The latest
Ultimate Fighting Championship event featured some unexpected
results and left the door open for potential intriguing
matchups.
UFC on ESPN 51 is in the books, with
Vicente
Luque making a successful Octagon return a year after suffering
that worrying knockout loss against
Geoff Neal in
August 2022. In a highly-anticipated welterweight showdown, “The
Silent Assassin” clashed with former 155-pound titleholder
Rafael dos
Anjos in a five-round battle. Luque's striking and clinch work
were key factors throughout the match. Ultimately, Luque's
well-rounded performance earned him a hard-fought unanimous
decision.
In the thrilling featherweight co-headliner,
Cub Swanson
and
Hakeem
Dawodu engaged in an action-packed, three-round affair. The
fight showcased a back-and-forth exchange of strikes, with both
duelists displaying their striking arsenal. Swanson's aggressive
approach led to intense slugfests, while Dawodu countered with
technical precision. After the dust settled, the judges rewarded
Swanson’s resilience with a unanimous decision victory.
Here’s a list of matchups worth exploring after UFC on ESPN 51.
A clash of surging welterweight contenders promises a thrilling and
dynamic contest featuring explosive striking exchanges and
strategic grappling exchanges. Luque is known for his aggressive
striking style and potent finishing abilities, while Brady brings a
well-rounded game with strong grappling and wrestling skills. The
welterweight division is stacked with talent and competitiveness.
The outcome of this matchup could significantly impact the
division's landscape as a win for either fighter could
significantly propel them toward the top of the and potentially
earn them a shot at higher-ranked opponents or title
contention.
Years might pass, but Swanson is still a menace to reckon with in
the Octagon. After 12 years in the UFC, finding an opponent he
hasn’t faced yet in the 145-pound division is quite challenging.
Coming off a recent unanimous decision over
Damon
Jackson,
Billy
Quarantillo looks like a suitable adversary for “Killer.”
Swanson's veteran experience, striking creativity and willingness
to engage in exciting brawls would mesh well with Quarantillo's
aggressive and relentless approach. It could result in a thrilling
back-and-forth tilt with the potential for a dramatic finish.
Rountree's muay thai and suddenness proved to be the decisive
factors in his latest assignment, showcasing his dominance in the
division with a fourth straight win and further solidifying his
reputation as a formidable force in the UFC. Looking at the top of
the 205-pound division, Krylov immediately comes to mind for an
enthralling matchup. Both fighters possess high finish rates and a
penchant for delivering thrilling fights, ensuring an action-packed
encounter. Rountree's power and striking precision would test
Krylov's durability, while The Miner’s grappling and submission
threat could pose challenges for Rountree.
Lucindo's recent victory over Viana marked her return to winning by
submission, showcasing her skills and ability to finish the fight
on her terms. McKenna would definitely be an interesting opponent
for Lucindo in the women’s strawweight division, with both fighters
coming off back-to-back triumphs. Both fighters have shown their
versatility, with McKenna's striking combinations and clinch
control contrasting Lucindo's dynamic striking techniques and
grappling prowess. Lucindo's submission threat and ground game
would be tested against McKenna's ability to mix striking with
takedowns and ground control.
Both Fremd and Dobson walked out at UFC on ESPN 51 on a mission to
cement their status in the middleweight division and picked up a
decision victory at the end of the night. Fremd demonstrated a
diverse range of techniques, while
Dana White’s Contender Series alum Dobson secured a win through
a methodical performance that focused on control and effective
counter-striking. Provided the 6-foot-4 tall Fremd can make the
185-pound division limit again (since he missed weight by three
pounds ahead of his latest assignment), a matchup between Fremd and
Dobson would be compelling due to their determination and ability
to adapt.