Fights to Make after FN Strickland vs Hernandez

Sportz Nation Staff
Feb 23
4 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 2/23/2026

Sean Strickland

vs Title Holder

Matt -

We all know Sean Strickland is good, but I don't think anyone expected him to look that good. Strickland may have looked better than he ever has before, completely shutting down a monster in Anthony Hernandez. With Strickland snapping Fluffy's 8-fight winning streak, big things should be on the horizon for him.

A third fight against Dricus Du Plessis does not make the most sense to me, but with Strickland being ranked so highly, I think another shot at the title is in order. He will likely have to wait until after Nassourdine Imavov gets his shot, but Strickland should have no issue with that.

Anthony Hernandez

vs (WINNER of Adesanya/Pyfer)

Zak -

Fluffy took a beating last weekend and now has to go back to the drawing board. Still in the Top 5, Hernandez needs someone making a name for themselves, and the way this division is shaking up in the middle of it, this is the only thing that could make sense.

If Adesanya wins, he'll likely try to make one last run for the title, and a fight with Hernandez will be that. If Pyfer wins, their fight could easily be a title eliminator.

Uros Medic

vs Daniel Rodriguez

Matt -

As I said in our predictions article, Uros Medic is the kind of fighter to finish his opponent or get finished himself. It was the former in this fight, as he knocked Geoff Neal out cold.

With Medic being a ranked fighter now, I think a fight against Daniel Rodriguez makes a ton of sense. Both fighters are a fight away from really making a case for an upward push, while stylistically being a potential barnburner.

Geoff Neal

vs Carlos Leal

Zak -

Yikes, that could've gone better for Geoff Neal. The former #5 Welterweight contender will be out of the rankings come Wednesday but should get one more shot at a rising contender for a ranking.

In the same weekend, Carlos Leal took a huge win in a slugfest with Chidi Njoukani and should be among the "best of the rest" in the Welterweights. Both of these guys like to trade shots and throw and should make for a very fun fight with someone likely losing by knockout... again.

Melquizael Costa

vs Arnold Allen

Matt -

Is Melquizael Costa legit or what? After yet another stunning performance from the 29-year-old, Costa's rise has been nothing short of impressive. For someone who is widely considered to be a grappler, Costa is forming into a balanced fighter that should have the rest of the division on notice.

With Costa on the hot streak he's on right now, I don't think a big jump up is all that crazy. Arnold Allen needs a fight after losing his last fight, making Costa a perfect candidate to take him on. This not only will solidify Costa in the title conversation if he wins, but could put Arnold back on track in a big way with a win himself.

Serghei Spivac

(WINNER of Tybura/Walker)

Zak-

To be completely honest, I thought there was no chance Serghei Spivac was winning that one, but here we are. With the way the top of this division is waiting on the title picture and Spivac's lack of popularity, I think he gets another fight below him.

The upcoming battle between Tybura and Johnny Walker should set the winner up around the #8 mark, and especially if Walker is the winner, it would make a terrific matchup stylistically with Spivac.

Jacobe Smith

vs (WINNER of Mallott/Burns)

Matt -

I said it in the predictions article and I'll say it again: Jacobe Smith might be a top-5 prospect in the entire UFC.

With another electric victory, Smith absolutely deserves a ranked fight next. I think a fight against the winner of Gilbert Burns/Mike Mallott makes sense for him; it allows Smith to get a sort of test that he has yet to face before. A shot against whoever wins offers Smith a chance to showcase how he fares against high-level grapplers.

Joselyne Edwards

vs Irene Aldana

Zak-

Edwards has now won 4 in a row, all by finishes, and deserves a fight toward the top of the Bantamweight division. Similarly to the Heavyweights, there really aren't many matchups that make a lot of sense here besides Aldana.

Having lost 2 of her last 3, Irene Aldana needs someone like Edwards as well. With Edwards' stock likely bringing her to #11 and Aldana at #6, these two would probably be fighting with a title fight only 1 more win away.