UFC 306 saw the crowning of two new champions: Merab Dvalishvili made good on his first title shot, while Valentina Shevchenko re-ascended the flyweight throne.
Dvalishvili largely got the better of bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who was looking to make his second title defense. Shevchenko defeated Alexa Grasso to push the trilogy to 1-1-1.
UFC title pictures have often been unpredictable lately, but both Dvalishvili and Shevchenko appear to have their next opponents locked in. Let’s analyze what is likely next for the new champions.
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Dvalishvili put on a more dominant showing against O’Malley than two judges’ scorecards indicated in his 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 win over the former champion. An immediate rematch is likely not on the horizon, either, as Nurmagomedov installed himself as the rightful title contender after his win over Cory Sandhagen in a title eliminator. Nurmagomedov is currently ranked No. 2 at bantamweight, and though the rankings haven’t been updated since Dvalishvili’s win over O’Malley, “Sugar” will likely remain No. 1.
Dvalishvili, speaking with reporters after UFC 306, has called for a fight with No. 5, however: former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo would be a worthy contender, having beaten Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt and Marlon Vera since his move up to bantamweight. “The Machine” said he’d like to see Nurmagomedov fight former champ Petr Yan next. Yan has called for a rematch with O’Malley after coming up on the short end of a controversial split decision. So, bantamweight has some things to sort out.
Nurmagomedov will likely get the next shot – he’s Dagestani and delights a market the UFC has increasingly (and successfully) been attempting to capture. He has a win over the No. 4-ranked bantamweight in Sandhagen.
One can see Dvalishvili’s frustration, however: Sandhagen is the only top-15 bantamweight that Nurmagomedov has defeated, whereas Dvalishvili had to go through a murderer’s row of ranked bantamweights and former champions to get his title shot. Valid. But a part of that was also Aljamain Sterling, Dvalishvili’s best friend and training partner, had held the belt and made a few title defenses before O’Malley defeated him.
Nurmagomedov has ascended at the right time. And most importantly, Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov is the fight most fans want to see. In the end, that may be all it takes.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot
Let’s start with the fact the trilogy between Shevchenko and Grasso is 1-1-1. Grasso getting a rematch would normally be within the realm of possibility. Unlike Shevchenko, though, Grasso did not have the benefit of a long title reign before her loss, and “Bullet” won on the judges’ scorecards 50-45 x3 after the pair drew in the rematch. Grasso did good work off her back, coming close to submitting Shevchenko for the second time. But Shevchenko escaped each time and won the fight on top control.
Shevchenko told ESPN’s Megan Olivi that Manon Fiorot, 7-0 in the UFC, has been waiting in line “for a long time already” and people may not want to see the quadrilogy with Grasso.
The Frenchwoman has wins over Erin Blanchfield, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, and former flyweight title challengers Katlyn Cerminara and Jennifer Maia. Fiorot has assembled a strong resume at 125 pounds by beating a who’s who of talented flyweights, and having already defeated Blanchfield in what many considered a title eliminator, should not have to fight again before her crack at gold. Whether Shevchenko or Grasso had won, Fiorot fighting the winner seemed like a foregone conclusion. Shevchenko’s unanimous win made the decision easier.
That said, Grasso should absolutely be one win away from another title shot given her win and draw with Shevchenko. If Grasso were to beat Blanchfield or Maycee Barber in a rematch, then another crack at gold is her’s to claim.
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