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- Brendan Allen vs. Dricus du Plessis — A middleweight test for title contention
- Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Roman Kopylov — A bounce-back kickboxing test
- Andre Fili vs. Felipe Lima — Veteran striker vs. hungry challenger at featherweight
- Jai Herbert vs. Rong Zhu — A lightweight clash to build momentum
- Otari Tanzilovi vs. Carlos Vera — A measured step up for a hot prospect
UFC Vegas 112 left the card with a handful of memorable moments and a fresh set of matchups begging to happen. Brendan Allen’s late submission, a highlight knockout from Andre Fili, and several performances from rising names reshaped the middle of the card and the matchmaking conversation for the next few months.
Below are five realistic fights that make competitive and promotional sense after the show — matchups that could move careers forward, create intrigue for fans, and help the promotion sort through divisional pecking orders.
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Brendan Allen vs. Dricus du Plessis — A middleweight test for title contention
Brendan Allen reinforced his reputation as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the middleweight division by locking up a fifth-round rear-naked choke in the main event. The win stretched his streak and underlined his patience and submission IQ in long, grinding fights. Now Allen is calling for opponents who can push him toward a belt opportunity.
Why this fight matters
- Du Plessis is a former champion with the striking and wrestling base to test Allen’s all-around game.
- Allen’s grind-and-submission style would force Du Plessis into extended ground exchanges, creating a stylistic clash fans care about.
- The matchup has narrative heat: both fighters are on upward trajectories and a win would vault the victor into immediate title-talk territory.
From a matchmaking standpoint, the UFC could either hand Allen a direct title shot depending on the divisional landscape, or stage this high-stakes eliminator first. Either way, this pairing answers questions about whether Allen’s recent run is legitimate at the championship level and whether Du Plessis can handle a relentless grappling threat.
Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Roman Kopylov — A bounce-back kickboxing test
Christian Leroy Duncan saw his unbeaten streak halted by Allen, and the loss exposed weaknesses against constant top pressure and takedown entries. A return fight that leans on Duncan’s striking would help him rebuild and prove he’s corrected those holes.
Why Kopylov is a fit
- Roman Kopylov brings power and forward pressure that would bring out Duncan’s standup arsenal.
- The matchup allows Duncan to re-establish his kickboxing in a contest that still carries risk and legitimacy.
- For Kopylov, beating a recent top prospect would be a resume booster and keep him moving up the ladder.
This is the kind of stylistic reset that can either get Duncan back on track or realistically expose persistent gaps — exactly the kind of middleweight scrap that sorts contenders from pretenders.
Andre Fili vs. Felipe Lima — Veteran striker vs. hungry challenger at featherweight
Andre Fili ended a skid with a devastating head-kick knockout that reminded everyone he’s still a finishing threat in the featherweight ranks. After a highlight-reel finish, pairing Fili with an under-the-radar but dangerous opponent makes promotional sense.
Matchmaking benefits
- Fili’s highlight KO gives him momentum; a fight with Felipe Lima would test whether that finish marks a turnaround.
- Lima is a youthful, aggressive featherweight who would bring pressure and test Fili’s durability and timing.
- The bout balances veteran name value with a fresh challenge — attractive for cards and rankings movement.
Fili doesn’t need a tune-up without stakes; he needs a bout that proves whether the knockout kickstarted a meaningful run. Lima offers that opportunity while giving fans a stylistically compelling fight.
Jai Herbert vs. Rong Zhu — A lightweight clash to build momentum
Jai Herbert’s unanimous decision win in the co-main showed consistency after a rocky stretch, and he’s at a point where a win over a rising, aggressive opponent would push him closer to higher-profile bookings.
How this matchup develops both careers
- Rong Zhu’s pace and pressure would complement Herbert’s kickboxing in a bout that’s likely to produce action.
- Herbert can prove he’s more than a one-off contender by beating a quick, hungry lightweight who’s on the rise.
- For Zhu, a victory over an established veteran like Herbert would validate his ascent in the division.
At 37, Herbert can’t wait indefinitely for marquee fights. A testing opponent like Zhu offers the right balance of challenge and opportunity to push him toward the next tier.
Otari Tanzilovi vs. Carlos Vera — A measured step up for a hot prospect
Otari Tanzilovi answered his debut setback with a second-round head-kick knockout that demanded attention. The Georgian bantamweight showed composure under early pressure and finished decisively — exactly the kind of performance that calls for a careful next step.
Why Carlos Vera makes sense right now
- Vera is experienced and durable, offering Tanzilovi a credible test without an immediate leap into the top 15.
- Tanzilovi would get another chance to showcase finishing ability against a savvy opponent.
- The pairing preserves developmental pacing: it’s competitive and informative without short-circuiting Tanzilovi’s progression.
Rather than rush the newcomer into a ranked matchup after a single UFC victory, this fight would let him build confidence and sharpen his toolkit against a proven veteran — a logical next move for a prospect on the rise.
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John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.
