The Vanquished: What’s Next for the UFC Fight Night 236 Losers

The Ultimate Fighting Championship wrapped up its fourth event of the calendar year with UFC Fight Night 236 which went down on Saturday in Las Vegas. The “UFC Vegas 86” card showcased signature performances by several well-known names. Some fighters established their presence with authority, while others failed to make their desired outcomes a reality.

Despite taking place on the same weekend that the Super Bowl was set to descend on Las Vegas, bringing the eyes of much of the sporting world with it—not to mention the sports bettors that the promotion courts so diligently—the UFC elected to hold Saturday’s card in the crowd-free, subdued setting of the Apex. There was arguably more buzz generated around Friday’s star-studded Power Slap 6 event than the following night's attraction, headlined by middleweight contenders Jack Hermansson and Joe Pyfer.

With UFC Fight Night 236 now in the rearview mirror, we take a look at the combatants who found themselves vanquished at UFC Fight Night 236 but need a next assignment, nonetheless. Here are some possible matchups for the six fighters who lost on Saturday’s main card.

Armen Petrosyan

Petrosyan succumbed to a first-round submission at the hands of grappling specialist Rodolfo Vieira in the opening fight of the main card. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon bided his time early on rather than seeking to force the fight to his desired terrain. When the right opportunity presented itself, he pounced on it at once, scooping and taking Petrosyan to the mats. Once the fight hit the canvas, Petrosyan was caught between a rock and a hard place: He could bear the onslaught of strikes from mount, or attempt to break free while risking submission. Ultimately, Vieira pounced on an opening, securing an arm triangle choke at 4:48 of the first round.

The loss snapped Petrosyan's two-fight win streak, leaving him adrift with the question of what lies ahead. That said, the 33-year-old could be matched up against American-born German middleweight Dustin Stoltzfus, who returned to the win column in December against Punahele Soriano. With their fights taking place a touch over two months apart, the potential timeline of their return aligns with the idea of this matchup. Similarly, a fight with Canada’s Marc-Andre Barriault can be justified for the same purpose. "Power Bar" had his two-fight win streak derailed by Chris Curtis at UFC 297 last month.

Darrius Flowers

Michael Johnson's long UFC tenure has been a tale of inconsistency, sometimes exceeding expectations and other times falling short. However, there's no denying that he remains a gatekeeper in the talent-stacked 155-pound division. Flowers' clash against Johnson was a litmus test to gauge how he stacks up against seasoned contenders in the division. “The Menace” capitalized on his experience and executed a solid game plan built around his trademark hand speed and bodywork. He also mixed in some swift and timely takedowns at different points along the way en route to a unanimous decision victory.

It's undeniable that Flowers is on thin ice in the organization after losing his first two fights. With two losses in as many UFC appearances, the American finds himself in dire straits with limited options at his disposal. A fight against 32-year-old Austin Hubbard presents an opportunity to scramble and salvage his footing in the UFC. Hubbard lost to Kurt Holobaugh in his last outing in the final of the Ultimate Fighter 31 on Aug. 19, 2023, at UFC 292. This matchup can serve as the perfect stepping stone for both fighters to pick up the pieces and regather themselves after their setbacks.

Brad Tavares

Three losses in his last four fights indicate that Tavares has been navigating choppy waters. At UFC Fight Night 236, Tavares succumbed to a third-round TKO loss at the hands of Gregory Rodrigues. In the first two rounds, Tavares maintained his stance and upheld his assertion, even though “Robocop” showed a clear power advantage. In the third, Rodrigues came out hunting for a finish, stinging Tavares with a barrage of strikes and backing him against the fence. The continued onslaught prompted referee Jason Herzog to step in and halt the action.

At 36, title aspirations seem far-fetched for the American. Having said that, he still has a few good fights left in his tank, and a clash against either Julian Marquez or Abusupiyan Magomedov presents a good opportunity for Tavares to unleash his skills. Marquez and Magomedov are both on two-fight losing skids, seeking redemption in their next fights themselves.

Robert Bryczek

A short notice assignment didn't seem to bother Ihor Potieria, who delivered one of his best career performances against Bryczek. Although missing weight may have been a slight dent in Potieria’s performance, one cannot take away from the brilliant display to secure the victory. Through three sharply contested bouts, Potieria showcased refined striking skills, securing a unanimous decision victory.

The loss calls for deliberation and reflection on what's next for Bryczek, whose five-fight win streak was disrupted. It will take some time for the Polish middleweight to assert his claim in the middleweight division having had only one fight in the UFC so far. With limited options, a potential clash against Zach Reese, who encountered a setback in his UFC debut much like Bryczek, seems like the right choice.

Andre Fili

Dan Ige took care of business, quickly felling Fili in the first round of their co-main event clash. Ige deceived Fili with labored jab attempts, disguising a powerful right hand behind them. When the opportunity opened up, he countered Fili's jab with a powerful overhand right, flooring him, then delivered a brutal follow-up strike for good measure. Fili has recorded two wins and three losses in his last five outings and the age is catching up for once a title aspirant. "Touchy" can look at options like Alex Caceres or Hakeem Dawodu for his next assignment. Caceres, coming off a unanimous decision loss to Giga Chikadze in August 2023 presents a unique challenge for the featherweight staple.

Joe Pyfer

Jack Hermansson did exactly what was expected of a veteran when facing a bigger, younger, fiery prospect. Pyfer was the aggressor early in the fight, as many expected, hitting Hermanson with heavy punches to the body and head. Hermanson's measured and calculated approach paid dividends in the later rounds, and the fight's final two frames marked the end of a systematic demolition of the ascendant prospect with the judges ultimately unanimously scoring the fight 48-47 in his favor.

As for Pyfer, it’s a bump in the road, and the best may be yet to come. With a minor setback in an otherwise promising future, the American can pat himself on the back for going toe-to-toe with a war-forged veteran. The path ahead is rife with opportunities, with matchups against fighters such as Brunno Ferreira or Andre Muniz presenting as viable options. Ferriera clocked a resounding first-round KO victory over Phil Hawes in his last fight and a duel of heavy hitters would excite the fans beyond any doubt. Meanwhile, Muniz is coming off a split-decision victory over Jun Yong Park. Will the UFC decide to pit Pyfer against a fellow rising prospect like Ferreira or hand him another opportunity to test his skills against a veteran like Muniz?