Matches to Make After UFC 292

The Ultimate Fighting Championship's latest pay-per-view was a visit to Boston, headlined by title fights at men's bantamweight and women's strawweight. In the UFC 292 main event, Aljamain Sterling defended his crown against popular striker Sean O'Malley.

While Sterling won the bantamweight title under unique circumstances, doing so via disqualification in a fight he was badly losing to champion Petr Yan, he had proven himself an all-time great champion. Sterling had defended his throne three straight times heading into Saturday, all against legendary former champions. First he edged out Yan in a rematch via split decision, then he pounded out T.J. Dillashaw in the second, sending him into retirement, and most recently, took a close but deserved judges' verdict over the returning Henry Cejudo, who was then the lineal UFC bantamweight champion and former champ-champ. That fight was only three months ago, and Sterling was clearly unhappy that he was forced to undergo another weight cut and defend his title so soon after a grueling five rounder.

O'Malley, for his part, had only a single win against a Top 10 bantamweight heading into the title match, and that one came with a huge asterisk. O'Malley took a split decision over Yan that was Sherdog's 2022 Robbery of the Year. Most observers, myself included, had it as a clear 30-27 for Yan, but two of three cageside judges viewed it differently.

Sterling clearly won the first round with a mix of effective kicks and grappling. However, early in the second he was nailed with a massive right cross, dropping him. Sterling was fully conscious and intelligently defending himself on the canvas, but referee Marc Goddard stepped in and stopped it, adding yet another controversial ending to an O'Malley fight. Regardless, O'Malley is the new UFC bantamweight champion.

In the co-main, UFC women's strawweight champion Weili Zhang attempted the first defense of her second championship reign against highly skilled contender Amanda Lemos. Since losing her title to Rose Namajunas and then being defeated in the rematch in 2021, Zhang has looked better than ever, knocking out Joanna Jedrzejczyk into retirement in 2022 with a beautiful spinning backfist, a rematch of their famous 2020 encounter, and then choking out Carla Esparza in the second stanza to win the title for a second time. Lemos came in with an impressive 7-1 record in the UFC women's 115-pound division, the lone loss a first-round submission to former champion Jessica Andrade in early 2022. Since then, she had looked outstanding in choking out Michelle Waterson-Gomez in the second before knocking out highly dangerous fellow Brazilian Michelle Rodriguez in the third. However, Zhang dominated the fight for 25 straight minutes. She continually took Lemos down and then smashed her with brutal ground-and-pound. For good measure, Zhang also repeatedly scored with side-kicks and dropped Lemos with a right cross. Lemos showed heart in surviving to the final bell but little else, with Zhang retaining by lopsided scores of 50-43, 50-44 and 49-45.

In other action, undefeated blue-chip prospect Ian Garry passed his toughest test yet with flying colors, beating highly-skilled and longtime Top 15 veteran Neil Magny from pillar to post for 15 minutes, even attaining a rare scorecard of 30-24. In another bantamweight affair, Marlon Vera and Pedro Munhoz engaged in a spirited striking affair for 15 minutes. The vast majority of media and fans alike had it 29-28 Munhoz, but alas, none of the judges did. What's even more perplexing is that two of them had it 30-27 Vera, when not even the few media who had the fight it for Vera awarded him better than a 29-28.

With the event over, here are several exciting bouts to book for the future:

Related » UFC 292 Round-by-Round Scoring

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Dvalishvili is the No. 1 contender in the division, head and shoulders above the rest. However, he refused to face then champion Sterling as they are close friends and training partners. Now that O'Malley is the champion, Dvalishvili should have no problems accepting a title shot. Moreover, there is already a built-in feud between the two after their angry face-off and insults towards one another after the Sterling-Cejudo fight. This would be a terrific co-main or main event for a PPV, pitting Dvalishvili's endless cardio, outstanding wrestling, and increasingly good kickboxing against O'Malley's terrific striking, monstrous right hand and improving takedown and ground defense. Should be a lot of fun, with a multitude of outcomes possible.

Weili Zhang vs. Yan Xiaonan

The all-Chinese showdown makes the most sense for the women's strawweight title. Xianonan is ranked No. 3 but Zhang has already smashed No. 1 Esparza and No. 2 Namajunas is scheduled to face Manon Fiorot at flyweight. Xianonan is also coming off two impressive victories, showing improved grappling in defeating Mackenzie Dern and then recording a superb knockout in just under half a round against former champion Andrade. On the feet, this will be exciting and closely contested, with both women having excellent movement and powerful, effective kicks from a more traditional martial arts background as well as potent punches. In the grappling, Zhang will likely have a considerable advantage, but given Xianonan's recent improvements, perhaps she will be able to keep it standing? Xianonan is clearly the most intriguing contender at present and can at least match the champion on the feet. If she can stop Zhang from ground-and-pounding her like she just did against Lemos, this could also be a very exciting affair.

Ian Garry vs. Stephen Thompson

Garry was ranked No. 13 and just demolished No. 11 Magny. Having him face No. 7 Thompson would be a logical progression as well as a terrific fight. How will Garry's phenomenal kickboxing fare against Thompson's legendary karate-based striking? Will the 40 year-old “Wonderboy” score one last amazing win against the 25 year-old, who has never been defeated? This could be a sensational striking showdown and a possible passing of the torch to Garry. If, on the other hand, Thompson wins, Garry is young enough that it won't harm his overall career, while possibly propelling Thompson into one last title short or elite contenders' match.

Petr Yan vs. Marlon Vera

Vera might have won, but most had him losing against Munhoz. Regardless, No. 6 Vera facing No. 5 Yan would make good sense, and also make for yet another sensational striking battle. Both men employ a seek-and-destroy style, being perfectly willing to go toe-to-toe. Better yet, each possesses knockout power in a number of limbs on top of titanium chins. This will be a pure delight for the fans as well as propelling the winner back into serious title contendership.