UFC Vegas 124 delivered a compelling night of mixed martial arts action, serving as the second event in a stretch of back-to-back Apex cards sandwiched between major numbered pay-per-view events. While the fight card lacked high-stakes championship implications on paper, it more than made up for it by delivering an entertaining, action-packed evening featuring memorable moments, dramatic momentum shifts, and statement victories. Fans witnessed everything from a resilient, wild comeback victory courtesy of Thomas Petersen to devastating knockouts delivered by Jose Souza, Elijah Smith, and a triumphant Johnny Walker in the main event.
Now that the dust has settled on UFC Vegas 124 and the event is officially in the books, the conversation naturally shifts toward the future. For the fighters who emerged victorious under the bright lights of the Apex facility, the immediate question is simple: who is next? Analyzing their current trajectories, divisional landscapes, and recent performances provides a clearer picture of potential matchups that could maximize their momentum in the Octagon.
Johnny Walker
Just over a month ago, Johnny Walker’s career at light heavyweight looked to be at a troubling crossroads. He was coming off a disappointing split-decision loss to Dominick Reyes in what many analysts and fans regarded as one of the most forgettable and lackluster fights of the year. Fast forward to today, and the narrative has shifted dramatically. Walker has successfully transitioned and reinvented himself within a new context, now standing as a top-ten-ranked heavyweight riding a two-fight winning streak punctuated by consecutive highlight-reel finishes.
Despite the visual impressiveness of his latest knockout, the heavyweight division is a shark tank led by elite forces. With top contenders like interim champion Tom Aspinall, Alexander Volkov, and the looming high-stakes matchup between Pereira and Pavlovich holding down the upper tier of the division, Walker is still positioned a few steps away from an immediate title shot. However, his explosive finishing ability makes him a dangerous puzzle for anyone in the top ten. Booking him against the loser of the upcoming Pereira and Pavlovich clash makes a tremendous amount of sense stylistically and rankings-wise, offering Walker a definitive path to test his mettle against the absolute elite of the heavyweight weight class.
Walker’s next fight: Pereira/Pavlovich loser
Tatiana Suarez
The journey of Tatiana Suarez has been one of the most compelling storylines in women’s mixed martial arts. Following the first and only defeat of her professional career, Suarez has methodically worked her way back to form, securing three consecutive victories inside the Octagon. In the aftermath of her latest win, she actively campaigned for a championship opportunity. However, examining how the UFC’s matchmakers have operated over the past twelve months, it is far from guaranteed that she will immediately secure a title shot.
Aside from her impressive submission victory over Loopy Godinez, Suarez has occasionally struggled to consistently recapture the aura of dominant invincibility that earned her the moniker "Female Khabib" prior to her setback against Zhang Weili. Even so, when evaluating the current landscape of the division, she remains arguably the most deserving contender available, regardless of whether the promotion’s matchmakers decide to fast-track her or take a different route. A matchup against veteran contender Mackenzie Dern would serve as an exceptional test to cement her status as the definitive next challenger for the crown.
Suarez’s next fight: Mackenzie Dern
Elijah Smith
At just 24 years of age, standout bantamweight prospect Elijah Smith has done virtually everything the UFC brass could possibly ask of a young fighter entering the promotion. Given his stellar performances, it has seemed somewhat unusual that his long-term contract status wasn’t locked down even tighter prior to his latest appearance. Smith has systematically dismantled his recent competition, earning exciting finishes in each of his last three outings.
Given his youth, high-octane fighting style, and current momentum, Smith is more than ready for a step up in competition. Rather than throwing him immediately to the lions in the top fifteen, the most logical progression would be to test him against another rising, unranked, and streaking bantamweight. A high-energy matchup against fellow prospect Colby Thicknesse, ideally targeted for February in Sydney, Australia, makes all the sense in the world for both athletes’ development.
Smith’s next fight: Colby Thicknesse
Lucas Fernando
Every fighter’s journey in the UFC features hurdles, and Lucas Fernando’s path is a prime example of resilience. After suffering consecutive setbacks against Cesar Almeida and Azamat Bekoev, Fernando wisely returned to the drawing board to reassess his approach. The hard work paid off as he rattled off a six-fight winning streak, earning his way back into the premier promotion in August with a stellar victory over Rafael Tobias. He followed that up at UFC Vegas 124 by defeating Billy Elekana, who had entered the bout riding a three-fight winning streak of his own.
With his confidence restored and his momentum fully re-established, Fernando needs an opponent who can challenge his grappling and striking while offering a clear pathway up the middle tier of the division. Christian Edwards, who recently delivered a violent and memorable knockout finish against Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Vegas 121, stands out as an ideal dance partner for Fernando’s next Octagon appearance.
Fernando’s next fight: Christian Edwards
Nina Milosevic
Nina Milosevic put on a striking masterclass at UFC Vegas 124, thoroughly dominating Priscilla Cachoeira. Fights involving Cachoeira often leave observers reflecting on the sheer physical toll she absorbs inside the cage, frequently prompting questions regarding roster consistency within the promotion. Performances of this nature highlight the fact that Milosevic has clearly outgrown this tier of competition and is in urgent need of an increase in her level of opposition.
To truly test her capabilities and see how far she can climb in the division, the matchmakers need to pit her against a more well-rounded and durable test. Nora Cornolle, known for her technical striking and resilience, would present an intriguing and formidable challenge for Milosevic as she looks to break into deeper waters in her division.
Milosevic’s next fight: Nora Cornolle
Mitch Raposo
Mitch Raposo has not experienced the smoothest introductory run to the UFC, but the resilience and admirable nature of his current win streak cannot be overstated. Thrust into a promotional debut on short notice against an undefeated Andre Lima, Raposo demonstrated immense heart before subsequently being matched against the significantly more experienced and currently ranked Sumudaerji. Remarkably, he pushed both opponents to competitive split decisions.
Taking on that high level of strength of schedule so early in a career has derailed many promising young fighters in the past. Instead, Raposo has used those high-stakes fires to forge a three-fight winning streak against highly credible opposition. Because of this proven durability and willingness to take tough fights, he has thoroughly earned an opportunity against a marquee name in the division. An encounter with elite flyweight Steve Erceg would provide Raposo with the exact platform he needs to prove he belongs among the division’s elite.
Raposo’s next fight: Steve Erceg
