What To Do After Fight Night Emmett vs Vallejos
- Sportz Nation Staff
- 3 minutes ago
- 5 min read
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Sportz Nation - 3/16/26
Kevin Vallejos vs
Yair Rodriguez
Zak Drapeau -
Vallejos has shown me enough that he should be taken seriously and given a top fight, and Yair Rodriguez seemingly has nothing else going on. A step up to #3 may be a bit soon for the 23-year-old, but after dispatching Chikadze and Emmett in the fashion he did, I'm ready to get a better look at what this phenom can do against a higher-quality opponent.
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Josh Emmett vs
Pat Sabatini
Matt Hylen -
With Josh Emmett having now lost five of his last six fights, it is time for a step down. Emmett's draw will always be there because of the KO ability he has, but he has not shown nearly enough in any other aspect to justify another ranked opponent. Pat Sabatini is one of the fighters most worthy of a ranked opponent next, making this matchup ideal for both parties. It could be a chance for Emmett to save his career, while giving Sabatini a fight he has earned and has been waiting for.
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Gillian Robertson vs
WINNER of Suarez vs Godinez
Zak Drapeau -
Robertson should be getting a #5 ranking after this weekend, and it's well-deserved. I was really thinking about a title eliminator for her next fight, but the way the Strawweight division is right now, that's going to be hard. Instead, the winner of Loopy Godinez vs. Tatiana Suarez would be a perfect next opponent and likely the #2 or #3 in the division then. Would this fight be enough to give the winner a title shot next? That all depends on the prospective Dern-Zhang match and where Jandiroba mixes in. Like I said, this division is tough right now at the top.
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Amanda Lemos vs
Fatima Kline
Matt Hylen -
This marks Lemos' 4th loss since her title shot in 2023, meaning a fight down is definitely needed in order to get back in the top-ranked conversation. Fatima Kline is one of the bigger, if not the biggest, up-and-comers the division has to offer, presenting a unique striking challenge for a striker herself in Lemos. I think this could be an extremely fun fight that will likely not make the final bell. Kline deserves a high-ranked opponent, with Lemos needing a fight down to prove she is still worthy of being at that top-tier spot.
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Jose Delgado vs
David Onama
Zak Drapeau -
Delgado may have only beaten Andre Fili by a tight split decision, but he's been due for a ranked fight for a while, and now the UFC should really throw him in with a guy like Onama. The 27-year-old should be around the #17 mark of the division, and Onama is barely hanging on to his #15 ranking. This fight makes a lot of sense from a rankings and style point of view, with both guys loving to get in a scrappy kickboxing match that excites the fans.
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Marwan Rahiki vs
Ricardo Ramos
Matt Hylen -
Despite it ending early due to corner stoppage, this was easily the most entertaining fight of the year so far in my opinion. Both Rahiki and Hardwick were throwing down, with no regard for any sort of defense. With that said, from what we saw this past Saturday, Rahiki has some real potential but is still unpolished.
I think an opponent like Ricardo Ramos could be a great test for Rahiki. Ramos has fought some talented fighters, such as Charles Jourdain, Kaan Ofli, and Chepe Mariscal, so the experience is definitely there. He also presents a different sort of Jiu-Jitsu style that Rahiki has not fought before.
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Myktybek Orolbai vs
Colby Covington
Zak Drapeau -
This is one of my favorite matchmaking ideas I've done in a long time, and I also know it will likely never happen. But BOOOOY would this be a good fight. Say what you want about Colby over the past few years, but he's a gamer who has elite wrestling that could stop the inevitable freight train that is Mykytek Orolbai. The "Kyrgyzstan Khabib" has been running through the Welterweight division and is due for a ranked fight. While I could see him go higher than #14, perhaps against the loser of Burns vs. Malott in a few weeks.
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Elijah Smith vs
Jean Matsumoto
Elijah Smith showed yet again that he is the real deal and a legitimate prospect in the Bantamweight division. With another stellar finish added to his resume, I think Smith deserves a real test that puts him on the map even more.
Jean Matsumoto is a very tough fighter that was arguably robbed in his last fight; his boxing style and grappling ability could present a real challenge for Smith. I think a winner in this matchup could be in for a ranked eliminator fight next. Both are interesting prospects with a balanced style, making the idea of a potential matchup very intriguing.
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Beatriz Mesquita vs
Macy Chiasson
Matt Hylen -
I have said this a million times and I'll say it again: Bea Mesquita is the biggest threat to the throne Kayla Harrison sits on in the Women's Bantamweight division. She is so skilled wherever the fight goes, with this win being the best of the bunch.
With Mesquita already being a decorated fighter outside the UFC and dominating the unranked opponents, it is time to give her a real challenge within the rankings inside the UFC. Macy Chiasson should be her target; I think Chiasson is in need of a fight after her last loss. Chiasson may not be more than a stepping stone for Mesquita, but it allows Mesquita to position herself well inside the rankings, while justifying a top-5 opponent if she wins.
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Other Notable Fights
to Make
Ion Cutelaba vs Billy Elekana
Charles Johnson vs Asu Almabayev
Vitor Petrino vs Ante Delija
Piera Rodriguez vs Angela Hill
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-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak)
-Matt Hylen (@matthylen_)
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