The four fight cards for UFC’s June slate are officially in the books! The month saw a new champion rise in the light heavyweight division and an all-time great get tested like never before. As always, a number of new contenders staked their claim to get a shot at their respective belts in the near future.

Through the 50 fights on the UFC’s four June cards, the Cage Calculus forecast favorites went 33-17, bringing the forecast’s overall record since its inception to 256-158-2. All forecast projections are based on a fighter’s CC rating. You can find out how those ratings are generated HERE. The CC Editor’s Picks were 29-21 and the odds-on favorites according to Vegas were 32-18.

2022 Overall Standings

• Cage Calculus Forecast: 153-103
• Cage Calculus Editor Picks: 151-105
• Las Vegas Oddsmakers: 167-89

Without further ado, here’s what we learned from the UFC in June:

Jiri Prochazka Is a Dangerous Champion

Of course it’s easy to hype up Prochazka after winning the belt in an all-time classic fight. However, he did it in a way, few expected, by submitting Glover Teixeira (#2 CC, #1 UFC). Many thought Prochazka would have the advantage on the feet, while Teixeira would look to get the fight to the ground. It largely played out that way in a back and forth battle for the ages. However, Prochazka held his own in the ground game, and saw an opportunity to take Teixeira’s back in the waning seconds. And that was all she wrote.

If Prochazka can continue to hang on the ground with the best in the sport and maintain his ridiculous striking prowess, he could be a champion for a long time. Though, light heavyweight is filled with a number of young lions, licking their chops now that Jon Jones has finally vacated the division. It won’t be easy, but Prochazka now stands on the mountain looking to create a dynasty of his own. He has a number of options, with the frontrunner seeming to be a bout with the winner of the fight between Anthony Smith (#3 CC, #5 UFC) and Magomed Ankalaev (#4 CC, #4 UFC) at UFC 277.

Valentina Shevchenko Is Not Immortal

Yes, the “Bullet” did manage to defend her flyweight title for a record seventh time. However, it was her closest title defense by far and many believed the rightful winner was, in fact, Taila Santos (#2 CC, #2 UFC). Shevchenko is showing she may be vulnerable to stronger (bigger) competition. Santos may have provided a playbook for beating the champion. Were it not for an unfortunate clash of heads in the middle of the fight that looked to have fractured Santos’ face, the challenger may have been able to prevail on all three scorecards instead of just one. Given how thoroughly cleared out the flyweight division is at the top right now, an immediate rematch makes a ton of sense. Shevchenko stands on top still (as well as the overall rankings now) but a worthy challenger has emerged.

Zhang Weili Has a Strong Case for Strawweight Gold

Zhang Weili (#1 CC, #2 UFC) left no doubts this time around against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. A spinning back fist sent Jedrzejczyk out of consciousness and into retirement. After an all-time snoozefest in the last strawweight title fight, Weili presented a clear alternative. And, it seems Dana White is intent on giving her the shot to be the first title challenger to champion, Carla Esparza. Given Esparza’s recent misgivings about fighting anytime soon, an interim title bout with surging contender Marina Rodriguez (#4 CC, #3 UFC) would not be unwelcome either. Last month, we noted there was a power vacuum at strawweight. The former champ Weili is bidding to fill it.

Alexander Volkov Refuses to Go Away

It seems like Volkov (#5 CC, #7 UFC) is always knocking on the door of a title shot. However, after his most recent loss, it appeared this may be the final straw for his title aspirations, with so many young contenders coming up through the ranks. However, Volkov managed to spark Jairzinho Rozenstruik (#15 CC, #8 UFC) in just two minutes, ensuring he’ll remain on the edge of the title conversation going forward, especially if he can score another solid win this year.

Erin Blanchfield Is a Legit Contender

Blanchfield (#11 CC, #14 UFC) has dominated some tough opponents since joining the UFC. She seems poised to rise the rankings and has called for the winner of this week’s bout between Maycee Barber (#7 CC, #13 UFC) and Jessica Eye (NR CC, #10 UFC). Flyweight has a lot of young talent chomping at the bit to get to the top rank of the division, occupied clearly by Shevchenko and Santos right now. The future will be fun and Blanchfield could well emerge at the top of the pile.

Not Much Clarity, But Emmett Has a Title Case

Alexander Volkanovski has dominated the featherweight division. With a bout coming up against his nemesis, Max Holloway (#1 CC, #1 UFC), if he prevails a third time, there will be a very short line of names that make sense. Emmett (#3 CC, #4 UFC) won a very narrow split decision over Calvin Kattar (#6 CC, #5 UFC) in Austin. It wasn’t satisfying for those who thought Kattar rightfully won, but the win gives Emmett as good a case as any to be the next man up in the featherweight division.

Kevin Holland Is a Contender at Welterweight

Holland (#12 CC, NR UFC) hasn’t exactly fought the best of the best at 170 pounds, but for a fighter who had questionable grappling, he just added an impressive submission to his record. He still has quick, heavy hands. While his talking gets most of the attention, he will be a problem for a lot of welterweights. It might be high time to give him a shot at a ranked contender in this new weight class to see where he fits.

The Future At Lightweight Is Bright

Both Mateusz Gamrot (#7 CC, #8 UFC) and Arman Tsarukyan (#14 CC, #11 UFC) put on a show for fans in their anticipated bout. The two prospects displayed some of the most elite, technical striking and grappling you’ll see in one bout. Even though only one could win, both have bright futures in the division. With many of the top stars being veterans, there could be a hostile takeover of new blood in the 155 pound division, with these two very possibly leading the way.

Shavkat Rakhmonov Is As Real As It Gets

Rakhmonov (#5 CC, #10 UFC) absolutely ragdolled Neil Magny (#10 CC, #12 UFC) before locking up a submission in round two. The Kazakhstani fighter now has a perfect 16-0 record with all 16 coming by finish. Even more impressive is that eight of those were knockouts and eight were submissions. Opponents aren’t safe anywhere. In all likelihood, he will make a blitz for the title sometime late next year.

There’s a New Eagle of Dagestan

Umar Nurmagomedov (NR CC, #15 UFC) reminded us all why we were in such awe of his older cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Umar put on a grappling clinic and also showcased some skills on the feet, making us wonder if he could dominate the bantamweight division the way Khabib ruled lightweight. The UFC added him to their top 15 and it won’t be long before he gets an opportunity to rise even further.

Other Under-the-Radar Names to Watch From June Fights

• Movsar Evloev
• Jeff Molina
• Chris Curtis
• Jake Matthews
• Brendan Allen
• Damir Ismagulov
• Adrian Yanez

Photo Credit: CBS Sports