The UFC brought an 11 events in 11 weeks run to an end in Mexico City Saturday night and may well have found its next flyweight title challenger in turn.
Extending his win streak to four, including wins over former title challengers Chris Cariaso and John Moraga, Sergio Pettis put his full striking ability on display as he dominated the stand-up against a game Brandon Moreno for the full 25 minutes.
In the co-main event, young prospect Alexa Grasso came up trumps in a tightly contested affair against Randa Markos while Niko Price extended his unbeaten record to 11-0 as he knocked out the talented Alan Jouban in the first round.
Elsewhere, Sam Alvey squeaked by an aging Rashad Evans on a split decision while on the preliminary card, Dustin Ortiz scored the quickest knockout in flyweight history as he took all of 15 seconds to defeat Hector Sandoval.squeeked by an aging Rashad Evans on a split decision while on the preliminary card, Dustin Ortiz scored the quickest knockout in flyweight history as he took all of 15 seconds to defeat Hector Sandoval.
With no more UFC events for the month of August, although there is a quite big boxing match involving a certain UFC champion, here are five fights for the UFC to consider as it enters a four-week hiatus:
Sergio Pettis vs Cejudo/Reis Winner or Benavidez
The UFC is in quite the conundrum when it comes to the top end of the flyweight division.
Demetrious Johnson has knocked off 99% of those who could possibly challenge for his 125 lbs crown and has done so in dominant fashion. With ‘Mighty Mouse’ now headlining UFC 215 and hoping to break the record for consecutive title defences, a record he has been adamant and unrelenting in going after, the question will float in the air about whether he will even continue in the division if he defends his title for the 11th time.
If Johnson does stick around, there will be significantly more interest in a title defence against Sergio Pettis than a rematch with either Henry Cejudo or Joseph Benavidez but if Johnson was to vacate his title in the quest for super fights, a title fight between Pettis and the winner of the upcoming Henry Cejudo – Wilson Reis or an idle Joseph Benavidez would be more than interesting.
Alexa Grasso vs Cortney Casey
Alexa Grasso bounced back from her first career loss at the hands of Felice Herrig with a hard fought decision win over Randa Markos on Saturday night.
Grasso is a massively talented offensive striker for her age but is in need of a careful approach from the UFC.
A match-up with the #13 ranked Cortney Casey would provide another test without throwing her into the deep end of the women’s strawweight division.
Niko Price vs Tim Means
Niko Price reminded everyone watching of his big power in Mexico as he took under two minutes to defeat Alan Jouban in the welterweight division.
The undefeated Price will surely receive another step-up in competition and a bout with the high output producing and tough as bricks Tim ‘Dirty Bird’ Means would do just that.
Sam Alvey vs Vitor Belfort
It wasn’t the prettiest of victories but Sam Alvey defeated Rashad Evans on the scorecards.
In the aftermath, ‘Smilin’ Sam proceeded to call-out Vitor Belfort and both men have had a decent back-and-forth on social media since.
With Belfort ignoring his own retirement announcement, a bout between the two could be quite interesting to see, especially so if in the intimidating atmosphere of a Belfort-favouring Brazilian crowd.
Dustin Ortiz vs Ben Nguyen
With 15 seconds gone on the clock, Dustin Ortiz’s night’s work was done and dusted.
Finding a home for a right hook behind the ear of Hector Sandoval, Ortiz recorded the fastest finish in flyweight history on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 114.
Ortiz has gone 6-5 in his UFC career but his five losses have come against the elite at 125 lbs. A bout with fellow recent big winner Ben Nguyen would see who could try and break into the top 5 at flyweight in 2018.