This past Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 57, we saw a pivotal matchup in the welterweight division. Top prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov (16-0) was looking to remain unbeaten as he took on “The Haitian Sensation” Neil Magny (26-9).
Magny has taken pride in being a gate keeper for the UFC’s welterweight division. He’s spent the last couple of years calling for a fight with Khamzat Chimaev because he wanted to be the man to derail the hype.
While he never got the Chimaev fight, he did get a chance to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov. For Magny, he needed to make things dirty and keep his distance at UFC Vegas 57. One thing that I knew for sure going into the fight, he needed to stay off the mat.
Well, throughout the first two rounds, he was on his back. Rakhmonov was all over him and never let him up to get some real offense going. Then, in the final seconds of the second round, Rakhmonov locked in a tight guillotine choke. Magny tried to hold off to the bell but ultimately tapped.
What’s next after UFC Vegas 57?
We might be looking at a UFC superstar and generational talent in Shavkat Rakhmonov. For Neil Magny, there’s really no shame in losing to a guy that many are pegging to be a future UFC champion. However, that doesn’t take the sting of defeat away from Magny.
Magny saw his two-fight winning streak get halted and he dropped from 10th to 12th in the rankings. So, what should be next for The Haitian Sensation. Well, I think a rematch could be in order for Magny.
Santiago Ponzinibbio is just outside of the UFC’s top fifteen after losing to Michel Pereira. I don’t think Pereira is an option for Magny as they will likely find him someone coming off of a win. So, why not throw Ponzinibbio and Magny back in there against each other.
A few years ago, Ponzinibbio knocked out Magny on his way to being a super prospect for the UFC. However, since then, he’s dealt with injuries and a 1-3 stretch since returning. Perhaps it’s time to book this rematch with Magny.