We started the series with the heavyweights, and now we move on to the light heavyweights. That’s right—The Beaten Path continues its “Prospects the UFC Should Sign” series.
The light heavyweight division is in need of bodies due to the small nu…
We started the series with the heavyweights, and now we move on to the light heavyweights. That’s right—The Beaten Path continues its “Prospects the UFC Should Sign” series.
The light heavyweight division is in need of bodies due to the small number of fighters in its ranks. To keep matchups fresh and provide different faces, the UFC needs to look at inking some 205-pounders.
The UFC already snagged a couple of guys off my radar recently in Corey Anderson, Antonio Carlos Jr. and Hans Stringer. That shows the company is serious about restocking the division, but it shouldn’t stop there.
So with that, we enter the world of possibilities. Here are five more light heavyweights the UFC should sign.
Another year, another edition of the notorious “5 Prospects the UFC Should Sign” series.
We as MMA fans are a little older and a little wiser. We’re getting accustomed to more and more MMA popping up in the mainstream.
It wasn’t long ago that…
Another year, another edition of the notorious “5 Prospects the UFC Should Sign” series.
We as MMA fans are a little older and a little wiser. We’re getting accustomed to more and more MMA popping up in the mainstream.
It wasn’t long ago that the UFC and Bellator were seemingly the only options on TV. Now, in addition to the UFC being featured on the Fox networks and Bellator on Spike TV, CBS Sports has Titan Fighting Championship and NBC Sports has World Series of Fighting, among other things.
First, we take a look at the heavyweights. It’s a division that has brought in and passed out talent on a large scale. In the last year, top prospects such as Konstantin Erokhin, Josh Copeland and RuslanMagomedov have all inked deals with the company, helping bring some new blood to the ranks.
For now, we focus on five more guys the UFC can bring in. They are a mix of vets and young guns, but all should be considered prospective fighters for the world’s largest MMA promotion.
Boston was home to UFC Fight Night 59 on Sunday night, and it was full of great fights. The main event featured Dennis Siver and Conor McGregor in a pivotal featherweight feature.
Siver was the heavy underdog by most, as McGregor is one of the most hyp…
Boston was home to UFC Fight Night 59 on Sunday night, and it was full of great fights. The main event featured Dennis Siver and ConorMcGregor in a pivotal featherweight feature.
Siver was the heavy underdog by most, as McGregor is one of the most hyped fighters in the world right now. Unfortunately for the German, he was just another stop on McGregor‘s hype train continuance, as he was knocked out in the second round.
What’s next for Siver after this tough loss to the Irish sensation? Let’s look at three fights Siver could take next.
Dennis Bermudez
Like Siver, Dennis Bermudez is coming off a loss in his latest fight. Ricardo Lamas finished Bermudez, momentarily halting the great progress Bermudez made in the Octagon.
He’s in a very similar position as Siver. Both are top fighters in the featherweight division coming off a loss who are in need of a credible opponent.
The title picture is still in sight for both men. The winner of the potential matchup would definitely get back in contention.
Jeremy Stephens
Dennis Siver used to be a lightweight. Jeremy Stephens used to be a lightweight.
Siver is a striker. Stephens is a striker.
It’s a match made in heaven, right?
Obviously, we know that Siver is coming off a loss Sunday night, but Stephens is also coming off a loss to Cub Swanson recently. Given their styles and current positions in the UFC featherweight division, this is a matchup worth exploring.
It also has Fight of the Night written all over it.
Cole Miller/Max Holloway loser
Cole Miller and Max Holloway are set to fight in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 60 in Colorado on February 14. The winner is on to bigger and better things, but the loser could be a suitable dance partner for Siver.
In Miller, you have a jiu-jitsu guy with good hands. In Holloway, you have a great kickboxer who could be a great stylistic match with Siver.
Obviously, the loser would be a great opponent for Siver. Both men would benefit from taking on a longtime vet who is a mainstay of the UFC.
Sunday night played host to UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston. The card, headlined by Conor McGregor and Dennis Siver, was stacked with talent and generally seemed to entertain all who watched.
The co-main event was a lightweight bout between former UFC cha…
Sunday night played host to UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston. The card, headlined by ConorMcGregor and Dennis Siver, was stacked with talent and generally seemed to entertain all who watched.
The co-main event was a lightweight bout between former UFC champion Benson Henderson and Donald Cerrone. Cerrone took the fight on just 15 days notice but was able to edge Henderson on the scorecards.
It was a close call, but it puts Henderson on a losing streak. He needs to win his next fight, but being who he is, there will be no easy opponent next time out.
Here are three fights the UFC can make next for Henderson.
Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez and Henderson fought in 2013 while Henderson was champion. Henderson walked out the champion, but it was a close fight that very easily could have gone to Melendez.
Melendez had a second failed bid to win the UFC title in his last fight with Anthony Pettis and would likely love to try to avenge that close loss. He’s got the style that can give Henderson fits and make this a very close bout.
This bout could give both men closure from their previous encounter. It’s also a high-level bout that would be a must-see by UFC fans.
Diego Sanchez
Let’s face it: Benson Henderson and Diego Sanchez are both known for winning controversial decisions. That’s why a fight between the two could be interesting.
Obviously, Henderson is vastly superior to Sanchez and would likely win the fight easily. However, Henderson needs a winnable fight in his next outing, as he needs to snap his current skid and get back into title contention.
Make it a UFC Fight Night main event, put it in the Southwest and let it unfold.
EdsonBarboza/Michael Johnson loser
There are a lot of lightweights currently tied up with fights. Two of those lightweights are top fighters EdsonBarboza and Michael Johnson, who will fight each other soon.
Barboza is a devastating striker who can knock anybody in the division out. Johnson is an all-around threat with great wrestling ability and developed hands.
Both men would be suitable opponents for Henderson. Whoever comes out on the short end should get Henderson next.
UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston was home to a co-main event that was a trilogy, as former WEC fighters-turner-current UFC contenders Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson collided. It was a highly anticipated fight featuring a former champion versus a crowd…
UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston was home to a co-main event that was a trilogy, as former WEC fighters-turner-current UFC contenders Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson collided. It was a highly anticipated fight featuring a former champion versus a crowd favorite
In a three-round war of attrition, Cerrone walked away with a close decision that earned him his seventh win in a row. It was a disputed decision, but nonetheless, it gets Cerrone closer to a title shot.
With that, what did we learn from the co-main event? Let’s take a look and recap the fight.
What We’ll Remember from the Fight
There isn’t much you are going to remember from this fight. It was wasn’t especially exciting, there wasn’t a memorable finish, and nothing screamed “great” in this fight.
I think some people will remember the decision, just because of the massive heat it garnered on social media. Many thought Henderson won; however, it was extremely close and could have gone either way.
What We Learned About Cerrone
I think we may have known this going in, but Cerrone is a true fighter. He took a fight on 15 days’ notice against the former WEC and UFC champ, whom he already had two losses to.
That’s why he’s a crowd favorite. He loves to fight, always comes to fight and is entertaining. This may not have been his best fight, but the win is massive on his record.
What We Learned About Henderson
We found out that Henderson loves the oblique kick. By that, I mean he really loves it, given that he used it a lot. Seriously, rewatch the fight, it happened on numerous occasions.
Henderson is never going to be confused with the most exciting fighter in the UFC, but he’s technically gifted and world class. Killer instinct is the one thing he lacks, which is why UFC fans see him as a decision fighter.
What’s Next for Cerrone?
Cerrone isn’t far from a title shot. He’s on a seven-fight surge, has beat some top guys and has done so in exciting fashion.
However, with Anthony Pettis tied up with Rafael dos Anjos in the next title fight, one can expect Cerrone to stay busy as usual. The best fight at this point would be a top contender’s bout with a fully recovered Khabib Nurmagomedov in a couple of months.
What’s Next for Henderson?
With that loss, controversial or not, Henderson finds himself on a losing streak. That means he is in desperate need of a win.
Perhaps a rematch with Gilbert Melendez is in the cards. If not, putting him with a big name who also is known for questionable decisions in Diego Sanchez would work.
The UFC returns this weekend on Fox Sports 1, as UFC Fight Night 59 rolls into Boston. Headlined by one of the hottest fighters in the world, the card is deep with talent and should pull in some solid TV numbers.
Conor McGregor takes on fellow European…
The UFC returns this weekend on Fox Sports 1, as UFC Fight Night 59 rolls into Boston. Headlined by one of the hottest fighters in the world, the card is deep with talent and should pull in some solid TV numbers.
ConorMcGregor takes on fellow European Dennis Siver in the main event in a bout that could vault McGregor into a title shot. He is easily the hottest thing in MMA right now, due to his vocal prowess and violence in the cage.
It was a cold start to 2015 for me, as UFC 182 saw me pull a meager .500 record. We look to jump back into 2014 form in Boston, where I have eight chances to keep things above .500 going forward.
Without further ado, here are the preliminary card predictions for UFC Fight Night 59.
UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston was home to a co-main event that was a trilogy, as former WEC fighters-turner-current UFC contenders Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson collided. It was a highly anticipated fight featuring a former champion versus a crowd favorite