1. Antonio Trocoli
Background:
Antonio Trocoli made his UFC debut against Sharabutdin Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia, losing via TKO in the third round. Despite the loss, Trocoli showed toughness and resilience in the fight. He was originally scheduled to face Aliskerov at UFC Vegas 93 before Aliskerov stepped in to fight Whittaker.
Why this makes sense:
Rebooking the fight between Aliskerov and Trocoli would be a logical step. Both fighters were prepared to face each other previously, and it would allow Aliskerov to rebound against a fellow rising contender in the division.
- Type: Rising contender
- Reason: Logical rebooking of an originally scheduled fight
- Potential Timing: Late 2024
2. Andre Muniz
Background:
Andre Muniz holds a UFC record of 6-2 and is known for his grappling prowess. He was scheduled to fight Aliskerov at UFC Vegas 95 before withdrawing due to a foot fracture. Muniz rebounded with a victory over Park Jun-yong at UFC Vegas 83.
Why this makes sense:
Muniz poses a significant threat to Aliskerov, particularly on the ground. His grappling skills could challenge Aliskerov's defense and provide a tough test in the middleweight division. This fight would also serve as a chance for Aliskerov to prove himself against a seasoned UFC competitor.
- Type: Grappler
- Reason: Tough test on the ground
- Potential Timing: Early 2025
3. Anthony Hernandez
Background:
Anthony Hernandez is on a five-fight winning streak in the UFC middleweight division. Ranked 14th, Hernandez has shown improvements in his striking and grappling abilities. He defeated Roman Kopylov at UFC 298 and was scheduled to fight Roman Dolidze at UFC 302 before withdrawing due to injury.
Why this makes sense:
Hernandez represents a dangerous matchup for Aliskerov due to his well-rounded skill set and current momentum in the division. Fighting Hernandez would be a significant step up in Aliskerov's competition and a chance to test himself against a top-ranked opponent.
- Type: Well-rounded
- Reason: Dangerous opponent on a winning streak
- Potential Timing: Late 2024
