What’s subsequent for UFC 239 fighters, together with Jones and Nunes?

UFC 239 on Saturday in Las Vegas witnessed the quickest knockout in firm historical past, the closest five-round battle of Jon Jones’ profession and yet one more dominant efficiency by Amanda Nunes.

What’s subsequent for Jones, Nunes, Holly Holm, Jorge Masvidal and others from UFC 239? Here is ESPN’s take.

Jon Jones, gentle heavyweight

Outcome: Defeated Thiago Santos by way of break up determination

Subsequent: Jan Blachowicz

Let’s be frank: Jon Jones vs. Jan Blachowicz might be not a battle you are clearing your schedule for. But when you concentrate on it, neither was Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos. All of us knew Santos was powerful and that he had a “puncher’s likelihood” going into Saturday, however no one pegged him as “the man” to beat Jon Jones. He was simply “the following man” in line.

And he practically pulled it off.

Jon Jones’ head kicks helped him earn a break up determination win over Thiago Santos at UFC 239. Christian Petersen/Getty Photographs

Level is, Santos’ close to victory at UFC 239 is a reminder that this sport can all the time shock you. Do I feel Blachowicz has a very good likelihood of beating Jones? I don’t. However he is subsequent in line, following a knockout win over Luke Rockhold. Younger up-and-comers like Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker want no less than another win. Blachowicz has received 5 of his previous six. He deserves it. The one hitch is that if Jones desires to maneuver to heavyweight to face the winner of Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic. However I count on him to remain at gentle heavyweight for now. And if that’s the case, Blachowicz is subsequent up.

Thiago Santos, gentle heavyweight

Outcome: Misplaced to Jon Jones by way of break up determination

Subsequent: Corey Anderson

Robust to name Santos’ subsequent battle till we all know the severity of an obvious knee damage he suffered. If he is in a position to go in an affordable period of time, Anderson is smart. Anderson hasn’t fought since December so, once more, if Santos is out for some time, this in all probability will not work. However on the similar time, Anderson has made it clear he would not need to battle simply to battle. He has received three in a row and has no real interest in preventing somebody ranked considerably decrease than him.

Despite the fact that I scored Saturday’s battle dwell for Santos, I did not suppose it was a theft and I am not wanting to see an instantaneous rematch between Jones and Santos. So, a battle between Santos and one other ranked contender, similar to Anderson, is the way in which to go.

Amanda Nunes, bantamweight

Outcome: Defeated Holly Holm by way of first-round knockout

Subsequent: Winner of Cris “Cyborg” Justino vs. Felicia Spencer on July 27

Saturday’s UFC Struggle Evening card in Sacramento, California, will function one among MMA’s high rising stars and a legend making a return. The unbeaten Aspen Ladd shall be in her first UFC principal occasion, going through Germaine de Randamie, with bantamweight title implications on the road. Previous to that, hometown hero Urijah Faber will enter the Octagon for the primary time in three years to face up-and-comer Ricky Simon.

UFC Struggle Evening: De Randamie vs. Ladd
• Saturday, Sacramento, California
• Prelims: ESPN+ 5 p.m. ET
• Important card: ESPN+ eight p.m. ET

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Look, that is the battle I need to see, as a result of it is clearly the perfect of any possibility on the market — however I am not holding my breath that we’ll truly see it. If Cyborg beats Spencer at UFC 240, which I predict she’ll do, I nonetheless suppose will probably be her final battle within the UFC. It is the ultimate bout on her contract, and although it is definitely doable she may re-sign with the UFC, I feel the connection has run its course.

It is a disgrace, as a result of a rematch between Nunes and Justino is a superb battle. From a aggressive standpoint, it ought to occur. However I feel Justino has sure plans and calls for for the following chapter of her profession and the UFC is keen to let her stroll. We will see, although.

Holly Holm, bantamweight

Outcome: Misplaced to Amanda Nunes by way of first-round knockout

Subsequent: Cat Zingano

Here is the excellent news: Holm remains to be a star. She’s nonetheless extremely ranked, even after this loss. This was solely the primary time she has been knocked out in MMA and she or he and her group have mentioned she has lots left within the tank at age 37. The dangerous information, in fact, is she has now misplaced 5 of her previous seven. And the ladies she beat — Megan Anderson and Bethe Correira — are at fairly low factors of their very own careers.

A lot of the identical might be mentioned about Zingano. She’s nonetheless a reputation. She’s nonetheless within the high 10. She additionally has received precisely one battle up to now 4 years. That is a kind of matchups that was in all probability all the time going to occur, it was only a matter of when. The when has come for Holly Holm vs. Cat Zingano.

Jorge Masvidal, welterweight

Outcome: Defeated Ben Askren by way of first-round knockout

Subsequent: Kamaru Usman … except …

2 Associated

Except Colby Covington beats Robbie Lawler at UFC Struggle Evening on Aug. three. Look, what Masvidal did to Askren was the stuff of legends. 5-second knockout — and now we’re seeing movies from his head coach, Mike Brown, of him training that very same flying knee within the days main as much as UFC 239. It was good, and I need to see Masvidal in a title battle.

However how lengthy can we deny Covington? He has received six in a row (one among which was an interim title battle) and he has a troublesome matchup arising subsequent month in opposition to Lawler. If Covington will get it accomplished in Newark, New Jersey, he deserves to be subsequent for Usman. And if that is the case, get Masvidal within the entrance row and promote him as the following man in line after.

Luke Rockhold, gentle heavyweight

Outcome: Misplaced to Jan Blachowicz by way of second-round knockout

Subsequent: Retirement

Man. I had a tough time with this one. It doesn’t really feel that way back that Rockhold was thought of among the finest pound-for-pound fighters on this planet. I imply, you return 4 fights … 4 fights! … this dude was the middleweight champion, driving a streak of 5 consecutive finishes over the likes of Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida and Michael Bisping.

However although that was solely 4 fights in the past, it was additionally 4 years in the past. And through that point, Rockhold has suffered a number of accidents. He has battered his greatest weapon, the left leg. Yoel Romero broke his jaw. Blachowicz might have damaged it once more this weekend. Rockhold is simply 34, however he has now misplaced three of his previous 4. He has been damage plagued. He is type of caught between divisions. UFC president Dana White inspired Rockhold to think about retirement on Saturday, and I feel I agree with him on this one.

Rockhold has parlayed his success in MMA into different alternatives. He would not should battle. Do I need to see him go to the again of the road at 205 and attempt to work his technique to a title shot — at this level in his profession? Probably not. He has had a incredible 12-year profession. If he desires to proceed, then he ought to. It isn’t like he is washed up. However I would even be very glad for Rockhold if he selected to maneuver on.