Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will square off Saturday night in the main event of UFC on Fox 14 in Stockholm. It’s a must-watch card—not just because it’s free if you own a TV, but because there’s a lot on the line for both fighte…
Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will square off Saturday night in the main event of UFC on Fox 14 in Stockholm. It’s a must-watch card—not just because it’s free if you own a TV, but because there’s a lot on the line for both fighters.
Most notably, the winner will face Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title.
For Gustafsson, that means a rematch of his bout with Jones in September 2013, when he challenged Jones for five rounds in a way no fighter had before with the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on the line.
While Jones came out on top, there was plenty of debate as to whether Gustafsson deserved better.
Jones has been rather dismissive of Gustafsson‘s rematch pleas, but he may be unable to ignore the Swedish fighter for long if he proves his worth against Johnson, as B/R’s Steven Rondina explains:
Jon Jones does not like Alexander Gustafsson, and he has almost reveled in leaving him twisting in the wind in regards to a title shot. The only thing Gustafsson can do to combat that? Leave no doubt that he is still the greatest threat to Jones’ belt. …
If Gustafsson can get through this fight unscathed, it will cement his place as both an elite talent and the top contender at 205 pounds. If there is any level of doubt, however, and should another fighter such as Rashad Evans or Phil Davis put on a particularly strong performance in the meantime, expect Jones to try and once again take a pass on a rematch.
Saturday’s event will take place at Stockholm’s Tele2 Arena, which Rondinapoints out is the second-largest venue in UFC history, behind only Toronto’s Rogers Centre. It will be a huge home crowd for Gustafsson, who can’t afford to lose.
This is his chance to remind UFC fans that he—not Daniel Cormier—is Jones’ greatest challenger.
[A]n impressive performance will help [Gustafsson] win the hearts of those who this month felt let down by [Daniel] Cormier (for his defeat) and Jones (for his failed drugs test).
For Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, meanwhile, Saturday marks his first bout since being suspended by UFC in September amid allegations of domestic violence. UFC reinstated him in November after the civil case was dismissed. Since 2009, three women have accused Johnson of domestic violence (per Yahoo Sports).
Prior to his suspension, Johnson was in the midst of a resurgence at 205 pounds. Since moving up from 170 pounds to the light heavyweight division in 2012, he has gone 7-0.
“Johnson can punch and kick through a mountainside if it means he’ll get to the belt,” writes B/R’s Scott Harris. “He’s new to this level of competition, but far from unprepared. His power sees to that.”
If Johnson can defeat Gustafsson on Saturday, it would make an enormous statement. Even giving the Swede a run for his money would be a big step toward establishing his legitimacy.
If Gustafsson takes care of business? Jones better take notice.
Dave Herman has been released from jail, but the events of the last few days still have him emotional.
The former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter was hit with a taser and arrested following a dispute with police outside his car at an Indiana gas station early Tuesday morning. Herman was arraigned Wednesday and released on $7,500 bail later that night. His pre-trial hearing will be in March.
The heavyweight competitor, who last fought for Titan FC, is facing three felony charges and a misdemeanor. Herman is being charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, battery against law enforcement, neglect of a dependent and resisting law enforcement. The latter is the misdemeanor.
Herman’s wife Madeleine captured video of the arrest and posted it online. It seemed to contradict some of what was in the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department incident report. The document said Herman was “aggressive” toward police. But in the video, Herman got out of the vehicle with his hands up, asking the officers for identification. Madeleine told MMAFighting.com she started recording with her iPad when cops pulled guns on Herman.
When Herman didn’t comply with the officers’ demands to get on his knees and put his hands on his head, they threatened him with a taser. Herman still failed to comply and he was tasered and then arrested.
“I was trying to communicate with the officers,” Herman told MMAFighting.com on Thursday. “They were screaming and threatening my life. There’s no reason I should be treated like a dog. I’m a human being. I’m a person. I have feelings, too. I have a right to know who these people are.”
Herman was in the car with Madeleine and their 2-1/2 month old son Leo. They were heading home to Fort Wayne, Ind., from their friends house after 1 a.m. on I-69. Their vehicle experienced some issues, a recurring problem with the alternator, and Herman put the hazards on while they attempted to find a safe, well-lit area to pull into.
The police report said that the Hermans’ car was going at a high rate of speed without the headlights and taillights on. The police cruiser began following them. Herman admittedly did not pull over right away, preferring to find that well-lit area. About two or three miles later, Herman pulled the vehicle into a gas station.
Herman said he learned in driver’s ed that the correct procedure when being pulled over by cops was to find a safe, well-lit area and that’s all he was trying to do.
“I literally did it by the book,” Herman said. “Like, that’s what you’re supposed to do and I’m being charged.”
Herman said he got out of his car to address the officers thinking they would be able to assist him with his car trouble.
“I did not feel like I was aggressive at all,” Herman said. “I was pleading. I said please identify yourself to me. Who are you? I stepped out of my vehicle literally thinking these people are going to help me and this is what I got.”
The 30-year-old said he never assumes that anyone pulling him over is an actual police officer, despite the apparent police cruiser and badge. Herman said that he just read about a man impersonating a police officer in Atlantic City, N.J., last week.
“If you assume, then you make an ass out of you and me,” Herman said. “You can assume a lot of things, but you can’t know for sure. Anyone can buy a car. Anyone can buy an outfit. Anyone can buy a nametag. Anyone can buy a toy fake badge. I dressed up as a cop for Halloween one time, it was awesome.”
Herman said he was also fearing for the safety of his infant son and wife. He said that everything the officers did is what he is being charged for.
“They verbally assaulted me, they physically assaulted me and they endangered the life of my wife and child,” Herman said. “Those are the charges they’re saying I did. All those things they did to me and then they charged me with them. I want them dropped and I don’t even think these people should be police officers. It’s ridiculous. You should automatically be fired for something like that. But I’m sure they’ll just get a slap on the wrist and maybe a week or two paid vacation.”
Herman is due back in court in March. He doesn’t have a lawyer yet, but said the response online has been “overwhelming” in a positive way since Madeline posted the video and they have set up a gofundme page for legal fees. Herman believes part of the incident has to do with him being a 6-foot-5 man. But he doesn’t excuse the officers for their actions.
“I’ve never been involved with police where it’s been a calm environment,” Herman said. “There’s flashlights in your face — ‘Who are you? What are you doing?’ It’s not a calm environment. It’s a very threatening, interrogational environment. Is it protect and serve or harass and assault?”
Dave Herman has been released from jail, but the events of the last few days still have him emotional.
The former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter was hit with a taser and arrested following a dispute with police outside his car at an Indiana gas station early Tuesday morning. Herman was arraigned Wednesday and released on $7,500 bail later that night. His pre-trial hearing will be in March.
The heavyweight competitor, who last fought for Titan FC, is facing three felony charges and a misdemeanor. Herman is being charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, battery against law enforcement, neglect of a dependent and resisting law enforcement. The latter is the misdemeanor.
Herman’s wife Madeleine captured video of the arrest and posted it online. It seemed to contradict some of what was in the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department incident report. The document said Herman was “aggressive” toward police. But in the video, Herman got out of the vehicle with his hands up, asking the officers for identification. Madeleine told MMAFighting.com she started recording with her iPad when cops pulled guns on Herman.
When Herman didn’t comply with the officers’ demands to get on his knees and put his hands on his head, they threatened him with a taser. Herman still failed to comply and he was tasered and then arrested.
“I was trying to communicate with the officers,” Herman told MMAFighting.com on Thursday. “They were screaming and threatening my life. There’s no reason I should be treated like a dog. I’m a human being. I’m a person. I have feelings, too. I have a right to know who these people are.”
Herman was in the car with Madeleine and their 2-1/2 month old son Leo. They were heading home to Fort Wayne, Ind., from their friends house after 1 a.m. on I-69. Their vehicle experienced some issues, a recurring problem with the alternator, and Herman put the hazards on while they attempted to find a safe, well-lit area to pull into.
The police report said that the Hermans’ car was going at a high rate of speed without the headlights and taillights on. The police cruiser began following them. Herman admittedly did not pull over right away, preferring to find that well-lit area. About two or three miles later, Herman pulled the vehicle into a gas station.
Herman said he learned in driver’s ed that the correct procedure when being pulled over by cops was to find a safe, well-lit area and that’s all he was trying to do.
“I literally did it by the book,” Herman said. “Like, that’s what you’re supposed to do and I’m being charged.”
Herman said he got out of his car to address the officers thinking they would be able to assist him with his car trouble.
“I did not feel like I was aggressive at all,” Herman said. “I was pleading. I said please identify yourself to me. Who are you? I stepped out of my vehicle literally thinking these people are going to help me and this is what I got.”
The 30-year-old said he never assumes that anyone pulling him over is an actual police officer, despite the apparent police cruiser and badge. Herman said that he just read about a man impersonating a police officer in Atlantic City, N.J., last week.
“If you assume, then you make an ass out of you and me,” Herman said. “You can assume a lot of things, but you can’t know for sure. Anyone can buy a car. Anyone can buy an outfit. Anyone can buy a nametag. Anyone can buy a toy fake badge. I dressed up as a cop for Halloween one time, it was awesome.”
Herman said he was also fearing for the safety of his infant son and wife. He said that everything the officers did is what he is being charged for.
“They verbally assaulted me, they physically assaulted me and they endangered the life of my wife and child,” Herman said. “Those are the charges they’re saying I did. All those things they did to me and then they charged me with them. I want them dropped and I don’t even think these people should be police officers. It’s ridiculous. You should automatically be fired for something like that. But I’m sure they’ll just get a slap on the wrist and maybe a week or two paid vacation.”
Herman is due back in court in March. He doesn’t have a lawyer yet, but said the response online has been “overwhelming” in a positive way since Madeline posted the video and they have set up a gofundme page for legal fees. Herman believes part of the incident has to do with him being a 6-foot-5 man. But he doesn’t excuse the officers for their actions.
“I’ve never been involved with police where it’s been a calm environment,” Herman said. “There’s flashlights in your face — ‘Who are you? What are you doing?’ It’s not a calm environment. It’s a very threatening, interrogational environment. Is it protect and serve or harass and assault?”
We’re about 18 months into the new era of middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Ever since that historic night inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena at UFC 162, the world has begun familiarizing itself with this new breed. He’s the All-American and the b…
We’re about 18 months into the new era of middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Ever since that historic night inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena at UFC 162, the world has begun familiarizing itself with this new breed. He’s the All-American and the best fighter at 185 pounds.
Two men have tried to pry the belt from his grasp. Two men have failed. A third man gets his chance at UFC 184 on Feb. 28, but whether VitorBelfort has what it takes to dethrone the king is anybody’s guess.
Whether any of the current crop of middleweight contenders has a legitimate chance is a viable question to ask, too. But let’s not kid ourselves: Some guys holster tools to deny Weidman an extended winning streak. Scroll on as we rank each contender based on how he matches up against the middleweight czar.
(Note: Only those with subjectively reasonable chances will be listed. Those who are not, by this definition, do not stand a chance.)
While the broad shoulders of former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson take center stage in Stockholm, Sweden, up-and-coming UFC welterweight Nico Musoke demands your attention.
With three wins in his first four fights, the S…
While the broad shoulders of former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson take center stage in Stockholm, Sweden, up-and-coming UFC welterweight Nico Musoke demands your attention.
With three wins in his first four fights, the Stockholm native will look to make it back-to-back victories when he faces Albert “Einstein” Tumenov at UFC on Fox 14. After first testing the waters against veteran AlessioSakara at 185 pounds, Musoke has settled into his new weight class, notching decision wins over The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Season 2 alum ViscardiAndrade and well-rounded Russian fighter Alexander Yakovlev.
Musoke will now turn his attention to Yakovlev‘s teammateTumenov. The 23-year-old prospect trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe in Fairfield, New Jersey, and has won his last two fights by way of first-round knockout.
Einstein began his professional mixed martial arts career at 18 years old, piling up 12 wins, compared to just one loss, in Russia. Tumenov‘s best weapon is his power.
Leading up to his UFC stint, Tumenov let the bodies hit the floor, taking out five men in a row, all in the first round. His win over Roman Mironenko is a fine example of his masterful handiwork.
In the Mironenkofight, Tumenov was on the offensive, and defensive, catching a kick and lighting up his opponent with head kicks. His most effective punch, the left uppercut, separated Mironenko from his senses and spelled the beginning of the end for Tumenov‘s challenger.
Even more impressive, in his last win on the independent circuit, Einstein fought Swiss striker YasubeyEnomoto. Throughout the first three minutes of the fight, he landed his trademark left uppercut three times, including one that dropped Enomoto.
Though he kept it competitive, Enomoto got clipped by a left hook after his leg kick was caught in an exchange by Tumenov late in the first round and was finished off by a left head kick.
Tumenov‘s UFC career has started quite the same way as his career in the lower ranks, save a tough split-decision loss in his debut to IldemarAlcantara in February. Octagon opponents Anthony Lapsley and Matt Dwyer have felt the wrath of both his fists and his kicks.
Musoke will need to be very wary of the Russian’s top-notch striking ability.
“I will find a win way to win,” Musoketold MMA Crazy TV. “I’m more versatile, I find more ways to win. I’m ready to bang, I’m ready for whatever.”
The Swede proved that in his submission win over potent Italian striker Sakara, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Andrade and Yakovlev. Musoke‘s chin has been tested multiple times early in his UFC run.
Musoke weathered an early storm by Andrade, after the fight looked like it was well over following an overhand right by the Brazilian, to take the last two rounds by applying constant pressure. He took the same approach in his bout against the sambo master, claiming all three rounds while stifling his opponent’s attack.
It’s clear that the 28-year-old Musoke has his hands full here. No matter what type of stand-up game plan Musoke employs, Tumenov will surely have an answer for it.
While the Swede’s striking is solid, it’s not nearly on the same level as the Russian’s. Musoke is better off making this fight ugly and utilizing his clinch work to secure a takedown (think Jon Fitch or Rick Story against ThiagoAlves).
Musoke is smart; he won’t play right into his opponent’s advantage. He hasn’t lost a bout due to strikes in his 17-fight career. Engaging in a ground war may be the easiest path to a finish for Musoke. However, it still won’t be easy.
If he’s able to pull off a TKO or submission victory, it would mark the first time Tumenov has been finished in his career. This fight can go either one of two ways: It can end early or end up a grappling match.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Spike TV is already the home of Bellator MMA and Glory kickboxing. Now, it’s about to add the sweet science as well.
The cable network is set to announce Thursday that it has inked a deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions organization. The first of several Spike TV boxing cards is scheduled for March 13 and will feature a main event between former welterweight champion Andre Berto and perennial contender Josesito Lopez.
Spike TV president Kevin Kay told MMAFighting.com that the presence of Premier Boxing Champions will allow the network to rebrand its Friday nights solely for combat sports. Bellator, Glory and Premier Boxing Champions will all keep their individuality, but they will be packaged together on Spike.
“You’ll have a boxing event on Friday nights once a month,” Kay said. “You’ll have a Bellator event on Friday nights once a month. You’ll have a Glory event pretty much every month — not quite every month, but almost every month. And then in the weeks off you’ll have shoulder programming that supports all of that. So you’ll know that Friday nights on Spike is combat sports.”
The March 13 Premier Boxing Champions card does not have a venue announced yet. The co-main event will be between Shawn Porter and Roberto Garcia. Spike and PBC are putting a premium on exciting fights between boxers with aggressive styles.
The Spike deal, along with the one Haymon signed with NBC last week, is a time buy, according to a report by ESPN.com. Haymon, a top advisor and manager who lists Floyd Mayweather among his clients, has purchased the airtime to showcase his new Premier Boxing Champions series in his quest to change the evolution of the sport. In recent years, high-level boxing has only been found on pay-per-view and premium channels like HBO and Showtime.
Kay, a huge boxing fan who calls Muhammad Ali one of his biggest heroes, is all for it.
“I feel like boxing has been subjugated to pay TV for so long and presented in the same way for too long,” Kay said. “To give fans free, live fights on a cable network on a regular basis in a multi-year commitment is the opportunity. It’s what’s been missing from the mix — and big-name fights, competitive fights.”
Kay promises that Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV will look nothing like boxing elsewhere. The production will change, the presentation will be different and the announce team will include “fresh faces.”
“I watch [boxing] and I’m like, ‘Oh man it looks like it’s 1975,'” Kay said. “That presentation is the same; those commentators are the same; the red, white and blue is the same. This partnership is about innovating and trying to create something different. We’re trying to bring young guys back to the sport who have been missing for a long time.”
Part of that plan includes lumping PBC together with Bellator and Glory to make Spike TV the home for combat sports on cable, Kay hopes. Kay said Spike had been talking to boxing promotions for the last two years, but Haymon’s group bought into their ideas and was open to holding fights on Friday nights.
“I think we were able to convince these guys this is the right place, because it will all be on Fridays and it gives us the opportunity to brand it and make it a destination,” Kay said. “And that’s great. I do believe that we’ve proven that on the mixed martial arts side and on the kickboxing side that we have a big commitment to it, so we’re invested in combat sports. And this just takes it to another level.”
Berto believes being on Spike TV represents a move back to the glory days of boxing when the best fighters were on television and also a step in the right direction for the growth of the sport.
“We’re in a position right now that a million people can mistakenly watch us fight,” Berto said. “Just imagine if it’s promoted the right way and marketed the right way what type of numbers we’ll pull. With us performing and putting on a show, just imagine what numbers could come out.
“As soon as I heard about it, I was like, ‘Oh sh*t, that’s perfect — Spike TV.’ Anybody that’s in the MMA world, I’d say tune into it, it’ll just be an easy transition.”
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Spike TV is already the home of Bellator MMA and Glory kickboxing. Now, it’s about to add the sweet science as well.
The cable network is set to announce Thursday that it has inked a deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions organization. The first of several Spike TV boxing cards is scheduled for March 13 and will feature a main event between former welterweight champion Andre Berto and perennial contender Josesito Lopez.
Spike TV president Kevin Kay told MMAFighting.com that the presence of Premier Boxing Champions will allow the network to rebrand its Friday nights solely for combat sports. Bellator, Glory and Premier Boxing Champions will all keep their individuality, but they will be packaged together on Spike.
“You’ll have a boxing event on Friday nights once a month,” Kay said. “You’ll have a Bellator event on Friday nights once a month. You’ll have a Glory event pretty much every month — not quite every month, but almost every month. And then in the weeks off you’ll have shoulder programming that supports all of that. So you’ll know that Friday nights on Spike is combat sports.”
The March 13 Premier Boxing Champions card does not have a venue announced yet. The co-main event will be between Shawn Porter and Roberto Garcia. Spike and PBC are putting a premium on exciting fights between boxers with aggressive styles.
The Spike deal, along with the one Haymon signed with NBC last week, is a time buy, according to a report by ESPN.com. Haymon, a top advisor and manager who lists Floyd Mayweather among his clients, has purchased the airtime to showcase his new Premier Boxing Champions series in his quest to change the evolution of the sport. In recent years, high-level boxing has only been found on pay-per-view and premium channels like HBO and Showtime.
Kay, a huge boxing fan who calls Muhammad Ali one of his biggest heroes, is all for it.
“I feel like boxing has been subjugated to pay TV for so long and presented in the same way for too long,” Kay said. “To give fans free, live fights on a cable network on a regular basis in a multi-year commitment is the opportunity. It’s what’s been missing from the mix — and big-name fights, competitive fights.”
Kay promises that Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV will look nothing like boxing elsewhere. The production will change, the presentation will be different and the announce team will include “fresh faces.”
“I watch [boxing] and I’m like, ‘Oh man it looks like it’s 1975,'” Kay said. “That presentation is the same; those commentators are the same; the red, white and blue is the same. This partnership is about innovating and trying to create something different. We’re trying to bring young guys back to the sport who have been missing for a long time.”
Part of that plan includes lumping PBC together with Bellator and Glory to make Spike TV the home for combat sports on cable, Kay hopes. Kay said Spike had been talking to boxing promotions for the last two years, but Haymon’s group bought into their ideas and was open to holding fights on Friday nights.
“I think we were able to convince these guys this is the right place, because it will all be on Fridays and it gives us the opportunity to brand it and make it a destination,” Kay said. “And that’s great. I do believe that we’ve proven that on the mixed martial arts side and on the kickboxing side that we have a big commitment to it, so we’re invested in combat sports. And this just takes it to another level.”
Berto believes being on Spike TV represents a move back to the glory days of boxing when the best fighters were on television and also a step in the right direction for the growth of the sport.
“We’re in a position right now that a million people can mistakenly watch us fight,” Berto said. “Just imagine if it’s promoted the right way and marketed the right way what type of numbers we’ll pull. With us performing and putting on a show, just imagine what numbers could come out.
“As soon as I heard about it, I was like, ‘Oh sh*t, that’s perfect — Spike TV.’ Anybody that’s in the MMA world, I’d say tune into it, it’ll just be an easy transition.”
The UFC’s welterweight division finds itself in a sudden state of disarray. With Johny Hendricks taking a fight with Matt Brown at UFC 185, the No.1 contendership is up for grabs at welterweight.
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler emerged victorious …
The UFC’s welterweight division finds itself in a sudden state of disarray. With Johny Hendricks taking a fight with Matt Brown at UFC 185, the No.1 contendership is up for grabs at welterweight.
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler emerged victorious at UFC 181 in December against Johny Hendricks, taking the title in Hendricks’ first attempt at defending it. Lawler‘s long quest to the UFC title started when he was a teenager, and his win against Hendricks was the culmination of a 13-year journey. The two fought earlier in the year for the vacant welterweight championship after it was vacated by long-reigning welterweight king, Georges St-Pierre, with Hendricks becoming GSP’s successor.
Waiting for the winner of the UFC 181 main event was Rory MacDonald, who was fresh off his third-round TKO of TarecSaffiedine in October, and winner of three straight fights. He had turned a corner since his November 2013 loss to Lawler at UFC 167, and he was the division’s top contender.
Then Lawler takes the title from Hendricks at UFC 181 and UFC President Dana White told reporters on Jan. 1 that a trilogy fight between Hendricks and Lawler “makes sense” and would be the promotion’s next move, leaving MacDonald to fend off yet another welterweight killer to maintain his position as the division’s next-next contender.
“The Red King,” as MacDonald is now nicknamed, took a fight with the always-dangerous Hector Lombard, who is 3-0 at welterweight in the UFC with wins over Nate Marquardt, Jake Shields and Josh Burkman.
While this shifting was going on at the top of the mountain, Matt Brown was left without an opponent for the UFC’s Feb. 14 Fight Night event in Broomfield, CO, when TarecSaffiedine pulled out with an injury. A fight already booked for that night, Brandon Thatch vs. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson was bumped up to five-round status and Matt Brown was moved off the card.
The Immortal was shifted to UFC 185 in Dallas, and will now take on Johny Hendricks. The former UFC welterweight champion is forgoing his rematch to stay active, as his manager told MMAFighting.com that Lawler wouldn’t be ready fight until this Summer, and Hendricks didn’t want to stay out of action that long.
With Hendricks facing Brown on March 14, and MacDonald taking on Lombard just a month later on April 25, the welterweight title shot is hanging in the balance. Whichever fighter emerges victorious most impressively will move on to face Lawler this Summer.
There are a number of possible scenarios and outcomes to this welterweight melee. The first of which would be that both Hendricks and MacDonald are victorious in their respective fights. If MacDonald puts on more of an inspiring performance than “Bigg Rigg,” it’s very possible that he could get the fight he has earned for the UFC welterweight title.
Another possible outcome would be if one of the two was to win and the other one to lose. In that case, if MacDonald wins against Lombard and Hendricks loses to Brown, MacDonald would definitely get the title shot against Lawler.
The other option to consider would be both Hendricks and MacDonald losing in their upcoming fights. In that case you could give the title shot to whomever defeated them most impressively. There is also the fight between the surging Kelvin Gastelum and TyronWoodley at UFC 183. If Gastelum defeats Woodley, it would be his sixth win in the UFC since winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 in his official Octagon debut against Uriah Hall in April 2013.
Lastly there is the aforementioned Thatch vs. Wonderboy fight on February 14. The winner there won’t be in the running for the next title shot, but they could catapult themselves farther upward into a fight with a winner of one of the other big welterweight showdowns. Not to mention that No. 4-ranked Carlos Conditwill be returning to action in 2015 from a knee injury.
The next welterweight challenger will most likely be Johny Hendricks, or Rory MacDonald, but there are a number of other welterweights who could break through the pack with impressive wins in the upcoming series of match-ups. With the champion out, we are entering into a sort of playoff period for welterweight division.
Rory MacDonald has the opportunity to take what was taken from him, his shot he has earned at the UFC welterweight title. For Johny Hendricks, he has a chance to prove that he deserves a third fight with Lawler, and a chance to definitively end their trilogy.
Whichever man winds up holding the UFC welterweight title when we enter the second half of 2015 will then have the prospect of facing off with the other king of the welterweight division, if he should decide to reclaim his throne.
Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will square off Saturday night in the main event of UFC on Fox 14 in Stockholm. It’s a must-watch card—not just because it’s free if you own a TV, but because there’s a lot on the line for both fighters. 
