Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his title against Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305. With this win, Du Plessis remains undefeated in the Octagon and has defeated three of the last four fighters to hold the belt. Moving forward, the next logical step for Du Plessis would be a rematch against Sean Strickland. Their previous title fight was entertaining and very close, making a rematch a highly anticipated event. Another wildcard option for Du Plessis could be the winner of the Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 308. While this might not be the most realistic option, it could provide an interesting challenge for the middleweight champion.
Israel Adesanya is now at a crossroads in his career after suffering back-to-back losses. While he is still considered an elite fighter, his recent struggles raise questions about his future in the division. A fresh matchup for Adesanya upon his return could be against Khamzat Chimaev. This fight would not only be intriguing but could also motivate both fighters to perform at their best. Another wildcard option for Adesanya could be the winner of Brendan Allen vs. Nassourdine Imavov. While this matchup may not offer much in terms of title contention, it could provide Adesanya with an opportunity to showcase his skills against a different opponent.
Kai Kara-France returned from a yearlong layoff with an impressive first-round knockout of Steve Erceg at UFC 305. This victory puts Kara-France in a prime position to challenge for the flyweight title. A potential matchup for Kara-France could be against Alexandre Pantoja, whom he lost to on “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2016. While there aren’t many other viable options for the champion, Kara-France has the tools to potentially dethrone Pantoja. A wildcard option for Kara-France could be a fight against Manel Kape, a matchup fueled by real heat between the two fighters.
After his impressive performance at UFC 305, Dan Hooker has a plethora of options for his next fight. He could face fighters like Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, or Justin Gaethje. However, a matchup against Charles Oliveira could be the most exciting choice. Oliveira’s recent success and fighting style make him a compelling opponent for Hooker. The matchup between Hooker and Oliveira would undoubtedly be an action-packed fight that fans would love to see. Another wildcard option for Hooker could be a fight against Gaethje, with the timing potentially aligning for a bout in December.
Carlos Prates showcased his skills with a stunning knockout of Li Jingliang at UFC 305, solidifying himself as a rising star in the UFC. For his next fight, Prates could face opponents like Punahele Soriano, Randy Brown, or Jake Matthews. These matchups would provide Prates with the opportunity to face legitimate opponents without necessarily jumping into ranked fighters just yet. However, a wildcard option for Prates could be a matchup against Vicente Luque. While this fight may seem ambitious, a victory over Luque could catapult Prates into more high-profile fights in the future.
The fighters from UFC 305 have various potential matchups and opportunities for their next fights. Whether it’s title contention, grudge matches, or rising star clashes, the UFC roster provides a multitude of possibilities for these talented athletes. Fans can look forward to exciting matchups and intriguing storylines as these fighters continue to make their mark in the Octagon.