The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was back in Mexico City, Mexico with UFC Fight Night 98: Dos Anjos vs. Ferguson. Following the entertaining night of scraps south of the border, let’s take a look at a few potential matchups featuring some of the competitors from the evening… Rafael dos Anjos vs. Dustin Poirier Dos Anjos came up short in a unanimous decision to Tony Ferguson and is now on a two-fight skid, including losing his title to Eddie Alvarez this last summer. For his next outing, I would like to see him take on Dustin Poirier, who recently had his hot run halted by a first-round knockout at the hands of Michael Johnson. I think RDA vs. Poirier would make for a solid fight in the UFC’s lightweight division, and I believe it is one of three matchups that would make some sense for the former champion, the other two potential contests being aginst Gilbert Melendez or Rashid Magomedov. Beneil Dariush vs. Edson Barboza Darius took a somewhat controversial unanimous decision over Rashid Magomedov and now enjoys a two-fight winning streak inside the Octagon, including a first-round TKO of TUF 15 veteran James Vick. For his next bout, I would like to see him challenge Edson Barboza, who is also riding a two-fight winning streak. The victor of his potential 155-pound contest would move up the divisions rankings and improve to three in a row while the loser will be forced to take another look at the drawing board. I think Nate Diaz and Barboza are the only opponents that currently make sense for Dariush, and I think the Barboza bout would be the more likely scenario. I would like to see this bout on the main card for the UFC’s Super Bowl Pay-Per-View card in February, which will likely be UFC 208. Alexa Grasso vs. VanZant/Waterson Winner Grasso made her promotional debut at this past Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 98 in Mexico City, and the Mexican strawweight kept her undefeated record intact with a unanimous decision victory over Heather Jo Clark. For her next outing inside the Octagon, I would like to see her take on the winner of next month’s bout between Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson. Grasso facing off against either female would make for a high-profile matchup. Erik Perez vs. Rani Yahya Perez earned a unanimous decision victory over Felipe Arantes and now enjoys a three-fight winning streak at 135 pounds, including a pair of unanimous-decision wins over Taylor Lapilus and Francisco Rivera, respectively. For his next bout, I would like to see “Goyito” take on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Rani Yahya, who is currently riding hot on a four-fight winning streak. I think Perez vs. Yahya would make for an excellent matchup in the UFC’s bantamweight division, and it would truly be a fight I would be excited to see. Not to mention, the potential matchup also makes plenty of sense, as it is one I would like to see quickly booked for February’s UFC Fight Night in Houston, where Perez would figure to have an advantage with Houston’s Mexican crowd.
