UFC 121 was nothing if it wasn’t impactful. The card didn’t just change the trajectory of the UFC; it changed MMA in general. Cain Velasquez has the potential to expand the UFC market into a new, exciting market. As the UFC breaks new ground individual fighters look at their own next steps. Some fights emerge out of the card obviously with contenders waiting in the wings and shots being all but guaranteed. On the other hand some fighters come out of UFC 121 with question marks surrounding their next step. This article outlines 7 matches that need to happen after the most important card in recent memory.
Cain Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos
This fight may be all but signed but it is still worth mention. Both fighters have bulldozed through the HW division since entering the UFC and neither has given any reason to believe they are ready to slow. This writer has called this as the most important HW fight in MMA for some time now and Velasquez’s win over Brock pulled the magnifying glass directly over himself and in turn his title run. No doubt the UFC will consider running this fight in Mexico or at least the Southwest. Velasquez and Dos Santos are two new prototypes for HW MMA, a level above their competition. Their fight is not one to be missed.
GSP/Josh Koscheck winner vs Jake Shields
Following the Shields/Kampmann fight I was convinced that Shields would be forced to fight again before getting a title shot. He looked tired and uninspired for the latter half of the fight, winning due to the inexplicable game plan of Kampmann. Alas, Dana White seems to believe the fight warrants a title shot all the same. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if White and company don’t want Shields to get tooled sooner rather than later. GSP is the favorite to come out of his feud with the belt but either coach of The Ultimate Fighter would be a serious step up for Shields. On the bright side, it will be hard for critiques to stay vocal if Shields keeps finding ways to win, especially at this level.
Tito Ortiz vs Chuck Liddell
It is hard to imagine long-time MMA fans getting excited for yet another meeting between these two considering how their previous fights have gone. Liddell seems to securely have Ortiz’s number and nothing in either mans’ recent performances leads us to believe that things between the two have changed. What has changed is their relevancy in the division. Both fighters have fallen far from grace. Chuck seems to have accepted that he may have a few fights left but a title run is likely out of the question. Ortiz on the other hand has likely not lost the illusion, at least not publicly. However, the names Liddell and Ortiz still put asses in the seats and money in the right pockets.
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Hamill deserves to move up the ladder with his win but Ortiz’s lack of success prior to this fight mitigates his progress somewhat. Little Nog might be another good choice here but one might expect him to get someone who isn’t such a strong wrestler. Matyushenko and Hamill likely wont deliver fireworks it will test both’s will and strength. Unfortunately neither man will get a big publicity boost with this fight but the top of the LHW division is booked up for months. Matt Hamill and Vladimir Matyushenko could both use this solid no frills win before taking the next step.
Diego Sanchez vs Dan Hardy
This win might have been the worst thing that could have happened to Diego Sanchez. He should really be fighting at LW as his future there is much brighter, but beating Thiago might have convinced him that he should stay at WW or at least fight in two divisions. If he insists on moving up he needs to be put in the cage with stiff competition. As for Dan Hardy, it is time to decide how real he is, no breaks for either man. Diego’s energy will test Hardy; it hard to imagine anyone putting Sanchez to sleep early and walking away without being pushed. Additionally, Sanchez would provide all the trash-talking material Dan Hardy would need to build this fight to a fever pitch. If these two men want to get back in the title picture one of them is going to have to fall further down the ranks.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs Cheick Kongo
Kongo does not deserve to move up after his last showing, constantly grabbing his opponents shorts to gain a superior position and hitting his trademark (and increasingly hard to sympathize with) low blow. Gonzaga on the other hand has gone stagnant in the middle of the ranks yet again. Both fighters seem to have trouble breaking into the next level and both fighters are still recognizable to the general public. This fight could easily be sold on a main card or better yet as a Fight Night headliner, splicing in some heavyweight action into a slot usually reserved for the smallest three weight-classes in the UFC. This is yet another case where one fighter needs to make room for the other in the UFC ranks.
Court McGee vs Sam Stout
Both fighters are coming off wins on the same card and while Sam Stout is probably the higher ranked fighter, Court McGee is likely the more recognizable fighter due to his placement on the Spike TV prelims and The Ultimate Fighter. What Court McGee gains in fighting a more experienced and possibly better fighter he gives by providing Stout with a more hyped and recognized fighter to establish (or reestablish) himself against. McGee’s stand-up would be thoroughly tested against Stout, who is much less likely to gas out than Court’s last opponent. Fans would get to see just how resilient the TUF winner really is. Stout has tons of heart and can put just about anyone through the ringer. McGee however would get to take a great step up in the rise all TUF winners must take to serious contention.
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