Matches to Make After UFC Vegas 98

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to the UFC Apex with 12 fights. Naturally, the UFC Vegas 98 main event between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira will be most discussed, as it directly impacts the flyweight title picture going forward. However, there were a number of intriguing bouts across several divisions that will leave a mark going forward.

Here are five matches to make following UFC Fight Night 244.

Brandon Royval vs. Moreno-Albazi Winner

Royval (17-7) and Taira (16-1) put on a wild fight with both men showing a lot of heart. Ultimately, it was “Raw Dawg” that came out on top as he was able to tire the Japanese fighter and hand him his first career defeat via split decision. A recent loss to Alexandre Pantoja means Royval has work to do to get to a title rematch, but a recent win over former champion Brandon Moreno puts him in a good spot. Royval should go up against the winner of Moreno and Amir Albazi next month. Albazi would be ideal, as it’s a fresh fight and a potential No. 1 contender bout, although a Moreno rematch would also have interest as it was a close, split decision nod. Either way, it’d be an excellent UFC Fight Night main event that would catapult the winner to a title fight.

Jun Yong Park vs. Ikram Aliskerov

The co-main event saw Park outwork Brad Tavares and earn a split decision nod. Park (18-6) has now won five of his last six fights and has sneakily become a consistent threat. While "The Iron Turtle" isn't ready for the division's elite, I'd like to see him go up against Aliskerov. The Russian recently found out that there are levels to mixed martial arts after being steamrolled by Robert Whittaker. Aliskerov (15-2) has only lost to the elite, though, and remains an interesting fighter to watch. A fight against Park would show how much upside he ultimately has.

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Chidi Njokuani vs. Themba Gorimbo

Following a three-fight losing streak, Njokuani has now picked up back-to-back wins. "Bang Bang" was dominant over Jared Gooden, cruising to a clear decision win. Ready for a bigger test, I'd like to see Njokuani (24-10, 1 NC) go up against Gorimbo next. “The Answer” was victorious against Niko Price on the prelims, putting together his fourth straight win. If Njokuani can stuff takedown attempts from Gorimbo (14-4), it’d be an interesting striking battle to watch unfold.

Grant Dawson vs. Dan Hooker

Dawson picked up a violent win over Rafa Garcia after delivering some brutal elbows on the ground. “KGB” has now won two straight fights since being knocked out by Bobby Green and has only two losses as a pro. Dawson (22-2-1) is entering his prime at 30 and deserves a fight against a contender like Hooker, who holds a 24-12 record. “The Hangman” has won three in a row, including decisions over Mateusz Gamrot and Jalin Turner. Both lightweights have momentum and could use each other to show off improvements in their game with the winner being in a great spot for a big fight next time out.

Daniel Rodriguez vs. Jake Matthews

Rodriguez desperately needed a win, and he picked up a hard-fought split-decision victory over Alex Morono. At 37, "D-Rod" won't be a contender, but he always puts on a fun fight. I’d like to see Rodriguez (18-5) go up against Australia’s Matthews next. Matthews (20-7) is another action fighter that has picked up Fight of the Night awards but often falters when trying to take the next step. “The Celtic Kid” is a kid no more after a decade inside the Octagon and this would be a solid test for both men.