The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) started 2024 with a bang at UFC Fight Night 234. The event had its fair share of thrilling victories and significant setbacks, paving the way for considerable changes in the rankings.
A total of seven finishes were recorded in 11 fights, marking a robust beginning for UFC in the new year. Now, it’s time to talk about the fighters who found themselves on the losing end. Let’s dive into potential matchups for the main card losers from that Saturday night.
Andrei Arlovski, the 44-year-old, is grappling with an unusual situation. Despite his commendable resilience, he suffered his third consecutive defeat on Saturday. The former heavyweight champion is clearly in the twilight of his career, yet he seems reluctant to discuss retirement. It’s high time to find him winnable matchups, or at least competitively appropriate ones.
Blagoy Ivanov could be the ideal candidate. He’s another seasoned veteran who seems older than his 37 years and has lost two straight and four of his last five. Most importantly, he’s one of the few longtime UFC heavyweights who hasn’t yet faced Arlovski.
Phil Hawes was knocked out at UFC Fight Night 234 by Brunno Ferreira, nicknamed “The Hulk.” This extends Hawes’ losing streak to three, leaving him at 1-4 in his last five, with all four losses by first-round knockout. A fitting next opponent could be Gerald Meerschaert, who, like Hawes, has faced recent setbacks with three losses in his last four bouts.
Ricky Simon lost to Mario Bautista in a captivating three-round slugfest. Despite this being Simon’s second consecutive loss, at 31, he still has the potential for a championship run with well-matched opponents. A bout with a rising contender like Said Nurmagomedov could offer both fighters significant opportunities and challenges.
Gabriel Benitez lost to Jim Miller at UFC Fight Night 234. This is Benitez’s third setback in four fights, making championship aspirations seem distant. However, a matchup with another seasoned veteran such as Clay Guida emerges as an ideal scenario.
Johnny Walker lost to Magomed Ankalaev in a rematch that concluded without controversy. This bout marked Walker’s first loss since February 2022. Now at a pivotal juncture in his career, the 31-year-old can still embark on another title pursuit but needs a step back first. A matchup against the likes of Tyson Pedro presents an intriguing prospect for Walker’s resurgence in the light heavyweight division.