UFC 237: Namajunas vs. Andrade: Matches to make for winners

Here are the fights that UFC matchmakers, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby should put together in the future for the UFC 237 main card winners.

UFC 237 is in the books and it certainly provided some memorable moments. The UFC traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the fans were treated to seeing one of their own bring home UFC gold. Jessica Andrade stunned Rose Namajunas in the second round of the main event, knocking her out with a “Rampage” style slam. It was a card that also saw Anderson Silva suffer an unfortunate leg injury and Alexander Volkanovski separate himself from the rest of the contenders at featherweight. It was a card that we’ll be talking about for some time to come, but fans and media have already started to speculate about the potential fights in the future. While tonight’s winners are still taking the moment in and dealing with the emotions of fight night, we’ll take a look into their future and determine the best matches to make for the winners of UFC 237.

Here are the fights the UFC 237 winners should be booked in next.

Jessica Andrade

Next Opponent: Winner of Tatiana Suarez vs. Nina Ansaroff

Jessica Andrade defeated Rose Namajunas in stunning fashion at UFC 237 to win the UFC woman’s strawweight championship. After failing to win the title in first attempt against Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Andrade made good on her second chance and took home gold. Andrade was getting picked apart a bit by Namajunas early, but found her footing in the middle of the second round and got the finish.

In her first title defense Andrade will likely have to defend the belt against a first time challenger. Jedrzejczyk has lost three of her last four fights, Namajunas suffered a knockout loss and only defended her belt once in a rematch. The next challenger will be someone who has yet to challenge for gold in the UFC and both Tatiana Suarez and Nina Ansaroff have a real claim to that bout if they can win their next one out.

Suarez has been a dominant force in the strawweight division and many pundits believe she will on day become champ and hold on to that title for awhile. Her size and strength in the strawweight division is a problem for anyone to deal with and to this point has been unmatched. She is undefeated seven fights into her MMA career and despite not being very active throughout her UFC tenure, Suarez has shown great improvement every chance we have gotten to see her. She already owns a victory over a former champ in Carla Esparza and a win against a top five opponent her next time out puts her at the top of the line.

Ansaroff’s trajectory as a fighter has been much different than that of Suarez. The American Top Team product holds a record of 10-5 in her career, but over her last four fights has looked completely different. Ansaroff was 6-5 at one point and on a two fight losing streak potentially on the chopping block. She’s since managed to beat the likes of Angela Hill, Randa Markos and a former title challenger in Claudia Gadelha. It’s been a complete career turn around for Ansaroff since 2017 and she now finds herself in the top 5 of the strawweight division fighting in what can only be seen as a title eliminator bout.

The matchup between Suarez and Ansaroff is the most important fight in the career of either to this point. With no clear cut challengers standing out in at the top of the division and having already seen the likes of Namajunas and Jedrzejczyk fight Andrade it is evident that this has become a bout to determine the clear cut number one contender for Andrade’s newly won strawweight crown.

Jared Cannonier

Next Opponent: Derek Brunson

Jared Cannonier defeated Anderson Silva at UFC 237 via TKO in the very first round. An unfortunate ending to the fight as Silva suffered a leg injury after a well placed kick, but nonetheless it’s a win over Silva for Cannonier who continues to work his way up the ranks in the middleweight division. Cannonier came into this fight ranked 10th in the division and a win over Silva only helps him climb the ladder.

9th ranked middleweight, Derek Brunson earned a victory at UFC Ottawa this past weekend and with Cannonier not taking much damage at all it is definitely safe to assume these two fighters could meet in the near future. Both fighters have had their ups and downs in recent years, but one big win for either and they’re looking up at the top 5 in the middleweight division. With both coming off of wins and both coming out of their fights healthy it’s the perfect time to make the fight. Both guys bring a similar style and with Cannonier and Brunson sharing the same cage there’s almost no chance the fight disappoints. Much of the middleweight division is booked and with a log jam at the top this is the fight that needs to happen next.

Alexander Volkanovski

Next Opponent: Max Holloway

Alexander Volkanovski defeated Brazilian MMA legend and former featherweight king Jose Aldo by unanimous decision at UFC 237. Volkanovski has made a name for himself over the last year and his victory Saturday is by far the biggest of his career. Volkanovski went to work with leg kicks on Aldo early on and kept that pace and pressure going for 15 minutes. Volkanovski seemed to have the perfect game plan to shut down Aldo as he had all sorts of trouble dealing with the constant pressure and now Volkanovski might have the best case for a shot at Max Holloway in the division.

After going up in weight and suffering a loss at the hands of Dustin Poirier, Holloway will be going back to featherweight to defend his belt. The last time we saw Holloway at featherweight he dominated Brian Ortega. Ortega earned his shot by defeating Frankie Edgar who was set to fight Holloway, but put his shot on the line when Holloway was forced out of their fight.

Edgar is probably the only fighter in division other than Volkanovski that has an argument for being given a title shot right now. Volkanovski and Edgar have a  couple of common opponents, but one stands out. Volkanovski has yet to lose in his UFC career and has earned a victory over a legend in Aldo something Edgar failed to do twice.  Volkanovski shut Aldo out and won convincingly, while Edgar lost to Aldo twice and is 1-1 in his last two fights and 3-2 in his last five.

Edgar is a legend in this sport, but at this point in time it’s time for the rising star to get the shot he deserves. Volkanovski has been more active than Edgar as he has fought and won three times since the last time we saw Edgar. He’s beaten some of the best the division has to offer and in a sport where the top contenders haven’t always been rightfully granted their shot at the belt, Volkanovski should not have to suffer that same fate. On paper there is no shot Volkanovski vs. Holloway isn’t an action packed thriller and even though Edgar has a good case, Volkanovski’s the one who should be fighting for featherweight gold next.

Laureano Staropoli

Next Opponent: Warley Alves

Laureano Staropoli earned the biggest victory of his career on Saturday night when he defeated former UFC title challenger Thiago Alves by unanimous decision.It was an entertaining and promising showing for Staropoli. Alves had his moments and there were plenty of back and forth exchanges, but Staropoli landed heavier and more often for majority of the three rounds. That now makes it seven straight wins for Staropoli who said in his post fight interview that he’d like his next fight to be in Uruguay.

Staropoli made it known that he wants to represent South American MMA and if he is looking to perform for his native fans he won’t have to look too far for an opponent. Earlier in the night a native Brazilian and UFC veteran in Warley Alves earned himself an impressive knockout victory. Alves came into Saturday night having lose his previous bout and needing to get back in the win column. Alves is now 3-3 in his last six fights and will be an excellent matchup for the surging Staropoli in terms of both entertainment and competition. The two fighters now have schedules that line up being that they just fought on the same card and being they both train in Brazil a mutual location should be pretty easy to take care of. It’s hard to say whether or not Staropoli is going to be able to compete with the elite of the division, which is why a measuring stick fight to get more of a feel for where he is at makes sense. For Alves it’s an opportunity put together solid back to back wins and steal the thunder from Staropoli to propel himself up toward the top 15. For Staropoli another win over a tough veteran and an 8 fight win streak would prove he’s a legitimate contender in the welterweight division.

Irene Aldana

Next Opponent: Marion Reneau

Irene Aldana stepped into the cage as a favorite on Saturday night, but Bethe Correira made sure she got her money’s worth. After a hard fought victory, the 10th ranked Aldana is likely to move up a spot or two the next time the rankings come out, which will line her up perfectly for a matchup with Marion Reneau.

Aldana calmed the Brazilian crowd to open the pay-per view as she proved to be too much for the “pitbull.” Aldana showed off her improving striking and her finishing ability, but it was her toughness that stood out in this fight. Aldana ate some big shots, but never got off the course. Having already been ranked in the top 10  it only makes sense for Aldana to fight a name above her in the rankings and right now the one that makes the most sense is Reneau.

Reneau most recently stepped in the cage back in March, losing a tough fight to Yana Kunitskaya. Reneau lost the first two rounds of the fight as it took her some time to get her footing. The third round she turned the tide and took it to Kunitskaya. She put a relentless attack on trying to get the finish, but came up just short. She was another fighter who showed a lot of heart her last time out, but unfortunately for coming off of a loss she should not be fighting anyone ahead of her in the rankings.

Aldana and Reneau will very likely be right next to each other in the rankings. Reneau would have the opportunity to stay fighting within the top 10, meaning a win would put her right back in the mix. For Aldana it’s an opportunity to move the win streak to four and slide right into contention.

UFC 237 takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2019, live from the Rio Olympic Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your live results and highlights throughout the week.