Controversial decisions and vacant titles were left vacant. The main event of UFC 282 may not have gone exactly how fans expected it to go, but it certainly gave some entertaining fights.
But what is next for both the winners and losers of UFC 282?
Ilia Topuria and Bryce Mitchell
Ilia Topuria has officially broken into the top 10 of the featherweight division. Snatching Bryce Mitchell’s undefeated streak with a submission finish cannot be understated.
Topuria is now a serious contender at 145 lbs and will look to progress his way to the top. Likely taking Mitchell’s number nine rank, Topuria has a lot of hard competition in front of him. Proving himself against the likes of Giga Chikadze (ranked 8th) or Calvin Kattar (ranked 7th) would give the 25-year-old a serious chance to break into title contention.
Bryce Mitchell put his all into this bout. Fans can only respect Mitchell regardless of the loss and minimal stock should be taken away from the Arkansas native. For the first time in his UFC career, Mitchell will have to bounce back from a loss. With a matchup between Dan Ige and Damon Jackson in January, the timing of that could make Mitchell facing the winner a real possibility.
Darren Till and Dricus Du Plessis
Though it is always heartbreaking watching Darren Till lose, it is exciting to see a fighter such as Dricus Du Plessis beat such a big name.
The South African now has the chance to make some waves at the top end of the middleweight division. If Du Plessis is to take the number 10 spot off Till, he will have Jack Hermanson and Roman Dolidze right in front of him. However, if he bides his time, he may be able to wait out for one of the competitors of Sean Strickland and Jarod Cannoniers’ upcoming bout.
Till on the other hand knows he must go back and make some decisions. At only 29, the Liverpudlian is faced with a dilemma in his career. The young man has not had the best experience at 185lbs and hasn’t completely ruled out a return to welterweight. If the cut is done safely drop to 170 may make sense.
Santiago Ponzinibbio and Alex Morono
A lot of credit must be given to Alex Morono despite his loss. Showing great spells in the fight before being finished by Santiago Ponzinibbio. A fight put together at such late notice, was a pleasant surprise it was as fun and well-matched at times.
For the winner, Ponzinibbio, it would likely make sense to rebook his initial bout with Robbie Lawler. The match excited fans when it was announced and disappointed when it was cancelled so why not rebook the bout?
Morono on the other hand showed he can stand with the likes of Ponzinibbio during the bout. Both coming off losses, a matchup between Morono and Bryan Barberena would be a close fight to predict, and one UFC fans would surely get behind.
Paddy Pimblett and Jarod Gordon
Pimblett and Gordon fought a hard fight to score. Many believed Gordon was unlucky not to get his hand raised. ‘The Baddy’ did enough to win over the judges and progress in his early UFC career. Although he may have not got the first-round finish he wanted, Pimblett secured a crucial win.
Paddy Pimblett’s plan of taking his time to the top continues, however. Still, in no rush to break into the rankings, there are plenty of dangerous unranked lightweights out there. With UFC heading back to London for a PPV, Pimblett might be headed back to his home country in March. Both unranked with a name for themselves in the sport and coming off a win, a matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Michael Johnson at UFC London would have MMA fans licking their lips. The thought of the exchange between the two 155lb’ers both verbally and physically would be a spectacle.
Gordon on the other hand can be the first to say he took Pimblett the distance in the UFC. If Pimblett is to be matched up with Johnson, why not give Gordon the loser of his recent bout on the same card? Marc Diakase has previously appeared on UFC cards in the UK and may want to return. The time frame fits and the skills would make for a great fight.
Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev
Maybe not the decision either was looking for, both men seemed disappointed with the decision on good authority. Both had worked hard to get to where they were and took a late-notice decision to move their bout to a five-round title fight.
Now, the UFC has decided to make Glover Teixeira and Jamal Hill’s upcoming bout at UFC 283 for the still-vacant title. Meaning that neither man will get an immediate chance to get the belt back.
Therefore, it could be in favour of both men to rematch each other. A chance to knock the other one out of a title race and prove that they bettered the other once and for all. Not only would it be for bragging rights, but it would also make the winner clear for the next crack at the 205lb belt following Teixeira’s bout with Hill.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
