Matchmaking After UFC 331
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 9/22/2026
Joshua Van vs
Manel Kape
Zak Drapeau -
I believe with his latest victory over Alexandre Pantoja, Joshua Van is already on a shortlist of GOAT Flyweights at just 24-years old and thus, has earned himself a layoff before his next fight. I don't know how long that will be, maybe until the end of 2027 but when he does decide to come back, he should be fighting Kape next. Another boxer to throw down with, Van doesn't seem to have any weaknesses he can exploit but this would definitely be a fight that either man could finish with one shot.
Alexandre Pantoja vs
Tatsuro Taira
Matt Hylen -
With Pantoja suffering his first non-injury related loss in years, this is a bit of uncharted territory for Alexandre. Pantoja has already fought many of the top fighters at flyweight while defending his belt, so why not give him one of the most recent title challengers that he has yet to face.
I would love to see the grappling clash between Pantoja and Tatsuro Taira. Yes, Taira could do nothing on the ground against Joshua Van in his title shot, but Taira is also young and will have learned a lot from that fight. I think it’s very evenly matched on the feet, giving both fighters the ability to utilize their ground game in order to get back in the title conversations.
Armen Tsarukyan vs
Justin Gaethje
Zak Drapeau -
Alright, enough is enough. The Lightweight division is incredibly stacked at the top and a rematch with Topuria will always be on the cards for obvious reasons but Tsarukyan is overdue for a title shot for almost 2 years now. Recent rumors have Gaethje coming back to defend his belt some time in Q2 of 2027 which would be exactly on Tsarukyan's timeline for his next fight.
Mauricio Ruffy vs
Salahdine Parnesse
Matt Hylen -
This fight went just about how people expected it to go for Mauricio Ruffy. Clearly this was far too big a step up for Ruffy, who got outclassed at his own game. With that said, he should he able to reframe his mindset and come back stronger.
I really like a matchup against Salahdine Parnesse. Parnesse is coming off a huge debut win over Dan Hooker, but I think the UFC won’t want to rush him to the top just yet. Plus, we don’t know if Max Holloway, who Parnesse called out after his win, will want to stay at welterweight and wait for Connor McGreggor or come back down to lightweight. In the meantime, a matchup with Parnesse would be absolutely massive for Ruffy, who really hasn’t beaten a big ranked name to this point.
Patricio Pitbull vs
Brian Ortega
Zak Drapeau -
There is a line of thinking that Pitbull is on his last few fights and he should get more up and comers rather than giving him another ranked fighter but I think it make sense with Ortega, who himself probably shouldn't even be ranked anymore with 1 win in the last 6 years. Both men have a good following and could easily make this fight a Fight Night Main Event.
Alonzo Menifield vs
LOSER of Reyes vs Murzakanov
Matt Hylen -
I mean, what can be said about this performance other than it was one of the most grittiest in UFC history. Alonzo Menifield’s thumb was off the bone!! Yet, he was still able to manage the fight and produce enough output to win this fight. This guy showed that he is as tough as they come with otherworldly willpower. I think he deserves a fight up the ranks rather than another prospect for that fight.
I think a fight between whoever loses between Dominick Reyes and Azamat Murzakanov makes a lot of sense. The loser will likely need a fight down the rankings, leaving Menifield a prime candidate in what could be a fun striking matchup either way.
Chito Vera vs
Farid Basharat
Zak Drapeau -
It was really great to see Chito perform like he used to again in his beat down of Charles Jourdain but I wouldn't go stamping his ticket back into the Top-10 just yet. Unless O'Malley calls for a trilogy It's likely he faces someone under him again after coming off his 4-fight skid but a fight with Basharat would be a banger. The undefeated, #15 Bantamweight needs a step up in competition and Chito gives him both a marketable fight to get his name out there and a great kickboxing test for the natural wrestler.
Robelis Despaigne vs
Tallison Teixeira
Matt Hylen -
I am not sure if this is a hot take, but Robelis Despaigne looked terrible, even though he won. His defense was nonexistent; he left his hands by his side the entire fight, basically asking Tai Tuivasa to punch him in the face. Not only that, but he looked completely gassed by the end of round one and just coasted until the fight was over.
It is because of that, I think Despaigne needs another prove it fight. Tallison Teixeira is a great matchup not only because he matches Despaigne’s frame, but has the same defense and stamina flaws in his game that’s holding him back. This fight would be absolute carnage, with both Despaigne and Teixeira needing to improve in both defense and stamina in order to win.
Edmen Shabazyan vs
Jared Cannonier
Zak Drapeau -
So this one is a bit of a cop out because it's very easy to give anyone on the outside of the Middleweight rankings Cannonier, but I think this would actually be the perfect matchup for both of them. Shabazyan's career started off great at only 23-years old but he wasn't mature enough to make it count. Now, the 29-year old looks invigorated and ready to make another run through the division. Cannonier would make a great style-matchup as a heavy hitting striker to compliment Shabazyan's slick, technique-based striking and not to mention a likely swan song for Cannonier.
Casey O'Neil vs
Rose Namajunas
Matt Hylen -
While Casey O’Neil did call out Maycee Barber after her stellar submission win on Saturday, it seems a bit too steep in my eyes. Sure, Barber lost in scary fashion in her last fight, but don’t forget she was on an eight fight win streak before that and one win away from a title eliminator.
I think the fight level up for O’Neil would be Rose Namajunas. Namajunas is past her prime but still offers name value, which O’Neil needs if she wants fights like Maycee Barber. That being said, if O’Neil can repeat her level of form against a seasoned veteran like Namajunas, she will skyrocket up the ranks and absolutely deserve a Maycee Barber-level fight.
Other Fights to Make
Doo Ho Choi vs Jamall Emmers Sean Sharaf vs Thomas Petersen
Gable Steveson vs Marcus Buchecha
Iwo Baraniewski vs Ion Cutelaba
Charles Jourdain vs Da'Mon Blackshear
Tai Tuivasa vs End of Contract
Michael Aswell Jr vs Yadier del Valle
JooSang Yoo vs Sean King III
Ryan Gandra vs Tresean Gore
Ozzy Diaz vs Eric McConico
Brunno Ferreira vs Robert Valentin
Eduarda Moura vs Regina Tarin
Joanderson Brito vs Youssef Zalal
Giga Chikadze vs Tommy McMillen
Comments