UFC 326 – Fights to Make After a Lacklustre Night in Vegas

UFC 326 is now one for the books, and aside from a lacklustre main event, the card overall grabbed headlines. Those headlines were certainly bolstered by the announcement of a six-fight main card for the White House.

We provide you with our UFC 326 fights to make for the 10 men who featured on the main card.

UFC 326 – Fights to Make After an Interesting Night in Vegas

Gregory Rodrigues vs Anthony Hernandez

Robocop extended his run to 6-1 in his last seven with a first-round, brutal, knockout over Brunno Ferreira. It’s time for Rodrigues to get a shot at someone in the top 10 and a fight against Anthony Hernandez could provide fireworks. The Brazilian is a BJJ wizard; however, we haven’t seen it in the UFC to date, and with Fluffy preferring life on the ground, it could make an interesting match-up.

Brunno Ferreira vs Edmen Shahbazyan

Ferreira’s loss at UFC 326 saw his winning run snapped at three. He’ll likely have to fight someone outside of the top 15 in his next outing. Edmen Shahbazyan has been ranked in the past, but five losses in seven fights saw him plummet from the rankings. Golden Boy is 3-0 in his last three fights, with two finishes. This one makes sense.

Drew Dober vs Jalin Turner

Drew Dober provided us with yet another devastating knockout, this time against Michael Johnson. Dober has now put back-to-back wins together for the first time since 2022. He’s not set for a top 15 opportunity yet, but a fight against a fellow fringe rankings guy should be booked. Jalin Turner looked dangerous on his return last time out, and this one would have fans salivating at the potential violence.

Michael Johnson vs Edson Barboza 2

Michael Johnson’s three-fight winning run was snapped at the fists of Drew Dober at UFC 326. After his second straight fight where betting controversy has been rife, the UFC need to investigate what’s going on. With that being said, a rematch with Edson Barboza makes sense. In 2015, the two men went three rounds, with Johnson walking away with the victory. It feels like it makes sense again. Two men in the twilight of their careers, but two men who always come to fight. Book it.

Raul Rosas Jr vs Jakub Wiklacz

Raul Rosas Jr enters the bantamweight rankings at #13, and due to his lacklustre performance at UFC 326, he’ll struggle to get anyone ranked. He was dominant, but landed double the number of takedowns in comparison to significant strikes – not particularly entertaining. Jakub Wiklacz is the perfect next opponent. Wiklacz is on the brink of a rankings spot, has tonnes of experience outside of the UFC and is 2-0 with the promotion. He’s dangerous on the ground, where Rosas Jr thrives, which could provide an interesting stylistic match-up.

Rob Font vs Anyone the UFC Want to Push

Rob Font has now cemented himself as a gatekeeper to the top 15. Unfortunately for the New England Cartel man, he’s dropped out of the top 15. At 38 years old, he’s got little left in the tank, losing his last two straight. Anyone that the UFC want to push will get a match-up with Font to help them build.

Caio Borralho vs Dricus du Plessis

Caio Borralho got back to winning ways at UFC 326 with a fairly one-sided performance against Reinier de Ridder. He took to the mic in a fantastic way and called out former champion Dricus du Plessis. The South African is still ranked #1 at 185 lbs, and after his win in Vegas, Borralho moved up to #5. DDP needs to rebound from a dominant loss to the champion, and Borralho makes sense.

Reinier de Ridder vs Jared Cannonier

RDR’s UFC 326 outing exposed his striking yet again as very rudimentary. He was caught too frequently and backed up in straight lines, leading to an easy night for Borralho. He’ll have to fight down the division, and yet, not a lot of fights make sense. It’ll likely be Jared Cannonier, and it won’t be particularly exciting or meaningful.

Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan 2

It’s the only fight that makes sense. After the champion, Ilia Topuria, has been confirmed for UFC Freedom Fights 250, it leaves two men on the sidelines looking in – Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. This fight makes all the sense in the world as a title eliminator. Yes, the two met over three rounds at UFC 300; however, over five rounds, everything changes. Book this one over five rounds with the winner guaranteed to face Topuria next (and don’t have the BMF on the line).

Max Holloway vs Paddy Pimblett

Max Holloway was truly dominated at UFC 326 in arguably the most dominant fashion we’ve ever seen anyone against the Hawaiian. The fight wasn’t competitive in the slightest, despite being billed as a 50/50 battle. Blessed is still a megastar and needs to be treated as such. A main event against Paddy Pimblett makes a lot of sense. Pimblett came up drastically short in his interim title opportunity last time out against Justin Gaethje, and it’s safe to say no one is convinced of his top-five ability. Does Max Holloway still have it in him at 34 after 36 professional fights and coming off a one-sided loss? Is Paddy Pimblett actually top-five ability? Book this one and find out.