maddalena may take some time off. If Bonfim wants to stay active, Brady would be the next best option. 

Both Bonfim and Brady have amazing BJJ skills. Brady’s coming off a dominant win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC 328. Brady’s last loss was to No. 3-ranked contender Michael Morales. Morales is a great striker, and he’s very big for the division. Brady could show he can contend with the bigger guys by beating Bonfim. Bonfim could place himself right in the conversation for a title shot if he can beat Brady. This fight would be great as a fight night main event or on the main card of a numbered event.

Belal Muhammad fights Joaquin Buckley

Muhammad is now on a three-fight losing skid. At 37 years old, he may be slowly aging out of his prime. All decision losses; he was able to make each fight competitive. He’ll now have to fight lower in the rankings to prove he’s still a top 10 fighter in the division. 

No. 9-ranked Buckley makes a ton of sense. Both fighters are each other’s worst stylistic matchup. Muhammad is an elite MMA wrestler, which has been Buckley’s Achilles heel in the UFC. Buckley is a great striker with powerful punches. If either fighter can dictate where the fight takes place, they’ll win. 

Brendan Allen fights Dricus Du Plessis 

Allen was able to get a 30-27 decision from two of the judges’ scorecards over unranked Edmen Shahbazyan. Allen called out the champion Sean Strickland for a rematch. The most deserving fighter for the title shot is No. 3 contender Nassourdine Imavov. If Imavov gets the shot, Allen will need a fight.

Du Plessis is rumored to be fighting Kamaru Usman this summer. It has yet to be announced. Assuming it is true, Allen wants to return around October. That schedule could line up with Du Plessis if he’s able to get a win over Usman with minimal damage; that would be a great fight to make.

Tom Nolan takes on Renato Moicano

Nolan was able to upset No. 14-ranked Fares Ziam. Nolan should now be entering the rankings. He mentioned wanting to take on No. 9-ranked Moicano. That could be a great fight. 

Moicano’s slick BJJ and Nolan’s ability to grapple should make for an interesting fight. If Nolan can beat the vet, he could be a fresh face inside the top 10 of the lightweight division.

Bryce Mitchell takes on Raul Rosas Jr.

Mitchell was able to dominate Santiago Luna, giving him his first professional loss in MMA. Since moving down a weight class to bantamweight, Mitchell has won two in a row. After a performance like that, he should get his chance to steal a spot in the rankings. 

Rosas Jr. was able to beat Rob Font to get his spot in the rankings. Both Mitchell and Rosas Jr. are great grapplers. It would be a fun matchup to see both of them use their slick BJJ skills against one another.

Iwo Baraniewski gets his chance at a top-15 spot with Dominick Reyes

Baraniewski was able to finish Junior Tafa easily in the first round. This is his third first-round finish since entering the UFC. A chance at the rankings would be great for him. Reyes is coming off a forgettable split-decision win over Johnny Walker at UFC 327. Reyes still has talent, but he needs to prove himself. A dangerous prospect like Baraniewski could be just what he needs.