A week after we saw a fight card end with nine of eleven finishes, the universe self-corrected with this most recent slate that saw ten of eleven fights end in a decision. The lack of show-stopping finishes certainly doesn’t mean that the rankings weren’t shifted and title pictures changed.

Over the eleven fights, the forecast favorites went 8-3, bringing the forecast’s overall record to 77-41-2 since Cage Calculus first launched. You can look back at the previews and projections for these fights here, here, and here.

Without further ado, here’s what we learned at UFC Vegas 43:

Ketlen Vieira Needs a Title Eliminator Fight

Let’s be honest. The women’s bantamweight division is wide open underneath the champion, Amanda Nunes. The next title challenger, Julianna Pena (#9 CC, #4 UFC) was a reach at best to receive this shot in the first place. Pena has lost two of her last four, both losses coming by submission. That’s hardly worth a title shot against the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time. Yet, the UFC seems hesitant to give Nunes any repeat matchups, given her dominance in her title defenses thus far (the notable exception being against flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko).

So, a title shot is never more than a win or two away in this division. Vieira (#3 CC, #6 UFC) just scored a big win over former champion Miesha Tate (#5 CC, #8 UFC). The ratings and landscape suggest a rematch with Irene Aldana (#4 CC, #3 UFC) would be a good determinant of who gets Nunes next (assuming she beats Pena in December). Aldana scored a massive first round KO against Pena two years ago. She’s since lost to former champion Holly Holm (#2 CC, #2 UFC). Aldana was matched up against Germaine de Randamie (#1 CC, #1 UFC) for UFC 268, but de Randamie pulled out. This matchup makes a load of sense for Vieira. She’s rising above the middle of the pack, likely wants vengeance for that brutal KO in 2019, and these are clearly the top two contenders who’ve never had a crack at Nunes.

Miesha Tate Needs to Turn Around Quickly

Tate turned in a decent performance, but couldn’t quite close the distance between her and the longer Vieira. At 35, Tate is running out of time to make a second run at her former title. This is especially true if Nunes continues defending this belt at the same glacial pace she has thus far. Tate needs to get another fight and another win in the books to re-assert herself in that wide open bantamweight title picture. According to what we know about the current CC ratings, UFC ratings and other surrounding storylines, there are a few goo options for Tate.

Tate has beefed with Aspen Ladd (#10 CC, #5 UFC) about her relationship with her coach and her struggles making weight at 135 pounds. Karol Rosa (#6 CC, #14 UFC) is the closest to Tate in the CC rankings, but is already slated to fight in March, which would slow Tate’s timeline. Raquel Pennington (#7 CC, #9 UFC) is scheduled to fight in a few week’s time. A win there would give Tate the opportunity to face a ranked opponent on a streak and avenge a previous loss. Tate has options, but she needs something quick.

Sean Brady Deserves Another Top 10 Opponent

Brady (#10 CC, #8 UFC) vaulted higher in the UFC rankings after his defeat of Michael Chiesa (NR CC, #9 UFC). Much to the dismay of Daniel Cormier, Brady declined to call out a specific opponent. The CC ratings and the UFC landscape suggest Neil Magny (#6 CC, #7 UFC) would be an excellent pick for Brady’s next matchup to fuel his assent. Brady showed he can compete with top tier talent. Being undefeated also doesn’t hurt. He’s a name to watch at welterweight and deserves another fighter ahead of him his next time out.

Taila Santos is in the Flyweight Title Picture

It looks like Santos (#2 CC, #5 UFC) will have a case to make to be the next woman to face Valentina Shevchenko. Santos teased she knew who she wanted to fight next but wouldn’t say. After Andrea Lee (#5 CC, #8 UFC) won convincingly last week, it will more than likely come down to these two to determine the next flyweight challenger. Being the only fighter on the card to score a knockout, Santos looked all the more impressive Saturday night. Now, it’s up to the matchmakers. A dark horse possibility to look out for might be the winner of Katlyn Chookagian (#3 CC, #2 UFC) and Jennifer Maia (#6 CC, #4 UFC) in January.

Luana Pinheiro Needs a Ranked Opponent

Pinheiro was supposed to get one last week, with a matchup against Jessica Penne (#15 CC, #15 UFC) in the books. However, Penne pulled out and was replaced by Sam Hughes. Pinheiro dominated with exceptional grappling and striking. She is now an impressive 10-1 in her career and sits just outside the CC strawweight top 15. She likely sits just outside the top 15 in the minds of the UFC top brass as well. There is little doubt she needs someone with a number next to her name the next time she enters the octagon.

Photo Credit: UFC.com