The fights we would like to see after UFC 162
by Tommy Strong @Strong_tea
It's been over a week now since UFC 162, and I'm still pinching myself in case its a dream! Did Anderson Silva really get knocked out?!?! Is Chris Weidman really the new UFC Middleweight champion? As it happens it's all true.
Silva vs Weidman
As much as I was completely wrong about the outcome of the fight, there seems to be a very fine line between a genius and a dope! Silva has shown in many cases and especially in his light heavyweight bout with Stephan Bonnar putting his hands down, leaning up against the fence inviting Bonnar to land a punch or take him down, only seconds later to find himself knocked out. This was the genius of Silva and lauded by the fans and media.
Doing the same against Weidman and getting caught and knocked out we all call into question what the heck he was playing at!! Taking nothing away from Weidman as he took advantage of the opportunity given to him by Silva and become the first fighter to ever knock out Silva and put an end to his 7 years as UFC middleweight champion.
Where next for both fighters? Verdict: Rematch!
Even though at the time Silva said he isn't interested in a re-match with Weidman, I think money will talk. Now it has been confirmed we will get to see it. I hope for one it actually happens and nothing changes this between now and December, though the massive downfall of this happening is the title being on hold for so long. As if Silva wins the rematch, there is no doubt the Trilogy will happen, leaving the belt on hold between 2 fighters for another year at least.
If this wasn't to happen, there is only one fighter at the moment worthy of a title shot. If you like it or not Vitor Belfort has steamrolled Bisping & Luke Rockhold by devastating knock out to earn that title shot. With Belfort on TRT the fight would either have to take place in Brazil (which wouldn't be likely) or we will get the see the 'real' Belfort in Vegas without having the helping hand of TRT.
Silva hmmmmmm.. Without a rematch, I think a new challenge up at light heavyweight to take on Rashad Evans.
Frankie Def Oliveira
After three straight losses , even though some of the very questionable, Frankie Edgar went into Saturday nights fight with Oliveira feeling the pressure to get back into the winning circle. Putting on a very impressive performance and beating a very game and solid Oliveira via unanimous decision (30-27 x2 29-28) .This was the first time since 2010 that Edgar has be in a 3 round fight, and proved once again why he is so feared.
Where next for both fighters?
Winner: Frankie Edgar vs Cub Swanson
I feel after his loss to Aldo he still needs one or possibly two more fights, to get himself back fighting for the title. With both fighters at the top of their game and with both fighters love a good tear up my match up would be Cub Swanson!
Loser: Charles Oliveira vs loser of Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway
Having lost his last two fights, Oliveira needs to bounce back with a win. Having fought Cub Swanson and Frankie Edgar back to back, I think he'll be given a more winnable fight to get back to winning ways. A fight with either Conor McGregor or Max Holloway could suit the young fighter!
Tim Kennedy Def Roger Gracie:
Someone give me back 15 minutes of my life after having to watch this fight!! Both making their UFC middleweight debuts since signing from Strikeforce.I'll cut this short to say you and me time from what was a low point of the night! Tim Kennedy def Roger Gracie (30-27 x 2 29-28)
Winner: Tim Kennedy vs Alan Belcher.
Tim Kennedy got himself the win on Saturday night, but what proved to be over a limited Roger Gracie. I don't see Kennedy fighting for any title soon though he might prove a stern test for a few middleweight fighters. I would like to see Kennedy prove he's a better fighter than this, and test himself.
I really like the idea of Luke Barnett next for Kennedy , though maybe a little to soon for the Ultimate Fighter contestant. Therefore I put forward to you Alan Belcher, yes he's on a two fight losing streak, though I think Belcher is ranked above Kennedy and would make for a good fight!
Loser: Roger Gracie vs Rousimar Palhares
Whenever you hear the name Gracie I tend to get excited, though it might only be me that isn't excited by the prospect of Roger Gracie? So, what next for Roger, Anderson Silva? Nah, not a chance folks, though a fight vs Rousimar Palhares who is coming of losses to Alan Belcher and Hector Lombard , and with a great ground game Palhares could make for the perfect opponent.
Mark Munoz Def Tim Boestch:
Was great to see Mark Munoz back inside the octagon and a devastating defeat to the hands of now UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Having to deal with depression, and piling on the weight ballooning to 260lbs. Munoz has worked very hard to get himself back into shape and it proved Saturday night it has all paid off.With a dismantling display over Boestch , Munoz looked very impressive dominating Boestch and bullying him to a unanimous decision (30-26,30-27,29-28) all in favour of a Munoz win.
Winner: Mark Munoz vs Michael Bisping
With Munoz official ranked 6th and Bisping 4th it makes sense to make the fight happen when/if the UFC return to Bisping's home town of Manchester in October. This would make the perfect main event and push one of them nearer the title shot.
Loser: Boestch vs Luke Rockhold
Since making his middleweight debut back in 2011 , Tim Boestch went onto a 4 fight winning streak with impressive wins of Kendall Grove, Nick Ring, Okami & beating Hector Lombard who hadn't lost for 5 years!
Having lost to Costa Philippou and now Mark Munoz , he will have to work his way back up the rankings and back nearer that title shot. I really like the match up of Luke Rockhold, who himself coming off a KO defeat to Vitor Belfort.
Cub Swanson Def Dennis Siver (Fight of The Night)
This fight wasn't to be missed, and it didn't fail to deliver! Cub always comes into the octagon with one thing in his mind! That's to finish his opponent. And more often than that he does just that! Having KO/TKO'd 4 of his last 5 opponents in his 5 fight win streak Cub is nearing the title shot he has no doubt deserved.Having to endure an early onslaught from the much bigger Siver , both men went toe to toe for the first two rounds. Then in the third round Swanson came out stronger to finish Siver via TKO.
Winner: Cub Swanson vs Frankie 'The Answer' Edgar
I've always wanted to see this match up and now it makes perfect sense to me! 'The Answer' is Frankie Edgar
Loser: Dennis Siver vs Winner of ( Dustin Poirier vs Erik Koch)
Despite losing to Cub, Siver is still one of the best fighters in the Featherweight division. Being (2/1) since moving down to featherweight we still haven't seen the best of Siver.
With a lot of top ranked fighters already due to fight, this one was a little harder to choose for Siver. Nik Lentz would seem a obvious choice but having a three fight winning streak I don't see this fight happening?
Maybe fighting the loser of Guida v Mendes would make sense. But I'm going for the following! The Winner of Dustin Poirier vs Erik Koch to be his next opponent.
Other entries.... because he was our TUF Smashes champion
Norman Parke Def Kazuki Tokudome
The ultimate fighter winner Norman Parke put on a great performance in his official UFC debut beating Tokudome via unanimous decision (30-27 x2 29-28) I expect a step up in class for the norther Irishman.Verdict: Parke vs Winner of (Myles Jury v Mike Ricci)
This has been one of my hardest picks, My head would like Norman in with more competitive fighter , and my heart would like the UFC to take their time with Norman and build him up , giving him more of a chance that some of the British fighters we have seen lately. So in that case I'm going with my head and picking the winner of the up and coming bout between Myles Jury and Mike Ricci.
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