The dust has settled from UFC 269 and it’s time to take a look what’s next for most of the main card.
MyBookie head oddsmaker David Strauss checks in with his odds on the contenders.
Let’s take a look.
Editor’s Note: Odds may be subject to change. Visit MyBookie to confirm the current odds.
WHO’S GOT NEXT FOR CHARLES OLIVEIRA?
Charles Oliveira is sitting pretty right now after his impressive dismantling of Dustin Poirier at UFC 269. He deserves to be rested and healthy when he faces his next challenge.
#2 JUSTIN GAETHJE (23-3-0, 1NC) (-200)
Andrews: Dana White confirmed at the UFC 269 post-fight press conference that Gaethje is the next logical choice. Take that for what you will.
#4 ISLAM MAKHACHEV (21-1-0) (+150)
Andrews: Makhachev had a nice win over Dan Hooker earlier this year but hasn’t fought anyone in the top five. He has a big backer in Khabib, but I think Islam still needs at least one more big fight for more consideration.
#3 BENEIL DARIUSH (21-4-1) (+200)
Andrews: Dariush is in the same position as Makhachev, impressive as his run has been. I could see Makhachev and Dariush battling it out for the next spot. But of course, stranger things have happened.
#1 DUSTIN POIRIER (27-7-0, 1NC) (+350)
Andrews: Well, Poirier just had his shot. He lost convincingly and he knows he’s back at square one. He should take some time away like he said he would and decide if he really wants to climb the mountain again.
MAX HOLLOWAY (23-6-0) (+400)
Andrews: Even if Holloway just moved up to lightweight again as the featherweight champion, he wouldn’t get the fight. This is the long shot.
WHO’S GOT NEXT FOR DUSTIN POIRIER?
Dustin Poirier has some thinking to do. You could see it at the post-fight press conference. He knows that it’s going to be a long road back to a title shot.
#5 MICHAEL CHANDLER (22-7-0) (+110)
Andrews: Boy, did Chandler have some freak luck, getting a title shot with a single fight. But now having lost two in a row, I can see why a fight with Poirier makes sense.
#9 CONOR MCGREGOR (22-6-0) (+145)
Andrews: This one is a bit complicated as Conor is trying to get back to a title shot too and may not be as interested in Poirier as he once was. And it’s not a money fight anymore.
#4 BENEIL DARIUSH (21-4-1) (+400)
Andrews: This one doesn’t make as much sense. Dariush is trending up. Poirier is at the bottom.
#6 RAFAEL DOS ANJOS (30-13-0) (+500)
Andrews: Poirier would balk at this one. He doesn’t want to be a gatekeeper.
WHO’S NEXT FOR SEAN O’MALLEY?
O’Malley has Dana White’s attention after UFC 269. He realizes now that he is going have to pay the guy. But now O’Malley also has to buckle down as he is staring at ranked contenders from now on.
#7 CODY GARBRANDT (12-5-0) (+100)
Andrews: If they want to feed O’Malley, Garbrandt is probably the biggest name to do that right now.
#10 MARION MORAES (23-9-1) (+150)
Andrews: Moraes is another one down on his luck. He’s still ranked No. 10, and a dangerous matchup for O’Malley. Remember, O’Malley’s ground game has been untested against top competition.
#8 PEDRO MUNHOZ (19-7-0, 1NC) (+200)
Andrews: This would be a great fight on paper for O’Malley. It would showcase his striking and since Munhoz just lost to Dominick Cruz, he might want steal O’Malley’s thunder.
#11 MARLON VERA (18-7-1) (+250)
Andrews: I don’t know if White would rush to match up O’Malley with Vera. But if both keep winning, they may have to rematch.
#5 FRANKIE EDGAR (24-10-1) (+400)
Andrews: It’s been tough for Edgar. At this point “The Answer” is a gatekeeper. I personally wouldn’t be shocked if this matchup came through.
#9 DOMINICK CRUZ (24-3-0) (+500)
Andrews: If Cruz keeps looking competitive, the odds could lower. But as the next opponent for O’Malley, highly unlikely.
Let’s see what Dana White, Sean Selby, Mick Maynard and the team come up with.
