Matches to Make After UFC Denver

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Denver with a women’s flyweight main event. Former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas picked up her biggest win at 125 pounds by outpointing Tracy Cortez in the main event. The main card also featured some key fights from 170 pounds and below that will impact the lower weight classes going forward.

Here are five matches to make following UFC on ESPN 59.

Rose Namajunas vs. Maycee Barber

Namajunas (13-6) now has two straight wins at flyweight. “Thug” was able to sit down Cortez (11-2) with well-timed punches and showed that her power carries to the higher weight class. A fan-favorite that can headline events, "Thug" is never far from a title shot. A fight against Maycee Barber, who has racked up six straight wins, would be a great number one contender fight. Both women are well-rounded, ensuring that it’d be a quality contest no matter where it goes.

Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlston Harris

The co-main event was a back-and-forth clash between Salikhov and Santiago Ponzinibbio. After 15 minutes, the judges preferred the work of Salikhov (20-5), who took home a split decision win. At 40 and 2-2 in his last four fights, the “King of Kung Fu” isn’t a contender, but he can have enjoyable fights with other veterans. A bout against the 37-year-old Harris would make sense as the veteran is coming off a defeat to Kalinn Williams. While neither is in their prime, it’d be a competitive fight that would fit well on any Fight Night card.

Related » UFC Denver Round-by-Round Scoring

Jean Silva vs. Dan Ige

Silva pieced up Drew Dober on the feet en route to a doctor's stoppage win after the American suffered a nasty cut on his eyebrow. There are plenty of exciting fights to be made, although it will depend on whether or not Silva (14-2) wants to stay at lightweight or go back down to featherweight. If the Brazilian can make weight, his future looks brighter at 145 and a fight against Ige would be a striker’s delight. Both men hit hard and like to put on a show, so it’d be a fun scrap whether it goes to a decision or finishes quickly.

Gabriel Bonfim vs. Jake Matthews

Bonfim went to a decision for the first time but had no trouble outstriking Ange Loosa. Bonfim (16-1) is now 3-1 inside the promotion and has a lot of upside at 26. A fight against the more experienced Matthews would be a solid step up. "The Celtic Kid" is 20-7 and recently defeated Phil Rowe by decision. It'd be a good test for two under-30 fighters that are looking to rise up the ranks.

Julian Erosa vs. Andre Fili

Erosa has now won two straight fights via guillotine choke. The dangerous featherweight forced Christian Rodriguez to tap late in the first round with a tight grip. Erosa (30-11) is an action fighter and a fight against another fan-favorite in Fili would lead to fireworks. Both men are veterans of the division and Fili (23-11) is coming off a win over Cub Swanson. It’s a fun matchup with fight of the night potential.