Matches to Make After UFC Vegas 101

The Ultimate Fighting Championship put on its first event of 2025. With a key women’s strawweight rematch in the UFC Vegas 101 main event, there was plenty of worthwhile action on the 14-fight card. Here’s what’s next for the top main card winners, including Mackenzie Dern, who defeated Amanda Ribas in the headliner.

Here are five matches to make following UFC Vegas 101.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba 2

Dern (15-5) got revenge over Ribas by securing an armbar in the third round. Now 2-1 in her last three fights, the Brazilian is ready for another high-level rematch. A fight against the streaking Jandiroba would make plenty of sense as "Carcara" has won four straight and is a top contender. However, Ribas won a decision over her countrywoman in 2021, so let's see which fighter has evolved more in the interim. It'd be a solid Fight Night headliner, and the winner would be in a great place for a future title shot.

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez

Ponzinibbio clipped and outstruck Carlston Harris to pick up a TKO win. Now 30-8 as a pro, the "Argentine Dagger" is 2-2 in his last four. A fight against Rodriguez would make sense as "D-Rod is coming off a decision win over Alex Morono. Rodriguez (18-5) and Ponzinibbio always show up looking to throw down, so this welterweight bout could be a potential "Fight of the Night" contender.

Cesar Almeida vs. Brad Tavares

Almeida was calm under pressure and managed to score a brutal knockout of Abdul Razak Alhassan. Now 7-1 as a pro, "Cesinha" has put two wins in a row together. At 36-years-old, Almeida isn’t a prospect but can be put in a lot of fun scraps. Tavares would make for a great next opponent as the Hawaiian needs a comeback fight after back-to-back losses. Both men come to throw down so it'd be an entertaining fight no matter where it happens.

Roman Kopylov vs. Michel Pereira

Controversy aside, Kopylov secured his second straight win inside the Octagon after landing a gorgeous head kick on Chris Curtis. Now having won six of his last seven fights, the Russian fighter will have even bigger fights on the horizon. A fight against another impressive striker in Pereira would be a ton of fun. "Demolidor" recently had an eight-fight win streak snapped by Anthony Hernandez but has proved himself among the best in the division. Let's see both men throw down on a Fight Night card as it'd be a great addition to a card.

Christian Rodriguez vs. Kyle Nelson

Rodriguez outstruck featherweight prospect Austin Bashi to give the UFC newcomer his first loss. Now 12-2, Rodriguez has won three of his last four fights and deserves a step up. I'd like to see "Ceerod" take on Nelson next. "The Monster" is coming off a defeat against Steve Garcia, although the Canadian defeated Bill Algeo, Fernando Padilla and Blake Bilder previously. At 33, Nelson (16-6-1) will give the 27-year-old Rodriguez a more experienced look and will serve as a proper test with his well-rounded game.