Matches to Make After UFC Mexico

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Mexico for UFC Mexico. The main event featured an important flyweight fight battle between former titleholder Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg. Featuring several finishes and exciting fighters on the main card, there’s no doubt that this event has set up several fighters for marquee bouts going forward.

Here are five matches to make following UFC Mexico.

Brandon Moreno vs. Manel Kape

Moreno (23-8-2) has now put together back-to-back wins after defeating Erceg in the night's main event after five hard-fought rounds. The former UFC flyweight champion has rebounded strongly since losing his belt to Alexandre Pantoja and losing a split decision against Brandon Royval. While not quite ready for a title shot just yet, "The Assassin Baby" is never far away due to his popularity, and I'd like to see him fight Kape in a title eliminator. Kape (21-7) has impressed in recent wins over Asu Almabayev and Bruno Silva and is finally showing his full potential. Let's see "Starboy" go up against Moreno in the main event of a Fight Night card next.

Manuel Torres vs. Benoit St. Denis

The co-main event saw Torres pick up the biggest win of his career by scoring a brutal TKO win over Drew Dober. The 30-year-old holds a 16-3 record and has won four of his five fights inside the Octagon. The hard-hitting Mexican has proven himself dangerous on the feet and on the ground, so I'd like to see him against another dangerous striker next. A bout against St. Denis would be an all-out war and a chance for St. Denis (13-3) to bounce back after back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Carneiro.

Edgar Chairez vs. Rei Tsuruya

An emotional Chairez was able to light up C.J. Vergara on the feet and then secure a face crank for the submission win. Now 12-6 as a pro and having won two of his last three fights, "Puro Chicali" is riding some exciting momentum. I'd like to see the 29-year-old flyweight take on Tsuruya next. The 10-1 Japanese fighter entered the UFC with a win over Carlos Hernandez but dropped his most recent fight against Joshua Van. Both men are well-rounded finishers, so it'd be an exciting fight for as long as it lasts.

Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Payton Talbott

It didn’t come easy, but Rosas Jr. passed another test by winning a unanimous decision over Vince Morales. "El Nino Problema" is now 11-1 as a pro at just 20 years old. Rosas Jr. has now won four straight fights and is showing a better all-around game that is still evolving. I'd like to see the Mexican go up against Talbott next. Just 26, the 9-1 fighter is of similar experience and is coming off his first career defeat against Raoni Barcelos. Both men have a lot of potential upside as they develop, so let's see whose development is further along.

David Martinez vs. Cody Gibson

Mexico’s Martinez picked up a big win over Saimon Oliveira by overwhelming his opponent with punches. Now 12-1 as a pro, "Black Spartan" is one to watch. Not lacking confidence, the bantamweight prospect is on an eight-fight win streak. As a result, I'd like to see the 26-year-old get a veteran test next and Gibson would fit the bill perfectly. "The Renegade" is 21-11 and recently picked up wins over Brian Kelleher and Chad Anheliger before losing to Da'Mon Blackshear. The well-rounded veteran would show us exactly how far Martinez is and if he is a fighter to watch going forward.