Next matches to make for winners and losers of UFC Greenville: Moicano vs Korean Zombie
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UFC Greenville is in the books. Overall it was a solid event that provided some entertaining moments. The prelims featured the second fastest heavyweight knockout in UFC history with Jairzhino Rozenstruick melting Allen Crowder in just 9 seconds. We got a bloodbath via “Violent Bob Ross” Luis Pena as he battered the returning Matt Wiman.
Then it was on to the main card, which did slow down a bit at the beginning but ended with an absolute bang.
And that’s what we’ll be focusing on today. The main card of last Saturday’s Fight Night. We’re going to play matchmaker and give our picks for who the winners and losers should face in their next trips to the Octagon.
The winners:
Chan Sung Jung vs Jose Aldo 2
“The Korean Zombie” looked spectacular at UFC Greenville over the weekend. It took him less than a minute to drop Renato Moicano with a vicious combination and finish him with shots on the ground. Jung may only be 1-1 in his last two outings, but the win over Moicano justifies a leap forward in the rankings. With most of the top of the division booked up or waiting for their title shot, the only free fighter in the top-five is Jose Aldo.
Jung challenged for Aldo’s featherweight title back in 2013. Aldo won the contest via TKO when Jung suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth round.
Now is as good a time as ever for the rematch. Jung actually called for the rematch in a video posted earlier today by a Korean news outlet. Both men are 2-1 in their last three. Aldo is ranked in the top three of the division and coming off a loss. Jung should be sitting right around number five after Saturday’s victory. Also, stylistically, the rematch would be an absolute treat for fans.
Randy Brown vs Warlley Alves
Randy Brown and Bryan Barberena put on the fight we expected them to. Both men threw down, and it was rather close until the third round. That’s when Brown hurt Barberena to the body, landed some flush elbows and then finished him with a flurry against the cage.
Brown has alternated wins and losses over the last couple of years but has shown some solid technique in his outings. At only 28, “Rude Boy“ still has some time to develop before he gets a big jump up in competition.
Warlley Alves is another guy whose UFC record is spotty, but he’s been in the cage with some killers. Alves is a good everywhere and coming off a third-round knockout victory of his own over Sergio Moraes. Alves did just have the last fight on his contract, but assuming he’s sticking around the UFC, a fight with Brown is the one to make.
Andre Ewell vs Luke Sanders
Andre Ewell’s victory over Anderson dos Santos moves him to 2-1 in the UFC. In what was Ewell’s best performance, he busted up dos Santos in a rather one-sided affair. How about matching him up against another bantamweight who’s 2-1 in his last three and also has a penchant for standing and trading? Luke Sanders fits the bill.
Andrea Lee vs the winner of Lauren Murphy and Mara Romero Borella
Andrea Lee is now 3-0 in the UFC and 7-0 since 2017. While she is on one of the longest streaks in her division, Lee is also only 24-years-old and doesn’t need to be rushed into a fight with the champion just yet. She was candid in her post-fight interview in saying that she wanted to get some ranked opponents next and keep moving up the ladder.
Lauren Murphy is slightly ahead of Lee in the official UFC rankings. Murphy is scheduled to fight against Mara Romero Borella in August. The winner of that fight makes sense for the still-developing Lee.
Kevin Holland vs Zak Cummings
Since taking a short-notice fight against Thiago Silva, Kevin Holland is now 3-0 in the UFC. Thing is, media and fans have been split on whether he should’ve been given the nod in his last two outings. Both were very close fights that many people scored for Holland’s opponents.
So let’s hold off on moving Holland up the rankings too much. I say book him against Zak Cummings. Cummings is 4-1 in his last five, a veteran in the sport, and very well-rounded. He’s exactly the kind of fighter to give Holland a stern test.
Matches to make for the losers of UFC Greenville:
Renato Moicano: Moicano has lost two in a row and needs a step back in competition at this point. Book him against the loser of Josh Emmett and Mirsad Bektic who fight next month.
Bryan Barberena: “Bam Bam” always puts on a show win or lose. Unfortunately for him, he’s lost more than he’s won over the last few years. Like Barberena, Tim Means is also 2-3 in his last five and loves a good war himself. Barberena vs. “Dirty Bird” is the fight to make.
Anderson dos Santos: Let him fight Wuliji Buren in a loser leaves town match.
Montana De La Rosa: The loser of Lauren Murphy and Mara Romero Borella works for me. It keeps De La Rosa active against top- fifteen fighters while still giving her a potentially winnable fight.
Alessio Di Chirico: Alessio Di Chirico was supposed to meet Tom Breese earlier this year. That’s a good fight to reschedule down the road.
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Brandon is a long-time combat sports fan who has covered fights since 2017. His work can be found at The Scrap News, The Body Lock, and Fansided MMA. Follow Brandon on Twitter (@B_S_Sibcy).
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