Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for champs Alexander Volkanovski, Valentina Shevchenko after UFC 266?

Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko had no intentions of relinquishing their belts on Saturday at UFC 266.

Both entered the event with gold around their waists, and they exited the exact same way after two spectacular title-fight performances at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

In the main event, Volkanovski (23-1 MMA, 10-0 UFC) put on one of the best fights of the year against Brian Ortega (15-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC). After a thrilling affair for five rounds, the Aussie earned a unanimous decision to defend his strap for the second time and record his 20th consecutive victory overall.

Shevchenko (22-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) remained undefeated in the women’s flyweight division with her sixth consecutive defense as she dispatched of an overmatched Lauren Murphy (15-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) courtesy of a fourth-round TKO.

Both champions showed great accounts of themselves in their respective contests, and they’ll try to keep the ball rolling going forward.

What’s the best way to do that? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Volkanovski and Shevchenko’s next fights coming out of UFC 266.