UFC 273 — Who’s next for Khamzat Chimaev, Alexander Volkanovski and Aljamain Sterling?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Khamzat Chimaev stole the show, as expected, at UFC 273 on Saturday night with a unanimous-decision win over Gilbert Burns in what Dana White called one of the greatest fights he’s ever seen. Featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski put on a show of his own with a fourth-round stoppage of Chan Sung Jung. And while Aljamain Sterling may not have silenced all of his critics, his split-decision win over Petr Yan to defend his bantamweight belt likely will shift his focus to a different opponent.

So who’s next for Chimaev? White had said Colby Covington was on deck if Chimaev won. Is that the right fight to make?

And while Yan believes he deserved the decision and wants a third bout against Sterling, who won the title when Yan was disqualified for an illegal knee on March 6, 2021, would the UFC be interested in the trilogy?

And what about Volkanovski?

Here’s who should be next — with a wild card — for those winners, as well as for Mackenzie Dern, who defeated Tecia Torres, by split decision.

Alexander Volkanovski, featherweight champion

Who should be next: Max Holloway

This is a no-brainer. The trilogy fight between these two was supposed to happen at this event, but Holloway had to deal with a lingering injury. He was actually cleared in time to fight on Saturday, but the UFC had already moved on by that time with Jung as his replacement. Volkanovski is the champ — there is nothing to debate there. But because of how close his two victories were over Holloway, there’s always been a demand for them to complete the trilogy. Holloway has been something of a thorn in the champ’s side. Volkanovski hasn’t been able to move past him. A third win would obviously allow him to do that. And if Volkanovski can make a relatively quick turnaround, I believe it will happen in August.

Wild card: Henry Cejudo

I’m almost kidding. It’s not gonna happen. There is no other fight for Volkanovski, though. No other featherweight contender who might be worthy. No room for…