Matchmaking After UFC 328

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 5/11/2026

Photo by Ishika Samant via Getty Images

Sean Strickland

vs 2Nassourdine Imavov

Zak Drapeau -

Strickland has defied the odds again and become only the 2nd two-time Middleweight champion. There are a number of fighters who could challenge Strickland first, including the former champion Du Plessis, who beat Strickland twice, but I think I'm giving Imavov the shot first.

In a would-be rematch three years in the making, Nassourdine Imavov should challenge Strickland after his 5-fight win streak, including 3 Top-5 Middleweights. Strickland lost his only title defense to DDP in 2024 and will get an opportunity to avenge his loss around the end of 2026 in what would be an excellent stand-up war with Imavov.

Khamzat Chimaev

vs 1Magomed Ankalaev (LHW)

Matt Hylen -

Well, did anyone think we would be here in this moment in time? I certainly didn't. After a brutal weight cut process, Chimaev did not look like himself whatsoever this past Saturday, with his gas tank seemingly having run out after round 1. I mean, he said it himself, his body cannot function at its highest level when fighting at middleweight. He didn't look comfortable at all and went away from the assumed game plan once Sean Strickland was able to reverse a takedown attempt in round 2.

So, I firmly believe that was Khamzat's last middleweight fight and he will move up to light heavyweight. Thus, giving him a title eliminator against Magomed Ankalaev while we wait for the status of Carlos Ulberg could make a lot of sense. Ankalaev could give Chimaev his biggest test on the ground, while still respecting the fact that he is a top contender regardless of division.

Joshua Van

vs 1Alexandre Pantoja

Zak Drapeau -

After receiving FOTN honors against Tatsuro Taira, Van is ready to run it back with Pantoja. After the former champ dislocated his elbow just 26 seconds into their fight, Pantoja seems ready to get back into the Octagon in the second half of 2026, making this fight the only one to make at 125.

The winner of Kape vs. Horiguchi on 6/20 will be in the mix too but should get the next shot sometime in 2027. Pantoja was on an 8-fight win streak before that fight and has a genuine argument that he never lost his belt. After Van's spectacular defense on Saturday, we should get the Flyweight fight we all want to see sometime around October.

Tatsuro Taira

vs 6Lone'er Kavanaugh

Matt Hylen -

Even though he was not able to survive the striking and grappling defense of Joshua Van, Tatsuro Taira is one tough dude. He really did fight until his body couldn't take it anymore, which should be considered one of the most respectable performances of the year thus far.

With Taira having his fair share of good moments in this fight, a win against a guy like Lone'er Kavanaugh could propel him right back into title considerations. Kavanaugh, of course, showed what he can do against Brandon Moreno, so if he can do that again it could give Taira a very unique challenge. Ultimately, a matchup between these two could raise the winner up to at least a title eliminator, which I think is where both fighters are currently at.

Alexander Volkov

vs WINNER of Josh Hokit/Derrick Lewis

Zak Drapeau -

Volkov is the toughest fighter to matchmake for on this list after his 2nd win in a row in the Heavyweight's Top-5. The problem is the championship picture, which involves the interim title fight happening in June between Pereira and Gane, with the winner likely facing Tom Aspinall sometime around the end of 2026 to unify the belts.

This means Volkov would likely be waiting until Q2 of 2027 to get a title shot, and I'm not even sure he'd be first in line, especially considering the rise of Josh Hokit in the last few months. So, let's give him a title eliminator that should happen right around the same time as Aspinall's comeback. I expect this to be Josh Hokit in the long run and probably a co-main event for a future title shot.

Sean Brady

vs 4Jack Della Maddalena

Matt Hylen -

This Sean Brady performance might be one of the most dominant performances that we have seen in a very, very long time. From start to finish, Brady fought the perfect fight; his grappling consumed Buckley, his ground and pound was vicious, and his technique was absolutely elite and gave Buckley no chance whatsoever.

Sean Brady is back, and he deserves a fight up the ranks. I think a fight against Jack Della Maddalena, who just lost in his most recent fight and needs a fight down, could make a lot of sense. Della Maddalena has shown he can beat up on grapple-first fighters, which could give Sean Brady a big challenge that would warrant a title shot next if he won. It also allows for Della Maddalena to get back on track, with his losing skid not looking great right now.

Ateba Gautier

vs 11Jared Cannonier

Zak Drapeau -

Gautier is coming for the top of the Middleweight rankings, and I think it will be sooner rather than later. One of the most powerful punchers I've ever seen at 185, Gautier is already ready for a Top-15 fight, and Cannonier could be his next victim... I mean opponent.

Cannonier is still ranked #11 after losing 3 of his last 4 and will need a "prove-it" fight against an up-and-comer like Gautier. Both men are gigantic for the weight class and could easily be a Co-Main or even a Main Event of a Fight Night later this summer.

Yaroslav Amosov

LOSER 5Belal Muhammad/10Gabriel Bonfim

Matt Hylen -

Yaroslav Amosov is legit, my goodness. Joel Alvarez is an extremely good fighter, and Amosov made him look like an amateur. With his record still undefeated in the UFC, it is time to give Amosov a big step up next.

I could absolutely see Amosov getting a matchup against a guy like Leon Edwards next, but I think whoever loses between Belal Muhammad and Gabriel Bonfim could also make a ton of sense. It would still be a fight up for Amosov, with a win solidifying a top-5 opponent.

Grant Dawson

vs Renato Moicano

Zak Drapeau -

We'll have to see if Dawson's win over Rebecki is enough to push him to #15 at lightweight, but even if he's kept just short of the UFC's rankings, he needs another ranked fight next, and in this case, I'd even say a Top-10 fight.

There is an argument that Moicano could deserve a fight higher in the rankings, but according to him, he's "looking for easy money fights," so I believe he'll accept a fight with Dawson, who at most would be the last man in the Top-15. A fun scrap between two exciting lightweights and a chance for Dawson to move to the Top-10 is enough to make me excited for this one.

Pat Sabatini

vs 14David Onama

Matt Hylen -

Honestly, I would not be shocked if Pat Sabatini got cut from the UFC. Yes, he did dominate on Saturday, but he did not really do anything other than hold Gomis on the cage. He is not an exciting fighter, never really hunts finishes, and will win just because he knows how to clinch when his opponent is against the cage.

With that said, if he does stick around in the UFC, his resume and winning streak do warrant a ranked fighter next. David Onama is on the decline and probably should not be ranked anymore, so throwing him to a guy like Sabatini will likely get him out of there.

Other Fights To Make

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs WINNER of 8Kuniev/11Fortune

Joaquin Buckley vs 12Uros Medic

King Green vs Benil Dariush

Joel Alvarez vs Jacobe Smith

Mateusz Rebecki vs Mason Jones

Jim Miller vs Alexander Hernandez

Roman Kopylov vs 15Roman Dolidze

Marco Tulio vs Vicente Luque

William Gomis vs Lerryan Douglas

Baisangur Susurkaev vs Eryk Anders

Djorden Santos vs Sedriques Dumas

Jose Ochoa vs Ode Osbourne

Clayton Carpenter vs Lucas Rocha