Matches to make after UFC Vegas 117

[ASFN Admin]

The Ultimate Fighting Championship continued its busy May with its latest card from the Meta Apex. Main eventing UFC Vegas 117 was an exciting featherweight contender fight between Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa. The 13-fight card also featured key bouts that will impact the bantamweight and light heavyweight divisions going forward.

Here are the matches to make for the top five UFC Vegas 117 winners.

Arnold Allen vs. Lerone Murphy​

Allen (21-4) got back into the win column by showing Costa (27-7) that there are levels to mixed martial arts. With the win,"Almighty" is now 2-1 in his last three fights and there’s no denying he’s a contender despite recent losses to Jean Silva, Movsar Evloev and Max Holloway. I’d like to see the English fighter take on his fellow countryman next in Murphy. “The Iceman” came up short in a title eliminator to Movsar Evloev but had won nine straight UFC fights prior to the loss. Whoever emerges victorious will be in a great spot and just a few fights away from another opportunity to earn a 145-pound title shot.

Related » UFC Vegas 117 ‘Allen vs. Costa’ round-by-round scoring​

Doo Ho Choi vs. Sean Woodson​

"The Korean Superboy" extended his UFC win streak to three straight fights at the expense of Daniel Santos. Choi (17-4-1) showed off some vicious body punches en route to the TKO victory. At 35, there's no time to waste, so let's have the Korean knockout artist take on Woodson next. "The Sniper" is coming off a loss to Dan Ige but had put together four-straight wins prior to the setback. Woodson (13-2-1) is always dangerous and would be a great test to see if Choi can become a contender.

Juan Diaz vs. Rinya Nakamura​

The hype train behind Malcolm Wellmaker was further derailed by Diaz, who tapped the bantamweight with a tight rear-naked choke. It was an impressive UFC debut for Diaz (16-1-1), who is just 27."Pegajoso" has earned a fight against another skilled 135er, such as Japan’s Nakamura. "Hybrid" is 10-1 as a pro and has gone 4-1 since entering the UFC. A dangerous wrestler, Nakamura would test how well-rounded Diaz is and it’d be a great learning experience for both fighters.

Modestas Bukauskas vs. Dustin Jacoby​

It wasn't overly exciting, but Bukauskas turned away short-notice UFC newcomer Christian Edwards in a 215-pound catchweight fight. "The Baltic Gladiator" will be moving back to light heavyweight after the split decision victory, and he deserves another tough test as he’s won five of his last six fights. I'd like to see the 32-year-old take on another UFC vet in Jacoby next. "The Hanyak" has won three straight fights, with knockouts of Julius Walker, Bruno Lopes and Vitor Petrino being recently added to his resume. Jacoby (22-9-1) has the hard-hitting power to make Bukauskas have to really work for a victory, so let’s see who has more left in the tank.

Bernardo Sopai vs. Santiago Luna​

Sopai made easy work of Timothy Cuamba, who he battered with punches before locking in a rear-naked choke for the submission victory. Just 25, Sopai (13-3) is now 2-1 inside the Octagon after losing his promotional debut to Vinicius Oliveira. I'd like to see the Swedish fighter take on another young prospect next. Mexico's Luna fits the bill nicely. 8-0 as a pro, "Borderboy" is coming off UFC wins against Quang Le and Angel Pacheco. It'd be the biggest fight yet for the 21-year-old, and whoever emerges victorious would be cemented as one to watch at bantamweight.

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