UFC 322: Analysis and Next Steps for the Stars
The UFC 322 event could have marked the beginning of great matchups in 2026. The card offered a new welterweight champion, spectacular finishes, and the possibility of a new contender in the division. In the main event, Islam Makhachev, former lightweight champion, defeated Jack Della Maddalena to obtain the welterweight title. Previously, Michael Morales and Carlos Prates achieved impressive KO victories, positioning them as potential contenders for Makhachev’s belt. In addition, Valentina Shevchenko, women’s flyweight champion, achieved possibly the most important victory of her career, dominating Zhang Weili and obtaining a unanimous decision victory.Who should be the next rivals for these champions and contenders? Here we analyze the possible options for the stars of UFC 322.
Islam Makhachev, Welterweight Champion
Possible rival: Kamaru UsmanThere are at least five legitimate options for Makhachev’s first title defense, all promising. Although Khabib Nurmagomedov would prefer that Makhachev not fight for several more years, the rest of the sports world will likely disagree, as Makhachev has enough potential opponents to keep him busy until 2028, at the very least.
Usman is the number one option. Although he hasn’t been very active recently, he was the best pound-for-pound fighter in his prime. He proved his worth in a fight against Joaquin Buckley earlier this year, and Makhachev has expressed his desire to face him. He is the best option at welterweight, if a possible rise of Ilia Topuria is not considered. This fight does not deny the opportunity to another legitimate contender, and Usman has earned the opportunity through his career. Risky option: Topuria This fight is not ideal. Although big fights are usually defended, it is not appropriate for the former featherweight champion and current lightweight champion to move up two weight classes in two appearances. There are many fights for him at lightweight, and after seeing Makhachev compete so well at welterweight, it is not the most suitable matchup at this time. Topuria is smaller. Eventually we will see this superfight, but it is not the most convenient now.Valentina Shevchenko, Women’s Flyweight Champion
Possible opponent: Natalia Silva Another day at work for possibly the best female fighter of all time. Shevchenko has a tough battle for that distinction, considering she lost twice against Amanda Nunes, but if she continues to dominate in the coming years, she will have arguments. Silva is the next obvious challenger at 125 pounds. She has an active and complicated style in the stand-up game, which she seems to have perfected in her last performances. She will be the underdog, but everyone is in flyweight. Risky option: Kayla Harrison Depending on when Harrison fights Nunes, this could be next. Harrison wants it to take place at the White House. Will Shevchenko wait seven months for that, when there’s no guarantee? Will the UFC want her to do that? Many things can happen in seven months, including Harrison losing or getting injured, or not being able to make weight twice in a relatively short time. On the other hand, it could fit perfectly if Harrison wins and Shevchenko’s schedule aligns.Zhang Weili, Women’s Flyweight
Possible opponent: Alexa Grasso It’s likely that Zhang won’t return to strawweight. She doesn’t take the radical step of leaving the belt to fight again once. Moving up in weight and fighting Shevchenko directly in a new category was always going to be a challenge. There are reasons to believe that her next performance at flyweight would be much stronger, after learning a lot in her first fight and adapting to the weight. If she stays, Grasso, a former champion with solid boxing, makes sense. Risky option: Mackenzie Dern If Zhang returns to strawweight, nothing but a title fight would make sense. She and Dern have never fought. It’s not a bad option, considering it’s an automatic title opportunity, which doesn’t exist for Zhang now at flyweight. It may be a tempting decision, but I’d rather see her continue at flyweight.Carlos Prates, Welterweight
Possible rival: Michael Page Prates is the most entertaining man in the UFC right now. He has two spectacular knockouts in the last three months, over two high-ranking opponents (one of them, Leon Edwards, former champion). Prates will fight for a title at some point, and we’ll see if he can refine some of the deficiencies that cost him when he fought Ian Machado Garry in April. Either way, it’s a must-see. And so is Page. If Prates is the most entertaining fighter in the UFC, Page is on the list of names he competes with. I’d like to see Prates against Page after they fought on the same card in Chicago in August. I’m fascinated by how it would be between two wizards in distance control. Risky option: Michael MoralesThis makes a lot of sense based on what both fighters did in consecutive fights on the same night: Prates knocking out Edwards and Morales making quick work of Sean Brady. The obvious reason not to make the fight would be the risk of burning one by matching them up, but watching this fight could be worth it. The good news is that even if it doesn’t happen next, this matchup is almost a guarantee at some point.
Benoît Saint Denis, Lightweight
Possible rival: Rafael Fiziev Things are back on track for Saint Denis after quickly handling Beneil Dariush. The loss to Dustin Poirier seems like a long time ago. Saint Denis was always considered a tough opponent in lightweight, but now he has the experience and confidence to match his skills. A matchup with Fiziev seems obvious. Two of the most exciting lightweights, and they are grouped in that top 15 range. Risky option: Grant Dawson Dawson, like Saint Denis, was considered a future title contender before a high-profile upset loss to King Green four fights ago. And like Saint Denis, he’s back on the right track. He has a matchup with Manuel Torres on December 6th. If Dawson wins that one, it might be smart to call for a fight with Saint Denis, because the top of this division is somewhat tied up, with little room to break into the top 5. Dawson could get this matchup if he asks next month.Bo Nickal, Middleweight
Possible opponent: Christian Leroy Duncan After a spectacular finish over Rodolfo Vieira, how quickly does the UFC want to accelerate this Bo train? I assume they will choose to take it slow. This third-round knockout showed more than we already know about Nickal. He is capable of doing things that most fighters can’t, and if his potential manifests as many believe it can, he is championship material. That said, he still needs time, which is fine. Frankly, the sport probably didn’t realize how good Reinier de Ridder was when he and Nickal fought in May. De Ridder was too much for Nickal back then, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way. For now, the UFC should schedule Nickal against someone in the middle range of the division, someone like Duncan, who has a 6-2 record in the UFC and has an exciting style. And I hope it’s sooner rather than later. Maybe we could see Nickal in March 2026, and then again on the White House card in June. Risky option: Paulo Costa If the UFC wants to push Nickal back into the top 15, Costa is always a fun test. The preparation for that fight would be phenomenal.Erin Blanchfield, Women’s Flyweight
Possible opponent: Backup for Valentina Shevchenko vs. Natalia SilvaThis is difficult because, obviously, I don’t like the idea of Blanchfield taking an extended break in the middle of her prime. But on the other hand, she’s only 26 years old. She has plenty of time to participate in as many fights as she wants. There’s nothing out there that she needs to address right now. She’s a number 1 ranked contender. Let her train, focus on herself, and make weight as a substitute for this 125-pound title fight. She’s a fresh face when it comes to competing for a UFC title. I wouldn’t mind seeing her get another win, but it’s not necessary. Let her serve as a substitute and promote her as the next title challenger.
Risky option: Natalia SilvaThere is that world where Shevchenko waits in early 2026 and ends up fighting Kayla Harrison. And if that happens, one could imagine that the UFC would schedule Silva and Blanchfield in a number 1 contender matchup.
