What Next For The UFC Moscow Main Card Winners?

What Next For The UFC Moscow Main Card Winners?

By Jon Prentice

This past weekend saw the UFC make its promotional debut in Russia, with Moscow’s Olimpiyski Stadium playing host to the fifth largest live UFC attendance, with over 22,000 spectators turning out to witness the action. The card played host to some fun fights, in particular on the prelims, to make the maiden visit to Russia a successful one in many fans eyes.

Here is a look at some potential future match ups for the evenings main card winners.

Aleksei Oleinik (57-11-1):

The main event featured two MMA veterans in a battle of contrasting styles, as submission specialist Aleksei Oleinik squared off with one punch knockout artist Mark Hunt. It was Russia’s Oleinik who came out victorious as he withstood a barrage of Hunt leg kicks and powerful right hands to eventually take his opponent down, take his back and lock on a rear naked choke to force the tap late in the first round. The Boa Constrictor, as he is otherwise known, is certainly living up to his nickname, taking his tally to an unbeleivable 45 wins via submission on his record.

41 year old Oleinik now has back to back wins following defeat to Curtis Blaydes back at UFC 217, and has impressively only lost 2 of his last 17 fights. He has defeated the likes of Hunt, Junior Albini, Travis Browne and Mirko Cro Cop in recent years and will now be looking to make a push towards a title shot given the fact he may only have a few years remaining at the top level.

Personally, I would go with Oleinik vs Overeem next. With a win over a big name such as Overeem, Oleinik will really put himself amongst the top ranks of the division and within a win or two of a potential title shot. Overeem is currently on a two fight losing streak having suffered back to back brutal KO’s by Francis Ngannou and Curtis Blaydes, and a fight with Oleinik, who was ranked just outside the top 10 prior to Saturday, also gives him the opportunity to get back in the win column. Stylistically this could prove to be another entertaining stiker vs grappler contest.

Jan Blachowicz (23-7):

The co-main event saw the number 4 ranked light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz welcome Nikita Krylov back to the UFC. It was not the return Krylov was hoping for as resurgent Blachowicz put on one of his best displays to date to force a submission via arm triangle midway through the second round.

Blachowicz now has four wins on the bounce having defeated Krylov, Jimi Manuwa, Jared Cannonier and Devin Clark, having previously gone on a slump of only one win in five fights. Immediately following the victory, Blachowicz called for a shot at the light heavyweight title.

As things stand the light heavyweight picture is currently up in the air. It is uncertain whether current champion Daniel Cormier will ever return to the division and there are strong rumours that the UFC is targeting a rematch between returning Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson for UFC 230 in New York, potentially for the title if DC vacates. As for Blachowicz, I would look to a fight with him vs the winner of Volkan Oezdemir and Anthony Smith next, who face off in the main event of UFC Moncton on October 27th. With a win over either Oezdemir or Smith, it would be hard to deny Blachowicz a shot at the title, whoever may hold it at the time.

Shamil Abdurakhimov (19-4):

In a somewhat lacklustre heavyweight clash, Abdurakhimov did enough in the judges eyes to pick up a unanimous decision victory over MMA veteran and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.

In a relatively tentative affair, Adburakhimov was deemed to have landed the more significant strikes and forced takedowns at important times to get the nod as the fight went the distance.

Winner of four of his last six fights, including a TKO victory over Chase Sherman in his last outing, Abdurakhimov will be looking to the top 10 for his next opponent. I would pit him against Mark Hunt in his next outing, with Hunt proving a good litmus test for the upper echelons of the heavyweight division. Hunt, who was defeated in the nights main event, now has back to back losses to his name and will be eager to get back to winning ways. A fight with Russia’s Abdurakhimov would definitely give him that opportunity, but a win for the Russian could provide his gateway to the divisions top 10.

Alexey Kunchenko (19-0):

In the opening fight of the main card, former M1 Global Welterweight Champion Alexey Kunchenko earned a unanimous decision victory in his UFC debut over former UFC title challenger Thiago Alves.

In a fight contested purely on the feet, it was Kunchenko who pressured his opponent more, landing the cleaner shots as he marched his way to the win on his debut. At 34 years old, Kunchenko will be hoping to fast track his way to the top 15 of the division. Post fight he called for a fight with Donald Cerrone, however, I feel that he is still at least one fight away from that potential showdown.

For his next outing inside the octagon I would go with Kunchenko against someone such as James Krause. Winner of his last five, including a fantastic TKO victory over Warlley Alves in his last outing at UFC Lincoln, Krause finds himself just outside the top 15, and is another experienced veteran that could test Kunchenko’s calibre in the organisation.