Next possible opponents for Alexander Volkanovski, Valentina Shevchenko, and the other UFC 266 main card winners.
UFC 266 was packed with action from beginning to end, highlighted by the performances of two dominant champions.
The featherweight division is reigned over by a champion who hasn’t been defeated in his last 20 outings. Volkanovski fought through adversity and came out on top as he so often does. Meanwhile, Shevchenko further cemented her command over the division that she’s ruled since 2018.
Now that the results for UFC 266 are finalized and the bonuses have been handed out, let’s take a look at what’s next for the winners from Saturday’s main card.
Potential next opponents for UFC 266 main card winners
Alexander Volkanovski
Next Opponent: Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez winner
Presently, there aren’t many fresh faces at the top of the featherweight division for Volkanovski to face next. The name at the top of the heap is undoubtedly Yair Rodriguez, who must first get past the legendary Max Holloway.
Holloway remains the No. 1 contender and he’ll solidify that status with a victory over Rodriguez on Nov. 13. At the same time, Rodriguez will steal Holloway’s top-contender seat if he walks away the victor in November.
There are other possible opponents ranked outside of the top five that could assert themselves after another quality win (e.g., Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze). Still, Volkanovski will more than likely face the winner of Holloway vs. Rodriguez in his next title defense.
Valentina Shevchenko
Next Opponent: Amanda Nunes
It’s time for the two greatest female mixed martial artists in the history of combat sports to face off yet again. Shevchenko and Nunes have fought twice previously, with both contests going to the judge’s scorecards.
Of course, Nunes will have to get past Julianna Pena before this fight can be booked. Where we currently stand today, both ladies have cleared out their respective divisions, leaving basically zero viable title challengers.
A Shevchenko and Nunes matchup would be a blockbuster fight, more than worthy of headlining a PPV card. Moreover, they’re both still at the top of their game’s which makes for that much more hype.
Robbie Lawler
Next Opponent: Nate Diaz
It’s tough to peg where Lawler goes after UFC 266 where he secured his first win since 2017 and his first finish since 2015. The former welterweight champ is still a win away from fighting another ranked foe.
A fight with the other Diaz brother would surely be exciting and packed with storylines, with Nate looking to avenge the loss of his brother Nick.
Make it a three-round bout at welterweight with the winner being awarded a ranked opponent in their next fight. Not only would it be a competitive, high-paced affair, but it’d also serve as a throwback of sorts for all of the longtime fans.
Curtis Blaydes
Next Opponent: Chris Daukaus
Blaydes simply didn’t do enough to warrant strong consideration for a crack at heavyweight gold. Not only that, but the heavyweight title picture is rather muddied currently with the status of Francis Ngannou being in question.
Blaydes will more than likely slide up to No. 3, just behind Stipe Miocic who probably won’t be jumping at the bit to take a fight with Blaydes as he waits for a chance to get his belt back.
Giving Blaydes fellow UFC 266 winner Chris Daukaus might be the only logical option here. Daukaus has yet to lose since entering the UFC and he just picked up his most impressive victory to date, which will likely move him up to No. 6 in the heavyweight ranks.
Jessica Andrade
Next Opponent: Jennifer Maia
The likelihood of Andrade receiving another fight with Shevchenko is pretty minuscule. Thus, matching her with Jennifer Maia would create a scenario for the winner to be granted another title shot.
Both ladies are coming off of recent victories and both of their most recent losses were against the champ. Additionally, Andrade and Maia fought once before all the way back in 2012 at Samurai Fight Combat where Maia walked away the winner.
UFC 266 took place on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided who will be on-site for all your live news and highlights.