Saturday night, the UFC made its return to Montreal with a card that ended up being one of the most exciting in recent memory. UFC 186 marked the return to pay-per-view and was put on the back of UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson, as he defended his belt against top Japanese star Kyoji Horiguchi.
Also on that card was a middleweight scrap, which saw long-time UFC vets Michael Bisping and CB Dollaway meet up in a Fight of the Night performance. It was a back-and-forth fight in which both men saw their moments, but Bisping ended up taking a unanimous decision after a couple sticky situations.
It was a big fight for both men, as both needed to get back into the win column. For Bisping, he got that win, while Dollaway now has to go back to the drawing board and search again for a victory in his next affair.
So where does Dollaway go from this loss? Let’s take a look at three matchups he could see in the near future.
Gegard Mousasi-Costa Philippou loser
The Philippines is set to have its first-ever UFC show in the month of May. On that stacked main card is an intriguing middleweight bout, as power boxer Costa Philippou looks to thwart the rapid assent of former Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi.
The matchup between the two promises to be fireworks, as both are proficient on the feet. A win for either man pushes them into title talks, while the loser finds himself on the outside looking in, in need of a dance partner to get them back on track.
That’s where Dollaway comes in. Seeing as Mousasi, Philippou and Dollaway are all top-20, if not top-15, middleweights in the UFC, the losers could find value in fighting one another.
My preference is Dollaway vs. Philippou, though if Mousasi were to lose his bout in the Philippines, he would certainly be a fun matchup for “The Doberman” as well.
Kelvin Gastelum-Nate Marquardt loser
Speaking of international UFC fights on the horizon, UFC 188 in Mexico City plays host to a pivotal middleweight bout of its own. Star of the future Kelvin Gastelum makes his return to 185 pounds after weight troubles at 170 to take on long-time vet Nate Marquardt on the main card.
Marquardt, a former King of Pancrase and Strikeforce champ, has had his ups and downs since returning to the UFC but has seemingly righted the ship since moving back to 185. Gastelum, at just 23 years old, has already become a contender, despite his young age and seeming inexperience.
The winner moves closer to the title picture. The other could possibly be booked with fellow top middleweight Dollaway, whose style coincides perfectly with either man.
It’s an intriguing option, to say the least.
Ed Herman
Ed Herman is coming off a loss to Derek Brunson. Dollaway is coming off a loss to the aforementioned Bisping.
Might these two men find common ground that could lead to a pivotal bout at 185?
Both men are TUF runner-ups who have had long careers in the UFC thus far. They have similar credentials, though one could argue that Dollaway has been more of a success to this point.
Dollaway is a boxing wrestler. Herman is a boxing jiu-jitsu artist.
Styles make fights, and these two have the type of styles that could lead to a fun, strategic chess match.
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