UFC on Fox 20: Holm vs. Shevchenko fights to make

I love the smell of fresh fights in the morning. We’ve just been through 6ish hours of UFC action and now it’s time to examine the fallout for the best potential fantasy fight bookings. And maybe if I do a super super good job, I’ll be invited to the next Silva/Shelby afternoon tea.

In hopes of receiving my invite, I’m following the Joe Silva, Sean Shelby method to the best of my abilities. No, that doesn’t mean that I’ll be sitting the women fighters for 8 months, but I will be matching winners vs. winners, losers vs. losers and similarly tenured talents against one another. Hopefully this creates the closest possible view of what the future will hold for each competitor from UFC on Fox 20. On that note…

VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO: If Ronda Rousey’s return isn’t right around the corner, then Shevchenko vs. Nunes probably makes the most sense as Nunes’ first title fight. If the Rousey fight is happening soon (and I kind of assume it will be) then the fight to make is Julianna Pena. The winner of a fight between Pena and Shevchenko would undeniably be the next top contender in the division. So, assuming Rousey vs. Nunes is on tap, then Shevchenko vs. Pena is the fight to book.

HOLLY HOLM: Normally when a top contender like Holm has her back against the wall with two straight losses, I shy away from putting her in a 3rd huge fight that she could easily lose. I tend to shoot for something more like Holm v.s McMann or Holm vs. Carmouche. Fights that she could lose, but should be able to win. However, I really don’t think the UFC cares about keeping Holm around as a big draw for a number of *cough-rousey-cough* *cough-fresquez-cough* reasons. As that’s the case, the next fight for Holm couldn’t be simpler. Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate 2. It was close the first time, Holm could certainly beat Tate in a rematch, and it’s one of the few non-title fights that could add value to a card in that division right now. Book it.

EDSON BARBOZA: What to do with Edson Barboza… Is he a potential title challenger? Definitely. Are there two other potential title challengers ahead of him in line in that division? Yes. If for some reason Ferguson and Khabib can’t fight Alvarez (or one another) I’d love to see Barboza vs. Alvarez or Barboza vs. Nurmagomedov. The point where things get really hairy is if Nurmagomedov fights Alvarez next, …

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