At UFC Fight Night 235, the Apex was buzzing. Thirteen fights lit up the night, showcasing the raw talent of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Despite missing the big-name allure, “UFC Vegas 85” delivered, especially with its main event. Middleweights Roman Dolidze and Nassourdine Imavov clashed, making headlines.
Meanwhile, over in the boxing world, DAZN Boxing was stealing some thunder. Conor Benn and Peter Dobson headlined, drawing eyes away from the octagon. Interestingly, UFC’s big boss, Dana White, chose this over his own event at the Apex. This move had fans puzzled and sparked debates. Why was Dana at the boxing match? Was he doubting the appeal of Apex events?
As the dust settles on “UFC Vegas 85,” it’s time to think about what’s next. Specifically, for those who didn’t have their hands raised. Let’s dive into some matchmaking for these fighters looking to bounce back.
Gilbert Urbina faced a tough night, falling to Charles Radtke. Radtke’s precision and power ended things in the first round. Now, Urbina’s at a crossroads after his third UFC bout. Who’s next for him? Adam Fugitt is a name that pops up. Both fighters share a 1-2 record in the UFC, making it a fair fight. Or perhaps Pete Rodriguez, who also faced defeat that night, could be a good match. Both are looking to redeem themselves, making it an interesting setup.
The middleweight bout between Khizriev and Muradov ended unexpectedly. An accidental eye poke called the fight off in just 11 seconds. Fans are left wanting more. A rematch seems the right move, assuming Muradov’s quick recovery. If not, there are other contenders waiting in the wings. Sharabutdin Magomedov or Abusupiyan Magomedov could offer Muradov a worthy challenge.
Natalia Silva celebrated her birthday with a win over Viviane Araujo. Silva’s speed and striking were too much for Araujo. Now 5-0 in the UFC, Silva’s making waves in the flyweight division. Araujo, at 37, isn’t out of the fight yet. A match against Jasmine Jasudavicius could reignite her fire. Or maybe a bout with Tracy Cortez could test her against another rising contender.
Randy Brown made quick work of Muslim Salikhov, stopping him in the first round. At 39, Salikhov’s options are narrowing, but a fight against Jake Matthews could be on the cards. Matthews, with recent losses, could provide an interesting challenge for the veteran.
Despite a loss to Renato Carneiro, Drew Dober’s exciting style keeps him in the mix. The lightweight division is packed with potential matchups. A fight against Paddy Pimblett could be particularly compelling. Dober’s experience could test Pimblett’s rise in the division.
The main event saw Nassourdine Imavov secure a major win over Roman Dolidze. A head kick and a point deduction made for a dramatic fight, but Imavov landed the more significant strikes. This victory propels him further in the middleweight rankings.
For Dolidze, a bout against Ikram Aliskerov could be next. Aliskerov’s recent setback and Dolidze’s recovery timeline might just align for an intriguing matchup. Both fighters are looking to prove themselves, setting the stage for a must-see fight.