Did this with UFC Freedom 250. Might become a series for all of the numbered events. Let's dive in.
FYI matchups wll be made according to media rankings, not the meta rankings.
Alessandro Costa: Charles Johnson.
Costa is now on a 3-fight winnning streak with all finishes, including his finish on short-notice tonight. I think his shot at the rankings is deserved. Johnson is coming off of being on the stretched end of a crazy suloev stretch finish at UFC Baku, so I think its time he fights down.
When: Noche UFC 4, September 16th
Cody Durden: Ode Osbourne.
The pair was scheduled to fight at this card but was cancelled. I think rebooking is best (gemini kinda helped me with this one as I don't know much about the prelim fighters)
Ryan Gandra: Damian Pinas
Both on 2 fight winning streaks, both fought on the same card. This fight makes total sense.
When: UFC FN in November
Zach Reese: Torrez Finney
Don't know much about this. Used gemini again to help me :)
When: UFC Apex Event in January 2027
Farid Bashrat: Marlon Vera
Bashrat accepts a short-notice replacement and gets the dub. That should be rewarded with a step up. Vera also needs a step down, as he is on a 4 fight losing streak.
When: UFC 337 in March 2027
John Garza: Louis Jourdain
Makes sense. Garza coming off of a loss on short notice takes on a DWCS graduate. Good fight to me.
When: UFC Apex Event in December 2026
Cesar Almeida: Wesley Schultz
Used Gemini again to help me lol. Makes sense, especially if Schultz wins in August.
When: UFC Apex Event in November.
Wang Cong: Rose Namajunas
Makes sense. Namajunas is coming off of a loss, both have beaten Tracy Cortez. I think this is a good fight to book.
When: UFC 333 in MSG
Tracy Cortez: Casey O'Neill
Both are on 2 fight streaks (Cortez losing, O'Neill win). This would be a good fight to make.
When: UFC 334 in December
Luke Riley: Dan Ige
Luke Riley is on fire right now and is a hot prospect in the featherweight division. I think Dan Ige would be a good fight og give him before his shot at the rankings.
When: UFC 333 in MSG
Kai Kamaka III: Ramiro Jimenez
Not much to explain. DWCS graduate.
When: UFC Apex Event in January
Adrian Yanez: Cody Haddon
Prospect vs Solid unranked contender. Should be a good fight.
Cody Garbrandt: Rani Yahya
This fight was originally booked a couple of years ago but was canceled, why not book it again? Can vs Can. Should be a good fight.
Gable Steveson: Tai Tuivasa
Gable knocks out Elisha Ellison with ease, but I think this guy is overrated AF. I think he need sto beat a few more unranked fighters before a step up in the rankings. This is why I think Tai Tuivasa is a good matchup. Allows Gable to build his resume before a shot at the rankings.
Elisha Ellison: Jovan Leka
Used Gemini again lol. Would be good for both fighters ig.
Robert Whittaker: Azamat Murzakanov
Whittaker KOs Nikita Krylov to get into the LHW rankings, why not build him up? I think Azamat is a good matchup. Azamat lost to a former MW so this would be a good fight for Whittaker to build himself up in the LHW division
Nikita Krylov: Oumar Sy
I think Nikita Krylov should be a gatekeepr for a fight or 2 before getting another oponent inside the top 10.
When: UFC 338 in April 2027
Terrance McKinney: Grant Dawson
I think that this fight would be amazing. 2 of the best unranked lightweights going at it. This could easily be on a PPV or Fight Night main card.
When: UFC 336 in February 2027
King Green: Dan Hooker
The most popular matchup for Green. Hooker is on a little bit of a skid and King Green is on a 4 fight winning streak. Great fight.
When: UFC 332 in Ocotber
Brandon Royval: Tatsuro Taira rematch
This fight in my opinion makes the most sense out of all. Taira is coming off of a title fight loss to Van and Royval is coming off of a finish over one of the hottest prospects. Book this fight asap.
When: UFC 336 in February 2027
Lone'er Kavanagh: Winner of Erceg/Temirov
SO I think Kavangh needs a step down to gain his footing because he is sill a future champ in my eyes so the UFC shouldn't give up on him yet. And why not do it with a vet like Erceg? And a prospect in Temirov would be great for Kavanagh aswell.
When: UFC 332 in October
Mario Bautista: Sean O'Malley
Once again, a very popular matchup. Sean is basically the only top contender left to book and Bautista needs to fight a top contender to push towards a title shot.
When: UFC Apex Main Event in December
Cory Sandhagen: Payton Talbott
Good fight for Sanhagen and Talbott. Sandhagen can get back to his feet again and Talbott can shoot into contendership.
When: UFC Denver 2026
Paddy Pimblett: Ilia Topuria
Very obvious. The winner of this fight was always going to fight for No.1 contender next. And Paddy VS. Ilia is must see TV. The UFC cannot miss out on promoting this fight.
When: UFC 333 in MSG or UFC 334 in December (depends on when Ilia is recovered)
Benoit Saint-Denis: Winner of Gamrot/Salkilld
BSD needs a step down. And I think the winner of this fight would be the perfect goldilocks type of step down for BSD. And if he loses, it would be a great fight to boost Gamrot or Salkilld into title contention.
Conor McGregor: Max Holloway trilogy
McGregor has one more fight on his contract and the last fight ended so suddenly. We need a trilogy to settle things.
When: IFW 2027 (most likely UFC 342)
Max Holloway: Mauricio Ruffy
This fight is a great fight for Ruffy. Max Holloway lost his last fight at LW and Ruffy is on back-to-back finishes. Book this.
When: UFC Brazil (August, September, or October)
Thanks for reading.