Matches to Make After UFC Fight Night 225

UFC Fight Night 225 was the first promotional event in Singapore since 2019, with a surprisingly strong selection of important contender fights. Starting at 5 a.m. ET in the U.S., the 13-fight card ended over 6 hours later, with North American fans hopefully catching either the main event or main card, depending on timezone. In the headliner, one of the greatest featherweights ever in Max Holloway faced long-time top contender and fan favorite Chang Sung Jung, better known as “The Korean Zombie.”

Holloway came into the fight having won three of his last four, with the lone blemish being a decision loss in a third meeting with featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski. Besides that, he had delivered a brutal 25-minute beatdown against top contender Calvin Kattar, outpointed future interim champion and recent title challenger Yair Rodriguez and then defeated Arnold Allen, snapping the British fighter's incredible 10-fight winning streak in the UFC. Jung's fortunes were more mixed, and the 36 year-old talked about possibly retiring after this fight. He had lost two of his last three, being demolished by Volkanovski before being stopped early in the fourth and dominated for 25 minutes by Brian Ortega, with only a decision against Dan Ige among his triumphs.

Regardless, this was an exciting affair, with both men going toe-to-toe with big strikes. Several times Jung hurt Holloway, but the Hawaiian would always recover and more than make up for it with his own offense, badly stunning The Korean Zombie in the first and nearly finishing him in the second. Going for broke, Jung begun Round 3 throwing huge bombs, several of which connected and forced Holloway back. However, the risky strategy proved to be his undoing, as the ex-champion countered him with a monster overhand right, leaving Jung splayed out unconscious on the canvas 23 seconds into the third stanza.

In the co-main, two dynamic strikers in the light heavyweight division threw heavy leather for 15 minutes when Anthony Smith met Ryan Spann. Spann nearly knocked Smith out in the second round, but “Lionheart” survived, taking a controversial split decision, with the majority of observers disagreeing.

In another main card contest, Giga Chikadze fought Alex Caceres in a battle of two exciting featherweight strikers. It was competitive in the opening frame, but after that, the world-class Georgian kickboxer took over, taking the easy unanimous decision. Lastly, two top female flyweights collided when 24 year-old sensation Erin Blanchfield, who was 5-0 in the UFC, faced former title challenger Taila Santos, whose last outing was for the championship against Valentina Shevchenko, losing by a razor-thin split decision. Blanchfield was significantly challenged for the first time in her UFC tenure, losing the first round, but coming back strong in the next two to take the deserved judges' verdict 29-28 across the board.

After one of the UFC's better cards of 2023, here are several excellent fights that can be booked;

Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje

Holloway recorded another impressive victory in a legendary career, but it brings him no closer to another title shot against Volkanovski, against whom he is 0-3. The smartest option is likely to move up to lightweight, doubly so considering how much weight Holloway cuts. And given that the Hawaiian fought for an interim lightweight championship against Dustin Poirier, why not see how he does at that weight in a blockbuster showdown against another legendary striker in Gaethje? A victory may get Holloway a crack at the lightweight crown, but regardless of which fighter prevails, the fans would be the ultimate winners.

Anthony Smith vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Smith may have survived Round 2 and won a questionable decision against Spann, snapping a two fight losing streak, but at 35, the No. 8 ranked light heavyweight’s days of being a serious contender are over. That doesn't, however, mean he can't be involved in more wonderfully exciting fights. And one very intriguing showdown is against electrifying striker Rountree Jr., currently ranked No. 11. Rountree has long been a tremendous talent but his performances in the cage run hot and cold. He seems to have finally figured it out, current riding a 4-fight winning streak against strong opposition, including three outstanding knockouts. It would be great to see him against Smith, as both men are willing to throw caution to the wind while delivering hellacious strikes. There is not only a high likelihood of a spectacular finish, but of this being a fight of the night on any card it appears, and possibly even a fight of the year contender.

Giga Chikadze vs. Josh Emmett

It's unlikely that at 35 years old Chikadze will ever be an elite contender, but an important test for the current No. 9 ranked featherweight would be facing No. 6 ranked 38 year-old Josh Emmett. Even for a world-class kickboxer, Emmett presents a striking danger, particularly with his monstrous overhand right. And he is a good wrestler too, an obvious arena of battle Chikadze wants to avoid. It will be an exciting and dynamic contest, as Emmett is willing to go toe-to-toe in the striking, giving and receiving heavy blows, and is active on top when he gets the takedown. Furthermore, it will be an important test for Chikadze to see if he can make a run at the title.

Erin Blanchfield vs. Winner of Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso

There are a few strong contenders in the flyweight division, but the 24 year-old Blanchfield just separated herself as the best with her win over fellow elite contender Santos. I would rather see her get a title shot more than the winner of the Manon Fiorot-Rose Namajunas duel a week from now. And regardless of which champion Blanchfield faces, I think we have a terrific title fight. Blanchfield showed improved striking against Santos and would likely hang tough against Shevchenko in either striking or grappling. Against Grasso, she would have a striking disadvantage but a grappling advantage, though both women would be able to hold their own wherever the fight goes. It would be a dynamic fight with a chance for a finish by both of them. The match would be a worthy co-main on a pay-per-view card.