Matchmaking After UFC Fight Night Muhammad vs Bonfim

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 6/9/2026

Photo by Chris Unger/ Zuffa LLC

Gabriel Bonfim vs

Michael Morales

Matt Hylen -

If this were to happen, it would be must-see TV. With Gabriel Bonfim’s win over Belal Muhammad, it propels him right into that top-7 range that could definitely warrant a fight against a legit contender.

With the welterweight division so crowded at the top, it is safe to say that both Bonfim and Michael Morales need one more fight before making a legitimate case for either a title eliminator or even a title shot. Regardless, the striking-heavy styles of these two would create some major fireworks and certainly make a strong case for whoever wins. Both are young, hungry fighters who have accelerated their path very quickly, so I’d be interested to see how this one pans out.

Belal Muhammad vs

Yaroslav Amosov

Zak Drapeau -

After his win at UFC 328, we decided that Amosov, the undefeated number 12 fighter at Welterweight, should get the loser of this much-anticipated Main Event, and so a future date with Belal Muhammad is the way to go.

Muhammad showed that age is catching up with him but still put on a heck of a Main Event with Bonfim in a losing effort. While the former title holder's best days are behind him, he certainly still has a lot left in the tank, and a fight with the unproven Amosov is his best chance to remain Top-10 while the challenger finally gets a much-wanted step up against a champion like Belal.

Brendan Allen vs

Dricus Du Plessis

Matt Hylen -

This honestly feels like a little much to me, but nothing else really makes sense for Brendan Allen at this point. I was considering a guy like Joe Pyfer, but he will probably look to fight sooner than Allen will be ready to after the fight cancellation with Pyfer and Caio Borralho.

With that said, Allen took a risk and it paid off. Though he went to war and not being able to finish an unranked fighter was a red flag to me, he still got the job done and maintained his top-4 status. So, with Dricus Du Plessis being one of the only guys without a fight at this moment in time, giving Allen a title eliminator against him could make some sense. It allows Allen to get truly tested against an elite striker while allowing Du Plessis to showcase his grappling defense after being humiliated by Khamzat Chimaev.

Edmen Shabazyan vs

14Roman Dolidze

Zak Drapeau -

Shahbazyan had a big moment this weekend against a Top-5 fighter, and while he didn't get the win, he definitely showed me enough to give him a Top-15 fight next. Shahbazyan should already be knocking on that door anyway, somewhere between 16-20 in the division.

Facing Roman Dolidze would make a lot of sense. Dolidze is definitely a gatekeeper at 185 right now, and after 2 losses in a row, a challenge against a guy like Shahbazyan is necessary. Not only necessary, but a stand-up war as well, with Dolidze's power and Shahbazyan's technique and length, would make a great fight that could honestly main event a Fight Night the way UFC has been going.

Tom Nolan vs

Renato Moicano

Matt Hylen -

When I said I was not on the Fares Ziam hype train, this was exactly why. Tom Nolan is an absolute dog; he will do anything the fight asks him to do and will do it extremely well. He is tough as nails, has a chin of steel, and presented himself as a top-3 prospect in this division.

Nolan absolutely deserves a test next after beating such a hyped fighter in Ziam. I think Renato Moicano, who Nolan called out post-fight and presents a different style of fighting than Ziam did, will be the best way to really see if Nolan is ready to be a contender. If he can defeat a seasoned veteran like Moicano, who has fought in a championship setting before, Nolan will solidify his status as a major contender moving forward.

Bryce Mitchell vs

Marcus McGhee

Zak Drapeau -

Everything lines up perfectly for these two Bantamweight phenoms to clash sometime in the fall of 2026. McGhee's power and boxing versus Mitchell's relentless wrestling is a fight I need to see and one that is incredibly important for the division.

For both men, it is a challenge to see if they can withstand their technical weaknesses that the other exploits. While it's just as likely we see the UFC instead give both of these guys veterans higher in the rankings so as not to slow down their ascent and make bigger stars of them, I think we should have the fight sooner rather than later and see which one is more for real and a possible future title challenger.

Iwo Baraniewski vs

Alonzo Menifield

Matt Hylen -

This matchup is staying in line with our previous matchmaking article regarding who Alonzo Menifield should fight next. With that said, I think Iwo Baraniewski could get an even bigger fight, such as a Jamahal Hill matchup, but Alonzo Menifield could be one more stepping stone for Baraniewski if the UFC doesn't think he's ready just yet.

We all knew Baraniewski would crush Junior Tafa, so I want to see him get truly tested against a ranked opponent. I need to see what his style looks like when up against opponents with experience, which Menifield can provide. Both are heavy hitters and love to chase an early finish, so stylistically fans should be excited if this was to happen.

Edgar Chairez vs

Tim Elliot

Zak Drapeau -

We've been screaming about Chairez for months now, and after his big win this weekend, he is finally ranked in the Flyweights. With a clogged and albeit great division right now, I can't see him getting too high of a jump right away, but a fight with number 12 Tim Elliott makes sense to me.

After Tim's loss to Steve Erceg, he probably needs a fight below him, and Chairez needs at least one more fight before he gets to the Morenos, Albazis, and higher.

Other Fights to Make

Fares Ziam vs Drakkar Klose

Santiago Luna vs Said Nurmagomedov

Junior Tafa vs Bruno Lopes

Matt Schnell vs Jose Ochoa

John Yannis vs Miles Johns

Bruno Silva vs Alessandro Costa

Chelsea Chandler vs Nora Cornolle

Priscilla Cachoeira  vs Darya Zhelesnyakova

Joanderson Brito vs William Gomis

Jordan Leavitt vs Jose Delano

Jeisla Chaves vs Ernesta Kaeckaite

Yuneisy Duben vs Vanessa Demopoulos

Ketlen Souza vs Denise Gomes

Ariane Carnelossi vs Puja Tomar