UFC 145, and the biggest grudge match in recent Ultimate Fighting Championship memory, is finally in the books. It’s time to take a look forward at what should be next in store for some of the biggest winners (and losers) from another excellent UFC event.
Let’s start at the top:
Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson
This isn’t much of a stretch, because we already know it’s happening. We just don’t know when. Henderson is the rightful contender and has been waiting for his shot since beating Shogun Rua in one of the best fights in UFC history in December.
Unfortunately for Henderson, he doesn’t have much of a chance against the reigning champion.
Jones’ otherworldly reach will present even more problems for Henderson than it did for Evans, and Henderson will have to rely on landing that big right hand of his.
There’s a chance that could happen, of course. All of Henderson’s opponents know that he wants to land the “H-Bomb,” and he’s usually able to do it anyway.
Jones is a different kind of fighter, though. He’s brilliant in the cage, and I don’t see Henderson getting close enough to land that one shot. Jones should walk through him with relative ease.
Rashad Evans vs. Mark Munoz
This fight would need one thing, of course: Evans would need to drop down to middleweight. I believe that’s the best course for him at this point in his career.
He faces a long road if he wants to get back to another shot at Jones, and by the time it happens, he’ll be even older and Jones will be a better fighter. Suga’s prospects for another light heavyweight title reign are bleak.
He’s always been undersized at light heavyweight, though, and a move to middleweight would put him on equal footing with the guys in that division.
A bout with Munoz, another highly-decorated wrestler, would be intriguing on many levels, and a win for Evans over a guy like Munoz would cement him as a title challenger for Anderson Silva or Chael Sonnen. The same goes for Munoz; a win over Evans would give him real momentum heading into a title fight.
It’s time for Evans to make the move down a weight class, and this is the perfect introductory fight for him in the division.
Rory MacDonald vs. Josh Koscheck/Johny Hendricks
MacDonald is certainly one of the best prospects in the welterweight division. The UFC is positioning him as a future star, but he’ll need to beat a real star in order to cement himself near the top of the division.
A bout against the winner of the Koscheck/Hendricks fight that takes place in two weeks at UFC on FOX 3 would give MacDonald that credibility, especially if it comes over Koscheck. It would also give MacDonald a clear shot at the interim welterweight title and afford him a chance to garner revenge over Carlos Condit, the one guy who has handed MacDonald a loss during his young career.
Ben Rothwell vs. Roy Nelson
Rothwell’s stunning knockout over Brendan Schaub kick-started his career in many ways. He was on the verge of retiring from the sport with another loss, but gained new life and tons of new fans with his emotional performance.
With Antonio Silva moving up to face Cain Velasquez at UFC 146, Roy Nelson needs a new opponent for the card.
Why not Rothwell?
He’s uninjured after the Schaub fight, and he already owns a win over Nelson from back in their IFL days. He’s the perfect replacement opponent for Nelson in just about every way, shape and form.
Michael McDonald vs. Brian Bowles
McDonald’s knockout win over Miguel Torres firmly established him as not just one of the hottest bantamweight prospects in the world, but as a real top-five fighter in the division.
I suspect Renan Barao will get a title shot against the winner of Urijah Faber/Dominick Cruz, provided Barao can beat Jeff Houghland, which leaves McDonald needing one more fight before securing a championship bout of his own.
Bowles is coming off a loss to Faber last November, but he’s still one of the top fighters in the division. He represents a step up in the division for McDonald, which seems like a natural career progression for the youngster.
And a win over Bowles would turn McDonald from a hot prospect into the real deal and a championship contender.
Plus, the fight would probably be awesome. Both guys are outstanding strikers, and the odds are high this one would have a violent ending.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com