UFC 196’s two main events delivered in unexpected ways—not only that both underdogs won, but how each fight played out and where the results leave us exiting the exciting fight card.
Nate Diaz and Miesha Tate both sunk in rear-naked chokes to win their contests. Diaz put a brief halt to the hype of Conor McGregor, while Tate claimed UFC gold for the first time. Both results will pay off in the long-term for the UFC, but in the short term, questions linger about what will happen next.
Here is what should be coming up next for the four participants in UFC 196’s main events.
Holly Holm
Holm is an extraordinary fighter, and one who is still very much young to the grappling aspect of the sport. The inexperience showed when Tate was able to put her flat on the canvas. With time, these flaws will get fixed, and at a top-tier camp such as Jackson-Winkeljohn’s, she will right the mistakes.
Holm won’t be too far out of another title shot, but she needs to fight another contender to preserve that right. The best option would be fellow UFC 196 participant Amanda Nunes.
Nunes could very well vie for a title shot herself, but I’ll explain why that is a mistake (for the UFC) in just a second. Nunes vs. Holm would be a legitimate title eliminator that could take place in the late summer or early fall. That should be where the focus goes for Holm's next outing.
Miesha Tate
Ronda Rousey is guaranteed an immediate title shot upon her return, but the UFC isn’t expecting her back until the end of the year. That would put Nunes in the catbird seat, but the UFC should wait for Rousey.
ESPN is reporting that Dana White has said Ronda Rousey will return and face Miesha Tate next. Oh boy... #UFC196
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) March 6, 2016
Tate vs. Rousey is the longstanding rivalry at 135 pounds, and one that would draw a lot better than Tate vs. Nunes. That is just a fact. Rousey is a near-ubiquitous name at this point. Why waste the opportunity to take advantage of Rousey’s return against her most hated opponent for the belt she lost?
Rousey vs. Tate III is a money fight, and the UFC shouldn’t risk money fights. Period.
Nate Diaz
Diaz’s performance elevated his stock to heights he has never seen before. The exposure he received from the press conferences to fight week had his stock rising, and after the finish it is now as high as it will be. Buy low, sell high? Sell the title fight.
Conor McGregor: 145 it's a cut, it's intense but I make it and I make it every time. I'll defend my belt. Nate will fight dos Anjos#UFC196
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 6, 2016
It is hard to justify a shot coming at 170 despite the UFC 196 bout happening at welterweight. Sticking to lightweight and challenging Rafael dos Anjos is the correct call.
Diaz has a bit of history with Dos Anjos that assists in the narrative arc of selling the fight. It is the only realistic option for the UFC and Diaz. It should be easy to pull the trigger and make this fight happen.
Conor McGregor
McGregor is, by far, the most interesting case coming out of UFC 196. He is the featherweight champion but has bulked up considerably. The question becomes: Does he go to 145 again or does he try 155 full-time?
McGregor suggests he will defend his featherweight championship. Whether he can or not is yet to be seen. Regardless, there are only two names who can be his next opponent: Jose Aldo or Frankie Edgar.
Dana White says that McGregor going back down to defend the 145lb belt probably makes the most sense next, against either Aldo or Edgar.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) March 6, 2016
Conor: At least Frankie Edgar shows up to compete#UFC196
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 6, 2016
If McGregor does indeed drop back to featherweight, then it has to be Edgar. It would be criminal for the UFC to shun him yet again. But, in spite of recent showings, White was not committing to Edgar being next in line for a shot at the gold. Aldo could usurp that fight just because of the heat between he and McGregor.
If McGregor can’t go to 145, meeting Aldo at 155 would be a perfect start. It’s marketable, it’s fascinating and it’s meaningful.
It’s as simple as 145 for Edgar, or 155 for Aldo. Either option is great for the UFC and the fans.
