While UFC Fight Night 133 wasn’t the most intriguing of cards in UFC history, the promotions first ever visit to Boise, Idaho did offer some big wins for some exciting prospects and a steady return to form for Junior Dos Santos in the main event billing.
With the second event down of a five-week long stretch for the UFC, there’s little time to reflect on these underpromoted and undervalued Fight Night events before the next comes around. As a result of the steady stream of events, here are five fights for the UFC to consider just six days before UFC Fight Night 134:
Junior Dos Santos vs Alexander Volkov
After sitting out for over a year due to a USADA suspension from which he was later exonerated, Junior Dos Santos got the full five rounds in the bank against Blagoy Ivanov without too much trouble.
The former UFC heavyweight champion dominated the stand-up exchanges against Ivanov and chalked off 50-45 scorecards across the board.
With JDS back in the win column, a match-up with a higher ranked opponent would make the most sense for the Brazilian in his next outing.
While Alexander Volkov sliding down the rankings through no fault of his own, a bout between Volkov and Dos Santos would make sense for both men.
Sage Northcutt vs Tony Martin
After eating a big punch in the opening moments of his bout with Zak Ottow, Sage Northcutt rebounded in style against the 31-year-old to record his first win at welterweight in the UFC.
Using his youthful speed and explosiveness, Northcutt’s striking began to overwhelm his opponent in the second round and some hammerfists on the ground secured a second-round TKO victory.
With a big cut to lightweight, ‘Super’ Sage should remain at the 170 lbs for the foreseeable future and a match-up with nine-fight UFC veteran Tony Martin would provide a stern test for the developing Northcutt.
Niko Price vs Warlley Alves
With a rarely seen hammerfists from the bottom knockout, Niko Price scored a stunning second-round victory over Randy Brown in the welterweight division.
After such a remarkable finish, Price deserves a tough test in a deep division and a fight with fellow heavy hitter Warlley Alves would make for an exciting match-up.
Chad Mendes vs Alexander Volkanovski
With both of these fighters earning big wins on Saturday night, a fight between the two would make a lot of sense.
After Alexander Volkanovski called for a bout with Mendes following his impressive decision win over the #10 ranked Darren Elkins, Chad Mendes rolled back the years with a first-round TKO over Myles Jury.
Both men will most likely enter the UFC’s featherweight rankings when they are next updated and the winner of their proposed bout should be looking at a top-five challenger soon after.
Cat Zingano vs Germaine De Randamie
Following years of struggle, both professionally and personally, Cat Zingano scored a massive win over Marion Reneau that was much needed for the ‘Alpha Cat’.
Despite being 0-3 in her last three bouts heading into Saturday, Zingano was still ranked #6 in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division – a ranking befitting of her skillset.
With a much-needed win now in the bank, Zingano can start to look up towards the champion Amanda Nunes of who she holds a TKO victory against.
As Germaine De Randamie sits just above Zingano in the rankings, a fight between the two makes all the sense in the world as long as GDR does, in fact, return to the Octagon.