UFC Live 4 Results: What’s Next for Cheick Kongo with a Win
Bleacher Report’s Andrew Barr:
Cheick Kongo has been a part of the UFC’s heavyweight division for five years and has amassed a respectable record of 8-4-1.
Unfortunately, Kongo has consistently lost to the upper echelon fighters he has faced and as a result is thought of by many as the heavyweight division’s gatekeeper.
Kongo is 36 years old, so if he wants to make a run for the UFC’s heavyweight championship, he’s going to need to do it now.
At UFC Live: Marquardt vs Story, Cheick Kongo is going to face off against up-and-comer Pat Barry and while a win over Barry would be impressive, it will not be enough to put Cheick into title contention.
If Kongo does defeat Barry, there is a good chance that UFC might offer him fighters like Mike Russow, or Matt Mitrione, both of whom are undefeated in the UFC. Those are both bad fights for Kongo because the two fighters have little name recognition among the fans.
A match up with Stefan Struve would be good for Kongo. Struve is known by fans as an exciting fighter and a win over him would garner some attention.
The best fight for Cheick to take next would be Shane Carwin. Shane is considered one of the division’s elite, but is also coming off two losses, so the UFC will probably be looking to give him a lower level opponent next; someone like Kongo.
If Cheick could capitalize on an opportunity like fighting Carwin, he could put himself in the mix for a title shot.