What’s next for Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Shamil Gaziev after UFC Vegas 87?

In the main event of UFC Vegas 87, heavyweights threw down at the Apex as Jairzinho Rozenstruik took on Shamil Gaziev.

Rozenstruik entered the fight coming off a submission loss to Jailton Almeida last May. Gaziev, meanwhile, made his UFC debut in December at UFC 296 and scored a TKO win over Martin Buday.

Ultimately, it was Rozenstruik who won the fight by doctor stoppage after the fourth round, as the 12th-ranked heavyweight took over the contest following the first round as Gaziev began to fade. Now, following UFC Vegas 87, here is what I think should be next for both fighters involved in the main event.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Jairzinho Rozenstruik was at a career crossroads at UFC Vegas 87. Had Rozenstruik lost to Shamil Gaziev, he would have become a gatekeeper, and any chance of fighting for the belt would be out the window.

Yet, Rozenstruik proved doubters wrong as he dominated Gaziev on the feet, while also showing off solid takedown defense. It was a good performance from Rozenstruik who should get someone ranked above him and that is 10th-ranked heavyweight Derrick Lewis.

It is a surprise that Rozenstruik and Lewis haven’t fought yet, but they are two knockout artists who like to stand and bang. It’s a Fight Night main event or a main card pay-per-view opener which should happen this summer.

Shamil Gaziev

Shamil Gaziev is now 1-1 in the UFC as he had a chance to enter the heavyweight ranks, but his cardio proved to be a major problem in this fight. Gaziev couldn’t get Rozenstruik down, and after the first round, he looked to fade quite a bit which is a worry going forward.

Gaziev is in a weird spot in the UFC, as he just got a top-15 opponent and a main event in his second UFC fight. He now needs a couple of unranked fights to get another crack at a ranked opponent. The next fight for Gaziev should get Waldo Cortes-Acosta who is coming off a win over Andrei Arlovski and it’s a good test to see who the better prospect at heavyweight is.