What To Do After Fight Night Malott vs Burns

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 4/21/2026

Photo by Simon Fearn/ Imagn Images

Mike Malott vs

LOSER Joaquin Buckley/Sean Brady

Matt Hylen -

Mike Malott looked fantastic in his first career UFC event. He was patient, but once he found his shot, it was over for Gilbert Burns. With Malott now in the top-15, I think a challenge is on the horizon for the Canadian native.

With the loser of Joaquin Buckley and Sean Brady needing a fight down, I think it could make for a very interesting matchup for Malott. If Buckley loses, it gives Malott his biggest test on the feet. On the other hand, if Brady loses, it'll give Malott his biggest grappling test yet. Either way, it allows for Malott to showcase his talent and potentially get a top-5 opponent next with a win.

Charles Jourdain vs

Farid Basharat

Zak Drapeau -

Jourdain looked really good this past weekend against Phillip and is now 3-0 since moving to the Bantamweight division. I would love to give him someone higher up than #15 Basharat, but with so many guys at 135 being worthy of a Top-15 fight, this one made the most sense.

Farid Basharat is at a very similar spot to Jourdain, on a good win streak but without a notable victory. This fight would see two guys right at the brink of making a run in the division, and the winner would get a Top-10 fight next.

Kyler Phillips vs

Ethyn Ewing

Matt Hylen -

Kyler Phillips did not look bad against Charles Jourdain, but his lack of ability to take advantage of his control time ultimately lost him this fight. If he dealt some damage on the ground, he would have cruised to an easy win. With that said, he did lose, so a fight down is likely the next option for Phillips.

Though we predict a fight down for Phillips, it is likely the step is not too drastic. Matching Phillips up against an up-and-comer like Ethyn Ewing, who is coming off a TKO win his last time out, would put Phillips in a sort of gatekeeping position I think he is currently built for. The winner could get a ranked eliminator next, but it also provides both fighters with a stylistic clash that could showcase their strengths.

Jai Herbert vs

Michael Johnson

Zak Drapeau -

Jai Herbert may only have a few fights left at 37 years old but could definitely still take part in some banger fights. A brawler who is as tough as he is powerful, Herbert would match up great with some of the lightweight's toughest, including Drew Dober, Jim Miller, and in this case, Michael Johnson.

A match of this caliber would otherwise give me a ranked fight-eliminator vibe, but with these two at the end of their careers, I think it's more about giving them a money fight and a memorable fight between one or both notable names.

Jasmine Jasudavicius vs

Maycee Barber

Matt Hylen -

Though it was not her most inspiring performance of her career, Jasmine Jasudavicius was able to showcase her grappling against a veteran opponent and get the job done when she needed to. This win was her fourth in her last five, so a fight up makes the most sense in my opinion.

Considering Maycee Barber lost her last fight but was on a massive win streak beforehand, a fight against someone close to her #5 ranking is the most likely scenario. Thus, Jasudavicius could match up against a fighter that presents a challenge both on the feet and the ground.

Gauge Young vs

Daniel Zellhuber

Zak Drapeau -

Young has now won 2 in a row in the UFC over Maheshate and Thiago Moises and could be in line to get a major push soon. Giving him a guy like Zellhuber will both give Daniel a chance to get back in the win column and give Young an opportunity to fight for a number afterward.

Melissa Croden vs

Luana Cornolle

Matt Hylen -

Croden looked pretty good on Saturday night. She was resilient but was able to keep a high pace throughout the fight, which impressed me. With the Women's Bantamweight division shallow with unranked fighters, I could absolutely see her get a ranked opponent next, considering her run of form.

J.J. Aldrich vs

Miranda Maverick

Zak Drapeau -

J.J. Aldrich won a decent fight against Lyn-Horth and solidified her ranking, but does she really deserve a fight much higher up? I'm gonna give her Miranda Maverick next, who sits at 10 and lost last time out to Rose.

The women's 125-division is completely in the air right now with none of its top 25 fighters having a scheduled bout. In truth, Aldrich could get any fighter from #20 to #10 in my eyes, but seeing as she's technically won 4 of her last 5 fights dating back to the summer of 2023, let's give her #10.

Marcio Barbosa vs

Losene Keita

Matt Hylen -

Marcio Barbosa delivered a vicious KO on Saturday night, continuing his impressive run of first-round KOs. With Barbosa being the exciting and dangerous fighter he is, a massive fight against another dangerous fighter like Losene Keita could put the winner in a ranked eliminator fight next. The UFC needs more fighters like Barbosa, so I would not be surprised at all if he is fast-tracked more than his résumé suggests he should be.

Other Fights To Make:

Mandel Nallo vs Darrius Flowers

Karine Silva vs Carli Judice

Robert Valentin vs Dustin Stoltzfus

Gokhan Saricam vs Steven Asplund

Darya Zheleznyakova vs WINNER of Chandler/Cachoeira

Jamey Lyn-Horth vs Juliana Miller

John Castaneda vs Mark Vologdin