UFC Vegas 106 delivered an unexpected thrill, packed with six consecutive finishes early in the preliminaries, captivating fans and fighters alike. Talented newcomers like Hyun Sung Park, Denise Gomes, Luana Santos, and Yadier del Valle showcased their skills. Established fighters Jared Gordon and Gabe Green also secured impressive finishes, setting the stage for an electrifying main card. The highlight came when rising star Michael Morales faced former title challenger Gilbert Burns. Let’s explore the next moves for the main card’s winners from this exciting event.
Michael Morales achieved a significant milestone by decisively defeating Gilbert Burns in the main event. Although Burns entered the Octagon with a three-fight losing streak, those defeats were against top-tier competitors: former champion Belal Muhammad, current champion Jack Della Maddalena, and current No. 2 contender Sean Brady. Morales’ ability to finish Burns in under a round is an incredible statement about his potential.
The welterweight division is experiencing a surge of fresh talent, with younger fighters making their mark by defeating established veterans. Morales’s victory positions him to crack the top ten, but the division is tightening up as Islam Makhachev moves to seek the title at lightweight. Rising talents like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, Ian Machado Garry, and the winner of the Atlanta main event next month will all be eyeing the prize. Although a matchup with Leon Edwards appears logical for Morales, the UFC should approach his next fight with caution. At just 25 years old, Morales has time to develop his skills further. A bout against the winner of Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland at UFC 316 presents a solid opportunity that would also keep him active. Moreover, Morales has expressed interest in fighting during the September event in Guadalajara, making this matchup feasible for both Luque and Holland.
For Morales, the next fight should be against the winner of Luque and Holland.
Mairon Santos, the winner of The Ultimate Fighter last summer, had a lot of pressure coming into his UFC debut this past March against Francis Marshall. Many believed he lost that fight, despite the judges awarding him the victory. Nevertheless, the UFC granted the 24-year-old Santos another shot at a higher level of competition against the experienced “Super” Sodiq Yusuff at UFC Vegas 106. Yusuff, a former top-ranked featherweight, came into the matchup following losses to Edson Barboza and Diego Lopes. Santos rose to the challenge, dominating Yusuff and winning by unanimous decision with two judges scoring it 30-27 in his favor.
Looking ahead, a matchup against Julian Erosa makes perfect sense for Santos. Erosa holds a solid record of 9-4 in his last 11 fights, with notable victories over Sean Woodson, Nate Landwehr, and Charles Jourdain. Sparring with Erosa would present a respectable challenge for Santos, who may want to avoid rushing into the top 15 just yet.
Santos’s next fight should be against Julian Erosa.
Nursultan Ruziboev, standing at 6’5”, continues to impress with a UFC record of 4-1 after winning his second fight of 2025 at UFC Vegas 106. His sole loss was a short-notice matchup against Joaquin Buckley at welterweight, which hasn’t tarnished his reputation. Ruziboev called out Bo Nickal following his latest victory, but he might need a few more signature wins before aiming for such high-profile matchups. Competing against fighters like Cesar Almeida, Christian Leroy Duncan, or Gerald Meerschaert could provide Ruziboev the experience he needs. A meeting with veteran Eryk Anders, who is currently on a two-fight win streak, would be an excellent step for Ruziboev.
Ruziboev’s next fight should be against Eryk Anders.
Melquizael Costa has already made waves in 2025, having fought and won three times within five months. Following a submission victory over Andre Fili in February and a tough win against Christian Rodriguez in Mexico City, Costa faced off against Julian Erosa in what turned out to be the Fight of the Night at UFC Vegas 106. Costa emerged victorious, extending his win streak to four fights. As he inches closer to title contention, Costa must decide whether to wait for a strategically advantageous matchup or remain active. If he’s looking for a push toward the rankings, a fight against the struggling Calvin Kattar or Steve Garcia, scheduled for July, could be beneficial. Alternatively, if Costa wishes to follow a more active path and emulate Kevin Holland’s career, a matchup with Pat Sabatini would fit both strategy and timing.
For Costa, the ideal next opponent should be Pat Sabatini.
This analysis highlights the promising futures of UFC Vegas 106 winners and outlines potential avenues for their next challenging bouts. As they continue their journeys through the ranks, fans can look forward to more exciting matchups in the coming months.
