5 biggest winners from UFC Fight Night: Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukaus

#2. Kai Kara-France – defeated Askar Askarov in UFC flyweight bout

Kai Kara-France's win over Askar Askarov may well net him a flyweight title shot.

It’s arguable that no fighter on last night’s card took as big a step towards a UFC title shot as Kai Kara-France.

‘Don’t Blink’ was already coming off the biggest win of his career – over former bantamweight king Cody Garbrandt. However, last night, he pulled off an almost more impressive victory, beating the previously undefeated Askar Askarov in a tight call from the judges.

Askarov was ranked #2 in the division, behind only champion Deiveson Figueiredo and former champion Brandon Moreno. So it's difficult not to believe Kara-France should be next in line for a shot at the gold.

Could the New Zealand native pull off a title win? Based on last night, it’s definitely possible. Not only did he use his trademark heavy strikes to hurt Askarov on multiple occasions, but he also fought out of some terrible positions in the first round. Eventually, he wore ‘The Bullet’ out down the stretch.

Given that Askarov took Moreno to a draw in their fight a couple of years ago, at the worst, Kara-France is definitely on that level. Tht means he’d have to be given a chance against the winner of the fourth Figueiredo-Moreno fight later this year.

There’s now no disputing that ‘Don’t Blink’ has come a long way since his TUF 24 stint. So to see him with the gold in the future wouldn’t be a shock.

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#1. Curtis Blaydes – defeated Chris Daukaus in UFC heavyweight bout

Curtis Blaydes, who knocked out Chris Daukaus, was last night's biggest winner.

The biggest winner from last night’s event was undoubtedly Curtis Blaydes. He turned the lights out on Chris Daukaus in the main event in truly devastating fashion.

Had Blaydes lost this fight, he probably would’ve been knocked out of UFC heavyweight title contention for good. With the win, though, not only will he likely regain the momentum he lost when he fell to Derrick Lewis last year, but he might also find himself in an interim title bout next time out.

‘Razor’ had built his reputation on the back of his wrestling skills, becoming the most prolific takedown artist in the history of the heavyweight division. Last night, though, he didn’t shoot for one takedown, instead choosing to stand with Daukaus, eventually knocking him out violently.

Sure, a win is a win in the cut-throat world of the UFC. However, it’s difficult to forget the criticism Blaydes came under from Dana White for his decision wins over Alexander Volkov and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Given that he was handed a $50K bonus, it’s difficult to imagine anyone criticizing his work last night.

Given his skills, Blaydes almost certainly has the ability to defeat any heavyweight on the roster right now, particularly with champion Francis Ngannou sidelined indefinitely.

So whether it’s against Stipe Miocic or Ciryl Gane, hopefully ‘Razor’ can fight for the interim title in his next bout. Only a fool would bet against him claiming gold in the octagon for the first time.