Matches to Make After UFC on ESPN 55

UFC 301 is a week away but the next Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title contender may have already presented himself.

No. 8 contender Alex Perez busted his way into the title picture with a dynamite second-round knockout over Matheus Nicolau in the UFC on ESPN 55 main event Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Perez (25-8) entered on a three-fight losing streak against the top talent in the division but proved he’s more than an afterthought with the highlight-reel finish. Nicolau (19-4-1) entered as the No. 5 contender coming off a stoppage loss to Brandon Royval and will slip further down the rankings after suffering his second-straight knockout.

With Perez back on track, the opportunities at the top of the division are exciting. Flyweight has multiple title challengers and the championship picture just got more confusing with Perez’s upset win. What’s next for him and the rest of Saturday’s winners? Here are the matches to make following UFC on ESPN 55.

Alex Perez vs. Brandon Moreno

There’s a bit of a logjam at the top of the flyweight division and Perez’s win makes things more confusing. Next Saturday’s title fight against reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg is the most important fight in the division and will obviously affect Perez’s future. Pantoja cleared out the field and already has a win over Perez. If he were to lose his belt an immediate rematch would likely be on the table. Amir Albazi (17-1) is the next-best contender and Perez’s knockout won’t be enough to jump him in the rankings. Perez needs a big-name contender to give him more credibility than just his ranking. That’s where Moreno comes in. Despite losing his last two fights, the former champion is still arguably the face of the division. Perez and Moreno would produce fireworks on the feet and a win would give Perez the momentum he needs to secure a shot at the belt.

Bogdan Guskov vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Guskov has stormed into the Top 15 after just three short fights. Nobody knew how he’d fair against a physical juggernaut like Ryan Spann, but Guskov’s second-round TKO was eye-opening. With Guskov settling in right outside the Top 10, his next matchup should prove him worthy of his swift ascension. Rakic (14-4) is one of the top light heavyweights in the world, but his losses to Volkan Oezdemir, Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka have eliminated him from the title picture. Rakic’s name still rings throughout the division but he hasn’t won a fight since 2021. Guskov should be licking his chops for that fight.

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Karine Silva vs Tracy Cortez

After finishing her last seven opponents, Silva was disappointed she couldn’t stop Ariane Lipski but is confident that she’s ready to break into the Top 10. Silva landed five takedowns and controlled most of the fight like a seasoned pro. One decision win doesn’t change her reputation of being a killer in the cage. Silva has nine knockouts and eight submissions on her ledger and it would be wise to avoid her. It would be hard to see No. 11 ranked Cortez welcome that risky of a fight, but the matchup would be a treat. Cortez is one of the most popular fighters in the division and showed a lot of growth in her win over Jasmine Jasudavicus. Cortez is nowhere near the finisher Silva is, but she can adapt to any style in front of her. This could be a bigger matchup down the line but why wait?

Jhonata Diniz vs. Don'Tale Mayes

Diniz stunned viewers with his fight-ending power after coldcocking Austen Lane in the second round. Diniz (7-0) kept his undefeated record intact with a left hook that put Lane out flat on his face. But despite the knockout, Diniz should not be thrilled with his performance. He was utterly dominated on the mat throughout the first round before Lane’s fatigue provided an opening. Heavyweights aren’t known for their gas mileage, but the good ones know how to finish in full mount. Diniz needs to polish his game and stay active against another sturdy heavyweight. Mayes (11-6, 1 NC) won his prelim fight against Caio Machado by unanimous decision and is known to scrap. A three-rounder between these two would be full of ebb and flow.

David Onama vs. Bill Algeo

Onama is a rising star in one of the UFC’s toughest divisions. His speed could give a lot of fighters trouble and he proved he can wrestle ugly in his close win over Jonathan Pearce. After winning four out of his last five fights, Onama (13-2) is ready for tougher competition but it’s still too soon to throw him in against a ranked fighter. Alego (18-8) is the type of fighter to test his mettle. Algeo isn’t a world-beater, but the 34-year-old is a five-year UFC veteran. Algeo will mix it up and keep you guessing for three rounds. He’s a good fighter but recent losses to Andre Fili and Kyle Nelson have slowed his momentum. Does he have enough in the tank to outwork the promising prospect or will Onama put himself in striking distance of the Top 15 with another impressive win?

Uros Medic vs. Themba Gorimbo vs Ramiz Brahimaj winner

When Medic enters the Octagon he goes out on his shield. The 31-year-old Alaskan has never gone the distance and he extended the streak Saturday by knocking out Tim Means in the first round. After starting his career at lightweight, Medic is 2-1 in his first three fights at welterweight and it’s proved to be a tough transition. Medic was trailing against Matthew Semelsberger before rallying to the third-round TKO. Then Myktybek Orolbai ragdolled him in his UFC debut. Beating a 40-year-old Means doesn’t immediately open doors, but Medic (10-2) proved to be a fun dance partner and deserves to be matched with another rising welterweight with heavy hands. Gorimbo (12-4) will have his hands full next month against submission specialist Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC Fight Night 241 on May 18. Brahimaj’s submission game would be an issue for Medic, but the matchup could propel either fighter up the rankings. Gorimbo would stylistically fit better with Medic, but he also hunts for finishes and it would be hard to see their fight reaching the final bell.