Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Tony Ferguson, Dominick Cruz and UFC 249's other losers?
(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 249’s winning fighters?)
After every event, fans wonder whom the losing fighters will be matched up with next.
With another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC 248’s most notable fighters.
Those fighters include Tony Ferguson (25-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC), who suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to Justin Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) for the interim lightweight title in the main event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Dominick Cruz (22-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who was stopped by Henry Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the co-headliner for bantamweight gold, as well as Jairzinho Rozenstruik (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) and Donald Cerrone (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC).
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Donald Cerrone
James Krause
Should fight: James Krause
Why they should fight: Although he put on a much stronger effort than his previous three fights, Cerrone took another loss in a unanimous decision to Anthony Pettis and now finds himself in uncharted territory with four consecutive defeats.
There are sure to be requests for Cerrone to give it up at this stage, after an incredibly storied career. That doesn’t seem likely, though, especially given this skid.
Cerrone’s level of competition has been utterly ridiculous in recent years, and perhaps it’s time for a step back to see if he can regain is mojo. Krause (27-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) is by no means a guaranteed win for “Cowboy,” but he’s someone who would likely come in as an underdog. There’s great upside for him, though, because even with his current woes, Cerrone is still a meaningful win.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Aleksei Oleinik
Should fight: Aleksei Oleinik
Why they should fight: After a red-hot start to his UFC career, Rozenstruik was brought crashing back down to earth courtesy of Francis Ngannou and a 20-second knockout loss.
It marked the first defeat of Rozenstruik’s career, and now he’ll go back to the drawing board. Fortunately, there still are many heavyweights for him to fight, with Oleinik (59-13-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC) being one of them.
Oleinik produced one of his biggest career wins earlier in the night when he upset former champ Fabricio Werdum by split decision. The submission ace showed some good striking, but it seems unlikely he’d want to stand with Rozenstruik, who is just the challenge “Bigi Boy” needs. Rozenstruik has faced a string of striker since his UFC debut, and now it’s time to find out what he’s all about on the mat.
Dominick Cruz
Cory Sandhagen
Should fight: Cory Sandhagen
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Cruz should fight Sandhagen (12-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) next if he decides to continue with his MMA career.
Tony Ferguson
Conor McGregor
Should fight: Conor McGregor
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Ferguson should fight McGregor (21-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) next.