After UFC 206, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis picks which matchups should be made for the evening's headliners and biggest winners.
Max Holloway vs. Jose Aldo
It's no longer a question of if, but when Holloway will finally tangle with Aldo.
"Blessed" earned himself a date with the undisputed featherweight champ by capturing the interim strap with a third-round TKO of Anthony Pettis. Aldo is healthy and active, making a title unification bout with Holloway inevitable. The newly crowned interim champ has looked invincible in his 10-win run, while Aldo is still widely considered the greatest featherweight of all time, making their bout to be a clash between the old guard and the new.
Recap: Holloway stops Pettis in 3rd round, wins interim featherweight title
Anthony Pettis vs. Michael Johnson
Pettis' dalliance at featherweight is over.
"Showtime" missed weight prior to fighting Holloway, and announced he'd be returning to 155 pounds after being handed his first defeat by stoppage. Pettis has dropped four of five, but a track record chock full of reputable scalps should be enough to net him a fringe contender in his return to lightweight. Johnson - who was handed the beating of his life by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 205 - fits the bill, as does Dustin Poirier, who last faltered to Johnson by first-round knockout in September.
Donald Cerrone vs. Robbie Lawler
After a banner year in which he notched four finishes at welterweight, Cerrone is in for yet another barnburner.
"Cowboy" flattened Matt Brown with a third-round head kick Saturday to stay perfect in his new division, and while Jorge Masvidal is champing at the bit for a dance with him, the 33-year-old has a bigger name coming. Cerrone had been initially scheduled to face Lawler at UFC 205 last month, and with either Demian Maia or Stephen Thompson expected to challenge Tyron Woodley for the title next, Cowboy has a chance to enter the conversation with a win over the former champ.
Watch: Cerrone cleans Brown's clock with head kick
Cub Swanson vs. Frankie Edgar
Don't label Swanson a gatekeeper just yet.
The featherweight stalwart bested rising knockout artist Doo Ho Choi in an instant classic, extending his win streak to three and proving he still belongs in the divisional elite. As tantalizing a matchup with another intriguing prospect in Mirsad Bektic may be, Swanson's performance should earn him a rematch with either Edgar or fellow mainstay Ricardo Lamas.
Edgar took a decision over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205 last month, and submitted Swanson in the dying seconds of their five-rounder just over two years ago. It's time Swanson got a shot at some much needed closure.
Recap: Swanson outslugs Choi in Fight of the Year candidate
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Krzysztof Jotko
After Saturday, one can't help but wonder what took Gastelum so long to return to 185 pounds.
The 25-year-old put brought an emphatic end to Tim Kennedy's two-year layoff with a third-round TKO. Gastelum - who hadn't fought at middleweight in 18 months - impressed with his footwork and boxing, and, assuming he makes the 185-pound division his new home, a meeting with the streaking Jotko makes sense. The Pole has won five straight, and he and Gastelum boast nearly identical skill sets. Book it.
Recap: Gastelum spoils Kennedy's return with 3rd-round TKO
Misha Cirkunov vs. Jimi Manuwa
Light heavyweights take note: Cirkunov is for real.
The Latvian import submitted the lethal Nikita Krylov in under a round to headline Saturday's prelims. Cirkunov is undefeated in the Octagon and put himself in line for some top-five competition with his eighth straight win.
The fifth-ranked Jimi Manuwa got back in the win column with a vicious knockout of Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 204, and a victory over "The Poster Boy" would bring Cirkunov within arm's reach of a title shot in a division lacking intriguing contenders.
Recap: Cirkunov manhandles Krylov to close out UFC 206 prelims
