Fans at Toyota Center in Hosuton, Texas over the weekend were treated to a handful of statement performances on the main card at UFC Fight Night 267.
Here’s three matchups that make immediate sense in the wake of UFC Houston on Saturday night:
Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) delivered one of the finest performances of his career in Saturday’s main event, halting the relentless ascent of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez up the middleweight division and reminding everyone that he isn’t quite out of the title picture at 185 pounds just yet.
Strickland had almost become the forgotten man at middleweight following a pair of championship-bout defeats to Dricus Du Plessis over the past two years. But with the next wave of contenders such as Hernandez, Caio Borralho, and Reinier de Ridder all stumbling at the penultimate hurdle of their own title runs, Strickland now becomes a very viable option to be the first challenger of Khamzat Chimaev’s (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) title reign.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s event, Dana White effectively shut down speculation that “Borz” might move up to challenge for the light heavyweight title, leaving UFC matchmakers with a straightforward decision between Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov (17-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) for the next title shot.
With the UFC showing an increasing tendency lately to favor the biggest names in these decisions, don’t be surprised if we see Strickland step into the Octagon to take on Chimaev next.
Uros Medic vs. Gabriel Bonfim
Serbian powerhouse Uros Medic (13-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) extended his winning streak to three on Saturday as he flatlined Geoff Neal, picking up an extra $100,000 in bonus money in the process. It took “The Doctor” just 79 seconds to dispose of one of the welterweight division’s gatekeepers, and he should have a number next to his name when the updated UFC rankings are released tomorrow.
Medic called for the opportunity to face former welterweight champion Leon Edwards during his post-fight interview, but he may have to set his sights a bit lower for now. Let’s match him with No. 10–ranked Gabriel Bonfim (19-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and see which of the two advances to face the elite at 170 pounds.
Melquizael Costa vs. Patricio Pitbull
Another fighter who could find himself added to the rankings this week is Melquizael Costa (26-7 MMA, 7-2 UFC), who starched veteran Dan Ige in the opening round of their clash on Saturday’s main card.
After going 4-0 in 2025, “The Dalmatian” picked up where he left off in Houston and, with five wins over the past 365 days, now enters the conversation for compelling matchups at 145 pounds.
Could we see him take on another veteran in former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull (37-8 MMA, 24-6 UFC) next?
