After every event, we at Bloody Elbow like to put on our matchmaker caps and predict what the UFC could have lined up for the winners and losers of the event. UFC Fight Night: OSP vs. Teixeira was an event with many important divisional fights that resulted in fighters shooting up the rankings while other fell off. With that in mind, here are the fights to make for the main card fighters:
Glover Teixeira made a statement Saturday night by taking the fight to OSP, putting him unconscious in the 3rd round with a rear-naked choke. With the victory Teixeira keeps his ranking at the top of the Light Heavyweight division. Another fighter at the top of the division that needs a game dance partner before getting another title shot is Anthony Johnson. Johnson first has to get past Jimi Manuwa, which is very likely, but crazier things have happened, so a fight against the winner of that fight at UFC 191 would be the best step for Teixeira.
Ovince Saint Preux was unable to continue his climb up the Light Heavyweight rankings. The win would have been the biggest of his career, but now with the setback will likely need a recovery fight before challenging another top opponent. This could be considered a cop-out, but I think the loser of Johnson/Manuwa should be the next fight for OSP, and I assume Manuwa will get the loss. It would be a nice bounce back for either fighter after a loss against top contenders, and could end up being a spectacular stand-up fight.
Michael Johnson was unfortunately on the wrong side of a terrible split decision where he clearly won two of three rounds at the least. The UFC will likely look at the fight as a win for Johnson, which means he should be lined up with a top Lightweight with championship experience. Anthony Pettis would be a good match-up stylistically as Johnson is very focused with his striking while Pettis is wild. Hopefully Pettis can stay uninjured so that this bout comes to fruition.
Beneil Dariush, despite the win, did not look like a guy who could compete with the elite of the division. If the UFC does accept the judges decision as gospel, then Dariush could find himself against another top fighter that is very well rounded. Eddie Alvarez would be a great fight for Dariush as Alvarez provides the same stylistics problems as Johnson, so Dariush would be able to prove if he is able to learn from the weaknesses he showed against Johnson.
Derek Brunson said post fight that he will be taking some time off after his win to spend time with his family. Brunson is now on a three fight winning streak, but has averaged less than two fights a year while in the UFC, which has slowed his momentum down. Hopefully his time off will be short so that a match-up with Michael Bisping could be put together. An impressive win over Alvey won’t be enough to give him a boost in the rankings, but a convincing win over Bisping has always done the trick to cracking the top of the Middleweight division.
Sam Alvey was overwhelmed and thoroughly dominated despite the somewhat early stoppage. Alvey is a great counter puncher but had a very hard time against a Top 15 opponent. He would benefit from matching up with a veteran and notable fighter in his next bout. Tim Boetsch is coming off of a 1st round knockout loss and would be aiming to get back into the Top 15 at Middleweight. A win for Alvey would be a veteran fighter on his resume, while a win for Boetsch would be a good way to get back on the winning track.
Jared Rosholt did not look impressive, but in the Heavyweight division an unimpressive win can still put you in the Top 15 of the division. Matt Mitrione is a fighter ranked just outside of the Top 10 who doesn’t have an opponent. The fight isn’t something that fans would clamor to see, but it could maybe result in a cool first round knockout?
Timothy Johnson will more than likely be cut after the performance he put on. If the UFC decides to keep him, then I can see him being used as a tune-up fight for Soa Palelei so that Palelei can get an impressive knockout win to erase his loss against Bigfoot Silva.
Amanda Nunes has two options. With an impressive stoppage win over a veteran women’s fighter, she now catapults herself to the top of the division, ranked just behind Tate and Zingano. Nunes now has a couple of options. Her first is a rematch with Zingano as the first one was highly competitive. The second option, and the option I would suggest, would be to just sit and wait to see if Rousey/Cyborg plays out and hope that if it doesn’t that she’ll be the next go-to fight.
Sara McMann looked bad in the short fight and will need an easy fight after dropping two straight. Bethe Corriea just recently lost to Rousey in embarrassing fashion and would likely want a match up with a fighter who won’t knock her out on the feet. It would be a classic wrestler vs. striker match in a fight where McMann could get back to her winning ways.
Ray Borg showed why he deserves to be ranked among the top 10 at Flyweight by overwhelming Herrera. Zach Makovsky is coming off of a loss to #1 contender John Dodson, and is currently ranked 9th in the division. A fight between the two would likely result in a very competitive grappling based fight with the winner getting a small boost up the rankings of a division where any ranked fighter can earn a title shot.
Geane Herrera earned his first loss in his UFC debut. Another man who made his UFC debut at Flyweight and had their undefeated record ruined was Willie “Whoop Ass” Gates. Both fighters have a wild style, but where smothered byexperienced grapplers. The fight would be a loser leaves town match with the winner getting a chance to show off their skills.
Other fights to make: Uriah Hall vs. Elias Theodorou, Chris Camozzi vs. Jacare Souza 3, Dustin Ortiz vs. Ian McCall and Frankie Saenz vs. Bryan Caraway.