Matchmaker's Shoes: UFC 267 edition

Lightweight: Islam Makhachev v. Beneil Dariush
If you look at the lightweight title picture, it's fairly straightforward right now. 
Dustin Poirier is fighting for the title next month. 
Justin Gaethje is facing Michael Chandler this weekend. 
Makhachev won his ninth straight this past weekend but there's another person who's put together a seven-fight win streak, most recently decisioning Tony Ferguson: Beneil Dariush.
Rather than have Makhachev wait and face the loser of Gaethje-Chandler, match him up with Dariush. This effectively means that the winner would need one more fight before fighting for the title.  


Welterweight: Khamzat Chimaev v. Edwards-Masvidal loser
I can understand wanting to rush Chimaev into a title shot at welterweight especially given Usman's dominance at the top of the 170 pack and the overall trend of striking while the iron is hot. However, although Chimaev's resume is impressive up to this point with a 10-0 record and all ten wins coming inside the distance, the one thing he lacks right now is an opponent with name value- or, at least, name value among casual UFC fans. His four Octagon wins have been against John Philips, Rhys McKee, Gerald Meerschaert and now Li Jingliang- the last two being Octagon vets but not immediately recognizable by name alone by casual fans.
However, let's say Edwards beats Masvidal next month and Chimaev-Masvidal is set for next year. If Chimaev stops Masvidal that's a notch on his belt with name value that he can parlay into a title shot.   

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