What fights do you want to see in the UFC welterweight division?
Over the last six months, the UFC welterweight division has turned into one of the most intriguing, exciting divisions in the UFC as a host of rising contenders look to position themselves for a shot at the gold, while a trio of former champions look to bounce back to the belt.
One big key fight at the top end of the welterweight division has already been booked, with former undisputed champion Kamaru Usman making his return to action against hard-hitting Joaquin Buckley. They’ll do battle in the main event of UFC Atlanta on June 14.
We also know that all signs are pointing to newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena facing former undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is expected to make his move up to welterweight official later this summer with a bout between the pair likely for sometime in the fall.
That means the division’s other contenders are going to have to face off in the coming months, and the experts who deliver UFC tips from FIRST.com have fantasy-booked three key bouts that should help give more clarity to a crowded championship picture at 170 pounds.
UFC Welterweight Division Matches To Make
Sean Brady vs. Ian Machado Garry
Sean Brady is the man in the catbird seat heading into the summer. He’s currently ranked No. 1 in the welterweight division, and his last outing saw him produce a dominant performance to submit former champion Leon Edwards at UFC London in March.
That performance put the rest of the division on notice, as he eclipsed Belal Muhammad’s title-winning victory over Edwards with an emphatic display of grappling excellence to dominate, then finish “Rocky” and earn the top spot in the welterweight rankings.
With Kazakh contender Shavkat Rakhmonov still out of action through injury, the next best matchup for Brady to maintain that top spot is a bout with Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry.
Machado Garry pushed Rakhmonov to the limit in a losing effort last year in a bout that saw his stock rise, despite his defeat. Since then, “The Future” defeated surging “Fighting Nerds” contender Carlos Prates to maintain his spot at No. 6 in the rankings.
A meeting between Brady and Machado Garry will likely serve up a tight, tactical battle, with Brady looking to close the distance and deploy his grappling, while Machado Garry looks to stay on the perimeter and pot-shot the Philadelphia native on his way in. Whoever wins should find themselves at the front of the welterweight queue.
Leon Edwards vs. Michael Morales
After his lopsided defeat to Brady in London, Leon Edwards needs a big win against dangerous opposition to regain his foothold in the welterweight top five. Right now he’s sitting at No. 4, but another defeat will likely see him drop out of that bracket.
Someone who wants to gatecrash that elite group is Michael Morales, who announced his intentions with a brilliant dismantling of Gilbert Burns earlier this month. The Ecuadorian is unbeaten in 18 fights, and looks a real handful on the feet.
Edwards has shown that he has the striking smarts, and the accuracy, to give the best in the world big problems. But against Morales, he’ll face a taller, rangier contender who throws punches in bunches and fights at a high pace. It’s the antithesis of Edwards’ more considered, economical striking approach, and may force the Englishman to break out of his usual cadence and get into the trenches.
It should deliver a fascinating clash of striking styles, and put the winner one win away from a shot at the belt.
Belal Muhammad vs. the winner of Kamaru Usman-Joaquin Buckley
After losing his title after a grueling back-and-forth war with Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Belal Muhammad needs some time off to rest and recuperate, but you can bet he’ll be ready to get back in there later this summer or early in the autumn. The best option for him would probably be to face the winner of the June 14 matchup between Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley.
If Usman gets past Buckley, it would see him face off with Muhammad and bring their away-from-the-cage rivalry into the Octagon. If it’s Buckley, it’ll see Muhammad face one of the division’s most powerful strikers, who at that point would be riding a seven-fight win streak.
