Tier 1
18. Vagner Rocha, Featherweight, F(+)
Rocha found himself on the receiving end of a first-round knockout last Wednesday. Rocha attempted to bring Jonathan Brookins down, but it was Brookins who ended up on top. Rocha tried to tie his opponent into a submission but was blasted out of consciousness with a few hard headshots first. Rocha needs to improve his stand-up, supplementing his excellent ground game. He will be given a chance against a low-ranked featherweight in his next fight.
17. Bernardo Magalhaes, Lightweight, D
Magalhaes came into his UFC debut slightly favored. Many believed he would use his superior jiu-jitsu to dominate his opponent, Tim Means, who was also making his debut. However, he was not able to take Means to the ground and impose his jiu-jitsu power on him.
Magalhaes was picked apart standing by Means, who was a much better technical striker. Magalhaes’ stand-up was dominated by his reliance on his overhand right. This offense quickly became predictable and Means was able to ward off Magalhaes’ takedowns. He faded in the later rounds, succumbing to Means’ repeated strikes. The effort was an impressive first fight for Magalhaes, especially coming against a fellow newcomer. He will have to prove his performance was merely a fluke in his next fight if he wants to keep his roster spot.
16. Walel Watson, Bantamweight, D+
Watson was dominated by T.J. Dillashaw for three rounds. He is now 1-2 in the UFC and his win came against since-released Joseph Sandoval. Watson was taken to the ground repeatedly by Dillashaw. Once there he was unable to get back to his feet or submit his opponent. Dillashaw, in fact, continuously advanced his position and often found himself either taking Watson’s back or mounting him.
Watson, despite being much longer, could not keep Dillashaw on the outside and use his considerable reach effectively. Still, Watson was able to fend off Dillashaw’s rear-naked choke attempts and covered himself up well enough to avoid being knocked out or causing a stoppage. In the third round he mounted some offense and came close to putting Dillashaw in danger.
Watson overall was considerably outclassed. He needs to work on his takedown defense and his technical striking to keep his opponent at a distance.
15. Anton Kuivanen, Lightweight, C-
Kuivanan lost his debut to Justin Salas by unanimous decision. He was never able to get comfortable; Salas consistently pressured him and was able to take him down. Kuivanen did, however, show an active guard and did not allow Salas to get many shots off of him on the ground until the final round.
Kuivanen will likely get another shot in the UFC. He would be best served keeping the fight standing; he was unsuccessful in doing so last Wednesday night.
Tier 2
14. Philip De Fries, Heavyweight, C-
De Fries is difficult to grade as he fired off a couple of good strikes early in the first round but was soon caught by a strike, and Stipe Miocic followed it up and the fight was soon stopped. De Fries’ greatest strength is his ground game. The fight obviously did not get there, though.
De Fries was previously undefeated in the UFC. This fight was to determine which heavyweight prospect was capable of taking that next step. As the loser, De Fries will have to regroup against a lower-end heavyweight.
13. John Albert, Bantamweight, C-
Albert came into his fight with Ivan Menjivar looking impressive. He was coming off a big TKO victory over Dustin Pague at The Ultimate Fighter season 12 finale. He also physically looked the part of a top UFC bantamweight.
Albert ended up losing to rear-naked choke in the first round of his bout with Menjivar. Still, despite the loss, Albert came away from the first FUEL event impressing many. He seemed to be the better striker, and although he was easily taken to the ground, Albert nearly had Menjivar trapped in a couple of submissions. Finally, Albert’s back was taken. Immediately it was evident he would lose via choke, as he was not well adept to defend from that position.
Albert certainly has some things to improve upon (his wrestling and defense), but he has a very strong base from which to work from. Now 1-1 in the UFC, Albert could be looking to rise up the rankings in his next couple of fights.
12. Aaron Simpson, Middleweight, C
Simpson nudges out Albert due to his split-decision performance. Unlike the previous fighters on this list, Simpson actually won a round. Knocking Ronny Markes with an overhand right. Simpson swarmed him, but was unable to finish the fight. Markes then out-muscled Simpson the remainder of the fight. Simpson is getting old and likely moving to welterweight. He should serve as a strong test against rising prospects, though.
11. Dave Herman, Heavyweight, C
Herman, much like Simpson, took the first round from his opponent, Stefan Struve. However, Struve dominated the second round, eventually earning the stoppage after knocking Herman down and pounding on him. Herman was impressive in the first, though, showing some very good kickboxing and technical striking.
Despite the loss, Herman is still one to watch in his division. His loss did come to a borderline top-10 heavyweight, his first attempt against elite competition. He at least proved he can compete on this level.
Tier 3
10. Justin Salas, Lightweight, C
Salas is the first victor to make the list, not that it is an accomplishment. He battled against Anton Kuivanen, who, like himself, was making his UFC debut. Salas won via unanimous decision. The first round was highly contested. They traded strikes and Kuivanen’s might have been more powerful. Salas scored a couple takedowns but could do nothing with them. Salas won the second round by being more aggressive and winning the war in the clinch.
Finally, in the third, he put everything together. He was able to outstrike his now timid opponent and he could finally work some ground and pound. Salas was very impressive in his first fight and will now look to slowly ascend the lightweight ladder.
9. Ronny Markes, Middleweight, C+
Markes faced his stiffest test in the UFC. He passed, winning a split decision to Aaron Simpson. The win proved Markes is ready for some of the best middleweights in the UFC. The victory did not come easy. Markes was hit by a bomb late in the first, but was able to hang on and recoup. He came back even stronger in the following rounds, dominating Simpson both on the feet and on the ground, even pushed up against the cage.
Markes showed he is a big and strong middleweight and should be a tough opponent for anyone in his division.
8. Ivan Menjivar, Bantamweight, C+
Menjivar won his third straight in the UFC. He defeated a better than expected John Albert by rear-naked choke in the first round. Despite the win, Menjivar had his hands full with Albert. He was getting beat standing. So, Menjivar took Albert down. He had to ward off a few submission attempts, but finally took Albert’s back and once there quickly stitched up a victory by tap out.
Menjivar was outclassed in the stand-up, but he showed excellent defense and composure. He also was able to take advantage of the first opportunity he had to finish the fight. Menjivar secured himself a spot somewhere behind the top-10 bantamweights.
7. Diego Sanchez, Welterweight, B-
Sanchez earns the title of being the most impressive in defeat. He faced a top-five welterweight in Jake Ellenberger, losing by unanimous decision 29-28. Sanchez struggled through the first two rounds of the main event. Ellenberger proved to be the much better striker, tagging Sanchez repeatedly. Sanchez was even dominated on the ground in the second as Ellenberger took him down and pounded on him.
However, in the third, Sanchez capitalized on a mistake by his opponent. He took his back and began unloading, trying to open Ellenberger for the choke or a referee stoppage. Ellenberger defended well, surviving and winning the decision.
Facing the absolute best in the division, Sanchez held his own; the fight was never out of hand. Still, he looked a step slow and would be best served returning to the lightweight division.
6. Stefan Struve, Heavyweight, B-
Struve continues his rise in the heavyweight division, winning his bout with Dave Herman by TKO. Struve struggled in the first round, stunned by Herman’s diverse and dynamic striking. In the second, Struve’s strikes found their home, he eventually knocked Herman to the ground and collapsed his ginormous body over him. Struve laying over his opponent is an awkward sight. He is so much longer than even his fellow heavyweights.
Struve ground-and-pounded his way to victory. This was a big victory for Struve. However, he was far from dominant, despite the finish.
5. Tim Means, Lightweight, B
Means made his debut, defeating Bernardo Magalhaes with a unanimous decision. He looked great standing, during the broadcast he was likened to Carlos Condit. He showed good technical striking, though, picking Magalhaes apart, especially in the third round. Means also showed superb takedown defense. He prevented the jiu-jitsu black belt from bringing the fight to the ground for any significant time.
Means, like Salas, will look to slowly move forward in the lightweight division, but he was nothing but impressive in his first fight.
Tier 4
4. Jonathan Brookins, Featherweight, B+
Brookins finds himself amongst the four most impressive fighters from last Wednesday’s event. Performing on the event’s preliminary card, TUF winner made quick work of Vagner Rocha. The victory was his first since defeating Michael Johnson and capturing TUF title. Brookins did not receive much of a chance to showcase his stand-up. Rocha tried to bring Brookins to the ground soon after the bell rung. However, it was Brookins who managed to get on top and fire off some close punches as Rocha went for a submission. Rocha then went out cold.
It was good to see Brookins’ ability to reverse Rocha and do enough damage to put him out. However, it would have been far more impressive to see Brookins dominate over a length of time before putting his opponent out. Having seen little of him, it is tough to gauge if Brookins’ performance was merely a fluke or if he is a significantly better fighter than he was when he fought Koch. Those questions will have to wait until Brookins returns to the octagon looking to prove he is ready to join the top of the featherweight division.
3. Stipe Miocic, Heavyweight, B+
Miocic faced the previously-unbeaten-in-the-UFC Phil De Fries. After being rattled by a couple of shots, Miocic recovered and knocked out De Fries in bonus winning fashion. Miocic’s decision debut left many wondering if Miocic had been overhyped. However, the decisive victory dismissed that delusion. Still, it would have been nice to see the fight go on long enough Miocic tested on the ground by a submission specialist. Miocic will be looking at a big step up in competition next.
2. T.J. Dillashaw, Bantamweight, B+
Dillashaw outperformed Brookins and Miocic despite not finishing his opponent. He did this by winning a decisive unanimous decision 30-25, 30-25, 30-26. Those scores are at least as impressive as a finish. Dillashaw completely dominated Walel Watson, as the scores indicate.
He did so by exhibiting a wrestling clinic. He consistently took Watson down, advancing position, seemingly at will. He only spent significant time in Watson’s guard in the third round. The remainder of the fight Dillashaw managed to work his way into dominating positions. The majority of the second round Dillashaw transitioned back and forth between mounting Watson and having his back. He did so effortlessly. Dillashaw’s stand up was not displayed much, but he seemed adequate there, setting up his takedowns when necessary.
The most impressive aspect of Dillashaw’s game was his composure. He was very poised throughout the bout. He was patient following a takedown, calculating each move and being sure to avoid mistakes against the submission practitioner. Dillashaw also showed good submission defense in third round while caught in Watson’s guard.
The only knock on Dillashaw was his inability to finish the fight. He worked his way into several dominating positions, but failed to capitalize. Dillashaw had the position to choke out Watson or finish him to strikes, but simply could not put his opponent away. Despite this, Dillashaw’s performance was vastly impressive. He will be looking to rise quickly through the bantamweight division.
1. Jake Ellenberger, Welterweight, A-
Surprise, surprise. Ellenberger wins the honor of having the greatest performance. He earned the title by defeating Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision.
Ellenberger continued to show an incredible ability to strike. He was very technical in this bout as well. He was able to pick Sanchez apart, tagging him even as Sanchez scurried away. Ellenberger even pulled out his wrestling. He took Sanchez to the ground and battered him from his guard. Ellenberger showed a great all-around game, dominating the majority of the fight.
Finally in the third round , Ellenberger tripped up in transition, allowing Sanchez to take his back. However, Ellenberger defended perfectly, not allowing Sanchez to flatten him out. He was never in danger of being choked out. It was great to see Ellenberger excel in all facets of the fight. He cemented his spot among the top five welterweights with the win.
Some Accolades
Best Individual Rounds:
1. T.J. Dillashaw’s second round: Dillashaw dominated Watson on the ground, moving seamlessly from Watson’s back to a mounted position.
2. Jake Ellenberger’s second round: He showed off his impressive wrestling and ground and pound. Apparently, beating Sanchez up just standing had begun to get stale.
3. Stipe Miocic’s first round: Pretty easy selection considering the big knockout.
Most Composed:
1. Jake Ellenberger: His striking was extremely crisp and he did a good job of mixing up his attack, taking Sanchez down. Once Sanchez had Ellenberger in trouble, he defended it perfectly—John Albert should have been taking notes.
2. T.J. Dillashaw: His patience was a huge asset and allowed him to dominate without getting himself into trouble.
Best Stand-Up Striker:
1. Jake Ellenberger: No shock here.
Runners-Up: Mocic, Means and Sanchez
Best Ground Work:
1. T.J. Dillashaw: Again, no surprises.
Runners-Up: Ellenberger, Sanchez, Salas, Brookins and Struve
Biggest Rise in Their Division
1. Ronny Markes: A win over a gatekeeper like Simpson should give Markes a big middleweight fight next. It could be Ed Herman, or someone similar.
Feel free to post your opinions on any or all of the fighters. Please share any problems or discrepancies you have with my list.
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