After a great night of mixed martial arts (MMA) action at UFC on FOX 19: “Teixeira vs. Evans,” MMAmania.com ponders what is next for the main card winners who picked up victories last Saturday (April 16, 2016) on FOX inside the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to Florida yesterday (Sat., April 16, 2016), as the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay played host to the UFC on FOX 19: “Teixeira vs. Evans” event, featuring a critical Light Heavyweight showdown.
In the main event of the evening, Glover Teixeira wasted no time in violently finishing the former UFC Champion Rashad Evans in under two minutes (highlights here). The victory was the Brazilian’s third in a row, and positions himself for a No. 1 contender shot next.
In the co-main event, Rose Namajunas barely eked out a unanimous decision against Tecia Torres in a highly entertaining fight that seemed to have the masses split as to who deserved the nod.
Check out the highlights here.
With that quick recap of last night’s marquee bouts, it’s now time to play matchmaker with our “Next Matches To Make.”
Winner: Glover Teixeira
Who Should He Fight Next: Anthony Johnson
If a fighter in the main event pulls off a major statement victory, UFC brass will often reward him with the fight he called for in his post-fight interview.
After savagely knocking out former UFC champ Rashad Evans, Glover Teixeira called out Anthony Johnson to battle for the No. 1 contender spot in the Light Heavyweight division.
With both men undoubtedly top 5 in the division, and the logjam at the top of the division with Daniel Cormier waiting to fight either Jon Jones or Ovince St. Preux next, the fight makes perfect sense.
Both Teixeira and Johnson are lauded for their violent knockout power, so if they do step into the cage against one another, don’t blink.
Winner: Rose Namajunas
Who Should She Fight Next: Carla Esparza
The Women’s Strawweight division is stacked to the brim with uber talented fighters looking to get their hands of Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Claudia Gadelha will get her second crack at the champ on July 8, and the winner of that fight could very well battle Rose Namajunas next.
In a rematch of their 2013 battle, Namajunas and Tecia Torres put on a show on FOX, delivering high-paced action for 15 minutes in an incredibly close fight.
“Thug” Rose was able to eke out the unanimous decision, and her third straight UFC victory may have booked her a ticket to a shot at UFC gold.
Alternatively, if Namajunas would rather hone her skills in yet another tune-up fight, taking on the winner of Carla Esparza vs. Juliana Lima next weekend would likely be the smart career move.
Winner: Khabib Nurmagomedov
Who Should He Fight Next: Rafael Dos Anjos or Eddie Alvarez
Sorry Tony Ferguson, but Khabib Nurmagomedov is heading straight to a UFC title shot.
“El Cucuy” had his opportunity to get his hands on “The Eagle” in Tampa, but an injury to Ferguson forced Nurmagomedov to take a tune-up fight against UFC newcomer Darrell Horcher.
As expected, the Dagestani wrecking machine obliterated Horcher, and once again staked his claim as arguably the best Lightweight in the world.
At 22-0, and with a UFC victory over current champ Rafael Dos Anjos, it would be a crime not to give Nurmagomedov the winner of Dos Anjos vs Eddie Alvarez later this year.
Winner: Cub Swanson
Who Should He Fight Next: Dennis Bermudez
After nearly five years of competing in UFC’s Featherweight division, Cub Swanson has essentially fought every major name in the category other than Conor McGregor.
After a six fight winning streak, Swanson took a major step up in competition to face off against Frankie Edgar in a fight he was humbled and beaten down.
Just a few months later, Swanson tasted defeat at the hands of the upstart Max Holloway, and found himself at a career crossroads.
After taking a year off, Swanson showed flashes of his former self at UFC Tampa, as he started to catch his rhythm late in the fight.
Even though “Killer Cub” is currently ranked No. 6, I’d rather see Swanson fight the lower half of the division until he proves he has the chops to battle the top 5 once again.
With that being said, a fight against Dennis Bermudez would be all sorts of entertaining.
For complete UFC on FOX 19 results, including play-by-play updates, click here.