Three Fights We Want to See After UFC Houston

With the UFC’s exciting stop in Houston now in the rear view mirror, it’s time to look to the future, as the card’s winners set their sights on their next challenges, and its losers look for the opportunity to bounce back.

While their are exciting options available for all of Houston’s 24 fighters going forward, there are three fight that jumped out at us as absolute must-books in the wake of this event.

Click next to see the fights we’re dying to see after UFC Houston!

1.”The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung vs. Yair Rodriguez

In the main event of the UFC’s trip to Houston, fan favorite featherweight Chan Sung Jung – better known as The Korean Zombie – returned to the Octagon after a hiatus of more than three years. He did so against a top-10 foe in Dennis Bermudez.

The reanimated zombie made good on his return, zapping his foe with an uppercut in the very first round. Now, he will look to continue his climb up the featherweight rankings, where a rematch with Jose Aldo – who he lost to in 2013 – could await.

When considering the options for the Korean Zombie’s next fight, there is no option more compelling than Yair Rodriguez, an all-action Mexican prospect who recently burst into title contention with a second-round defeat of BJ Penn.

Book it, UFC!

2. Alexa Grasso vs. Paige Van Zant

When she stepped onto the canvas with Felice Herrig in Houston, Alexa Grasso was considered one of the hottest prospects in the UFC strawweight division. Regrettably for the 23-year-old and her many fans, Herrig was simply the better woman on Saturday, outworking her young foe to a unanimous decision win.

Now riding the first loss of her career, Grasso will look to get back on track in her next fight. When booking this next fight, we hope the UFC will consider 22-year-old prospect Paige Van Zant, who recently hit a snag of her own when she was tapped out by Michelle Waterson in the first round.

3. Jessica Andrade vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 

Since winning the UFC strawweight title from Carla Esparza in March of 2015, Joanna Jedrzejczyk has defended it four times, establishing herself as one of the UFC’s most dominant champions in the process. As such, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find viable challengers for her.

On the main card of the UFC’s Saturday trip to Houston, however, Jessica Andrade established herself as a bona fide strawweight contender with an action-packed decision win over Angela Hill. With this thrilling victory, the Brazilian more than earned a crack at the champ. Luckily, UFC President Dana White seems to agree.

Which fights do you want to see after the UFC Houston? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/5/2017.