UFC 192 Highlights/Results: Cormier and Gustafsson Put On a Show for the Ages, Bader Dominates Evans, + More


(via Getty)

Well, that was a hell of a fight.

If it sounds like I’m underselling the UFC 192 main event that pitted newly-crowned light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier against former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson, it’s only because the five round affair was a fight that simply needs to be seen to be appreciated. I could tack on any number of adjectives to the fight, I could call it a “grinder” or a “war” or a “blood-soaked battle of wills,” but the truth is, Cormier vs. Gustafsson was simply an example of championship-level MMA at its finest.

That DC vs. Lusty Gusty came at the tail end of a main card that saw all five of its fights go the distance is a testament to its greatness, so check out all the highlights from the action-packed main event (and the rest of the card as well), courtesy of UFC on FOX.

The post UFC 192 Highlights/Results: Cormier and Gustafsson Put On a Show for the Ages, Bader Dominates Evans, + More appeared first on Cagepotato.


(via Getty)

Well, that was a hell of a fight.

If it sounds like I’m underselling the UFC 192 main event that pitted newly-crowned light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier against former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson, it’s only because the five round affair was a fight that simply needs to be seen to be appreciated. I could tack on any number of adjectives to the fight, I could call it a “grinder” or a “war” or a “blood-soaked battle of wills,” but the truth is, Cormier vs. Gustafsson was simply an example of championship-level MMA at its finest.

That DC vs. Lusty Gusty came at the tail end of a main card that saw all five of its fights go the distance is a testament to its greatness, so check out all the highlights from the action-packed main event (and the rest of the card as well), courtesy of UFC on FOX.

Really, this highlight does little justice for what was easily one of the best fights of the year, and Gustafsson’s second brilliant-but-just-shy-of-winning performance against one of the greatest fighters in the sport today. If only he didn’t have to look like his face had been run through a meat grinder after each one of these performances.

In the co-main event of the evening, the evolution of Ryan Bader continued via a hard-fought, if one-sided decision win over former champ Rashad Evans. While “Suga” looked far fresher than you would expect for a guy who has spent the past two years on the shelf battling various injuries, he was simply a step behind “Darth” on Saturday. The TUF 8 winner was able to land first, utilizing a newfound and deadly accurate jab, and even outwrestle the TUF 1 winner consistently, and while I don’t think the win was enough to convince anyone that Bader stands a chance against Cormier or Jon Jones, it was an impressive performance nonetheless.

The unfortunate removal of Johny Hendricks from UFC 192 bumped a flyweight tilt between former title challengers Joseph Benavidez and Ali Bagautinov up to the main card, and they…more or less did not take advantage of it. In a smart, technical performance from the Team Alpha Male veteran that was routinely booed by the crowd, Benavidez utilized a slight speed advantage to keep the Dagestani consistently off balance and chasing en route to a unanimous decision win. Not much else to say about this one, what with both guys chances of receiving another shot at Mighty Mouse falling in the “Slim to none” category.

The full results for UFC 192 are below.

Main card
Daniel Cormier def. Alexander Gustafsson via split decision
Ryan Bader def. Rashad Evans via unanimous decision
Ruslan Magomedov def. Shawn Jordan via unanimous decision
Joseph Benavidez def. Ali Bagautinov via unanimous decision
Julianna Pena def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision

Undercard
Yair Rodriguez def. Dan Hooker via unanimous decision
Albert Tumenov def. Alan Jouban via first-round KO
Adriano Martins def. Islam Makhachev via first-round KO
Rose Namajunas def. Angela Hill via sub (rear-naked choke)
Sage Northcutt def. Francisco Trevino via first-round TKO
Sergio Pettis def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision
Derrick Lewis def. Viktor Pesta via third-round TKO

The post UFC 192 Highlights/Results: Cormier and Gustafsson Put On a Show for the Ages, Bader Dominates Evans, + More appeared first on Cagepotato.

Fight Night 75 Highlights/Results: Barnett Decisions Nelson in Slugfest, Uriah Hall Scores the KO of the Century, + More

(via UFC on FOX)

The UFC returned to action on Sunday morning after a nearly unprecedented 3-week hiatus, delivering a star-studded(ish) card from Japan that saw Josh Barnetta lover of Japanese culture if there ever was one, face off against Roy Nelson, inventor and sole proprietor of the “triple bacon cheeseburger” sushi roll, in the evening’s main event.

Despite not competing in the cage since a quick KO loss to Travis Browne in December of 2013, Barnett showed up to the contest looking to be in the best shape of his life, and it paid benefits over the course of the five round affair. “The Warmaster” set a UFC heavyweight record 146 significant strikes and UFC record 95 significant clinch strikes en route to a decision victory over “Big Country,” who you can guarantee got screwed out of a performance bonus by his good buddy Dana White when all was said and done.

After the jump: Highlights from Uriah Hall‘s shocking KO of Gegard Mousasi, Diego Brandao‘s slightly less shocking KO of Katsunori Kikuno, and more.

The post Fight Night 75 Highlights/Results: Barnett Decisions Nelson in Slugfest, Uriah Hall Scores the KO of the Century, + More appeared first on Cagepotato.


(via UFC on FOX)

The UFC returned to action on Sunday morning after a nearly unprecedented 3-week hiatus, delivering a star-studded(ish) card from Japan that saw Josh Barnetta lover of Japanese culture if there ever was one, face off against Roy Nelson, inventor and sole proprietor of the “triple bacon cheeseburger” sushi roll, in the evening’s main event.

Despite not competing in the cage since a quick KO loss to Travis Browne in December of 2013, Barnett showed up to the contest looking to be in the best shape of his life, and it paid benefits over the course of the five round affair. “The Warmaster” set a UFC heavyweight record 146 significant strikes and UFC record 95 significant clinch strikes en route to a decision victory over “Big Country,” who you can guarantee got screwed out of a performance bonus by his good buddy Dana White when all was said and done.

After the jump: Highlights from Uriah Hall‘s shocking KO of Gegard Mousasi, Diego Brandao‘s slightly less shocking KO of Katsunori Kikuno, and more.

In the co-main event of the evening, Uriah Hall tried to make it two in a row over heavy favorite Gegard Mousasi, who was riding back-to-back wins over Dan Henderson and Costas Philippou. Save a slick kimura from guard attempt by Hall, the opening frame was absolutely dominated by the smart ground work of Sweet Sassy Moo-sassy (nickname pending), who nearly finished Hall with an arm triangle and rear-naked choke at the beginning and end of the round.

Of course, all second rounds start on the feet, as they say (citation needed), and Hall took full advantage of that, unleashing a jumping, spinning headkick to flying knee combo that was totally ninja, as Sterling Archer might call it. A few follow-up punches sealed the deal on what would’ve easily been the greatest comeback of the night, if not for…

Keita. Nakamura. Ladies. And. Gent. Le. Men.

Winless in his first three promotional appearances between 2006-2008, Keita Nakamura fought and scraped his way back to the UFC with four straight finishes under the DEEP banner. Unfortunately, two and a half rounds into his fight with Li Jingliang yesterday, it looked as if that goose egg would remain in his win column. Nakamura had been dominated on the ground, rocked on the feet, and all around outworked by “The Leech”…right up until he snatched up a rear-naked choke that caused Jingliang to face plant on the mat in one of the most brutal “Did He Died?” moments in recent memory.

Nakamura was awarded a $50,000 performance bonus for his efforts, and improves to 31-6 overall.

In the night’s quickest performance, Diego Brandao tore through Katsunori Kikuno in less than 30 seconds, obliterating the local legend with a pair of well-placed right hands that left Kikuno turtled up against the fence. Not much to take away from this fight, really, other than two things we already knew:

1.) Diego Brandao is deadly in the first five minutes.

2.) Kikuno really, *really* needs to abandon this “leave your hands at your sides and dare his opponent to KO him” style of stand-up.

The full list of results of Fight Night 75 are below.

Main card
Josh Barnett def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision
Uriah Hall def. Gegard Mousasi via second-round TKO
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Chico Camus via unanimous decision
Takeya Mizugaki def. George Roop via unanimous decision
Diego Brandao def. Katsunori Kikuno via first-round TKO
Mizuto Hirota vs. Teruto Ishihara ruled a draw

Undercard 
Keita Nakamura def. Li Jingliang via technical submission at 2:17 of R3
Nick Hein def. Yusuke Kasuya via unanimous decision
Kajan Johnson def.Naoyuki Kotani via unanimous decision
Shinsho Anzai def. Roger Zapata via third-round TKO

The post Fight Night 75 Highlights/Results: Barnett Decisions Nelson in Slugfest, Uriah Hall Scores the KO of the Century, + More appeared first on Cagepotato.

VIDEO: Ryan Hall Turns Frantz Slioa Into a Pretzel on ‘TUF 22: Episode 2?

Being a Jiu Jitsu black belt with a penchant for heel hooks, it would be easy to compare TUF 22 competitor Ryan Hall to Rousimar Palhares, and we’re sure that many an MMA website out there already has. Thankfully, that’s where the comparisons begin and end, as last night’s fight between Hall (of team Faber) and Team McGregor’s Frantz Slioa proved outright that not all leglock masters are homicidal lunatics incapable of empathy.

Video after the jump.

The post VIDEO: Ryan Hall Turns Frantz Slioa Into a Pretzel on ‘TUF 22: Episode 2′ appeared first on Cagepotato.

Being a Jiu Jitsu black belt with a penchant for heel hooks, it would be easy to compare TUF 22 competitor Ryan Hall to Rousimar Palhares, and we’re sure that many an MMA website out there already has. Thankfully, that’s where the comparisons begin and end, as last night’s fight between Hall (of team Faber) and Team McGregor’s Frantz Slioa proved outright that not all leglock masters are homicidal lunatics incapable of empathy.

Video after the jump.

As for the rest of last night’s episode, Dana White dropped something of a bomb (by TUF standards, at least) in announcing that not only would each coach be allowed to bring one fighter eliminated during the preliminary fights back (McGregor went with teammate/countryman Artem Lobov, obviously, while Faber took Johnny Nunez), but that the least exciting fighter will be kicked out of the house after the first nine fights conclude.

“I’m looking for guys who wanna fight,” said White. “I’m looking for guys who wanna perform. I looking for guys who wanna be world champions. That’s what this show is all about. We aren’t looking for guys who will hold onto a guy’s leg for three rounds and make it to the finals.”

You hear that, guys? The TUF house don’t need no stinking “strategies.” They just want dudes swinging them bungalows until someone goes down. So what if you emerge too injured to fight 3 times in 10 weeks? SUCK IT UP, PUSSIES.

In the trash-talking department, Urijah Faber told the “Notorious” one that he looked like “orange cotton candy.” McGregor quickly fired back by mocking Faber’s style, which he accurately described as that of “a 50-year old retired skateboarder.” Compelling stuff.

The post VIDEO: Ryan Hall Turns Frantz Slioa Into a Pretzel on ‘TUF 22: Episode 2′ appeared first on Cagepotato.

Fight Night 74 Highlights/Results: Oliveira Tears His Esophagus, Perez Retires, Cote & Burkman Go to War + More

Fight Night 74 was a night full of surprises, and that’s not just referring to the fact that seven underdogs came out victorious on Sunday night, or the fact that the highly-anticipated main event ended before it ever got started. No, the biggest shock of the night came in the form of 26-year old Frankie Perez, who followed up an impressive (if not necessarily surprising) KO of Sam Stout by retiring in the ring. Check out the video above.

“I train with the best team on the planet” said Perez, “I have the utmost confidence to beat anybody in this division. (But) me being 26, this is my first win in the UFC and my last. I’m done after this. I’ve brought my dreams to come true and I’m on to the next chapter in my life. I’m done putting my family and my body through all this.”

It was an incredibly honorable moment for Perez, which could only mean that one of the UFC’s analysts for the evening, Michael Bisping, could only lob insults aimed Perez’s “cajones” when discussing it with Dominick Cruz in the studio afterward. Thankfully, Cruz set the record straight by both lauding Perez’s discipline and shitting on Bisping’s gatekeeper status/lack of two functional eyes.

Check out the complete list of Fight Night 74 results (with highlights) after the jump. 

The post Fight Night 74 Highlights/Results: Oliveira Tears His Esophagus, Perez Retires, Cote & Burkman Go to War + More appeared first on Cagepotato.

Fight Night 74 was a night full of surprises, and that’s not just referring to the fact that seven underdogs came out victorious on Sunday night, or the fact that the highly-anticipated main event ended before it ever got started. No, the biggest shock of the night came in the form of 26-year old Frankie Perez, who followed up an impressive (if not necessarily surprising) KO of Sam Stout by retiring in the ring. Check out the video above.

“I train with the best team on the planet” said Perez, “I have the utmost confidence to beat anybody in this division. (But) me being 26, this is my first win in the UFC and my last. I’m done after this. I’ve brought my dreams to come true and I’m on to the next chapter in my life. I’m done putting my family and my body through all this.”

It was an incredibly honorable moment for Perez, which could only mean that one of the UFC’s analysts for the evening, Michael Bisping, could only lob insults aimed Perez’s “cajones” when discussing it with Dominick Cruz in the studio afterward. Thankfully, Cruz set the record straight by both lauding Perez’s discipline and shitting on Bisping’s gatekeeper status/lack of two functional eyes.

Check out the complete list of Fight Night 74 results (with highlights) after the jump. 

Speaking of surprises, Fight Night 74′s main event ended not with a surprise finish or controversial decision, but with an injury that I have legitimately never seen before. After failing to secure his first takedown, Charles Oliveira clutched his neck and surrendered almost instantly. He was then stretchered out of the arena, leading many of us to speculate that something very, very serious might have been wrong with Oliveira heading into the matchup. As it turns out, were were right: Oliveira had previously injured his neck in training, then tore his goddamn esophagus in the opening minute of the fight. “Do Bronx” explained what went wrong during today’s MMA Hour:

I injured my neck in training, but did physical therapy and thought everything was fine, but when I fell against the cage everything went numb, I couldn’t feel my body.”

Oliveira also stated his hopes for a rematch with Holloway, who rallied for a fight against Frankie Edgar during the evening’s post-fight press conference. To which I say, book that fight, UFC. Book that fight as quickly as you sons a bitches can.

Most of us could have predicted that Josh Burkman vs. Patrick Cote would’ve been a banger, but I’ll be damned if these two vets didn’t surpass all our expectations and then some. Cote’s legendary chin was put to the test early and often by Burkman, who himself had never been TKO’d until he ate a hellacious counter right from Cote in the third round. Some 20 or so follow-up punches later, Cote had scored his first TKO win since dropping to

The highlights from Chad Laprise vs. Francisco Trinaldo and Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Tony Sims are below.

Laprise vs. Trinaldo

OAB vs. Sims

Main card
Max Holloway def. Charles Oliveira via first-round TKO (1:39)
Neil Magny def. Erick Silva via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Patrick Cote def. Josh Burkman via third-round TKO (1:26)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Chad Laprise via first-round TKO (2:43)
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Tony Sims via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Valerie Letourneau def. Maryna Munoz via unanimous decision (29-28 x 2, 30-27)

Undercard
Frankie Perez def. Sam Stout via TKO (punches) at :54 of R1
Felipe Arantes def. Yves Jabouin via submission (armbar) at 4:21 of R1
Nikita Krylov def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:29 of R1
Chris Kelades def. Chris Beal via unanimous decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Shane Campbell def. Elias Silverio via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Misha Cirkunov def. Daniel Jolly via KO (ground and pound) at 4:45 of R1

The post Fight Night 74 Highlights/Results: Oliveira Tears His Esophagus, Perez Retires, Cote & Burkman Go to War + More appeared first on Cagepotato.

Fight Night 73 Highlights/Results: Teixeira Submits OSP, Nunes Batters McMann, MMA Judges Screw Up Another One + More

Having dropped his past two contests two a couple of nobodies named Jon Jones and Phil Davis, it seemed as if the tide was turning against Glover Teixeira heading into his main event showdown with Ovince St. Preux last weekend. And at the end of first round, which saw Glover nearly finished compliments of a brutal liver kick, it seemed as if we might be right.

But then, the tide turned. Falling back on his underrated wrestling/Jiu-Jitsu game, Teixeira rallied and dominated OSP on the mat for the next two rounds before sinking in a fight-ending rear-naked choke that put St. Preux to sleep. Just like that, a former title challenger finds himself back in the title picture…and he’s already got his trash-talking game ON POINT.

But Teixeira — OSP wasn’t the only surprise we were treated to at Fight Night 73, so head after the jump for highlights and a complete list of results.

The post Fight Night 73 Highlights/Results: Teixeira Submits OSP, Nunes Batters McMann, MMA Judges Screw Up Another One + More appeared first on Cagepotato.

Having dropped his past two contests two a couple of nobodies named Jon Jones and Phil Davis, it seemed as if the tide was turning against Glover Teixeira heading into his main event showdown with Ovince St. Preux last weekend. And at the end of first round, which saw Glover nearly finished compliments of a brutal liver kick, it seemed as if we might be right.

But then, the tide turned. Falling back on his underrated wrestling/Jiu-Jitsu game, Teixeira rallied and dominated OSP on the mat for the next two rounds before sinking in a fight-ending rear-naked choke that put St. Preux to sleep. Just like that, a former title challenger finds himself back in the title picture…and he’s already got his trash-talking game ON POINT.

But Teixeira — OSP wasn’t the only surprise we were treated to at Fight Night 73, so head after the jump for highlights and a complete list of results.

As we’ve come to learn with each passing event, judging an MMA contest is a surprise in and of itself, especially to those handing out the verdicts. Case in point: For the entirety of their three round co-main event, Michael Johnson outlanded, outworked, and generally outclassed Beneil Dariush on the feet while stuffing 100% of the 7 takedowns his opponent attempted. Yet, inexplicably, the judges gave the nod to Dariush in a move that even Dariush had trouble justifying.

It’s like we’ve said before: Split decisions have become the MMA equivalent of the shrug emoji. MMA judges either refuse to or are incapable of performing what limited duties they have been given, and we are powerless to do anything outside of complaining about it on Twitter.

In keeping with our “surprises” theme, can we talk about the absolute ass-whooping Amanda Nunes put on Sara McMann? The former Olympian/title challenger has now dropped three out of her last four bouts and has never looked as overwhelmed as she was last Saturday. Then again, you could argue that McMann is actually in a better position following the loss than Nunes, because at least she won’t have to face Ronda Rousey anytime soon. Poor, poor Amanda Nunes. She doesn’t even know what’s coming.

Complete results for Fight Night 73 are below.

Main card
Glover Teixeira def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission (rear-naked choke) (3rd, 3:10)
Beneil Dariush def. Michael Johnson via unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Derek Brunson def. Sam Alvey via first-round TKO (2:19)
Jared Rosholt def. Timothy Johnson via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Amanda Nunes def. Sara McMann via submission (rear-naked choke) (2:53)
Ray Borg def. Geane Herrera via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Undercard 
Uriah Hall def. Oluwale Bamgbose via first-round TKO (2:32)
Chris Camozzi def. Tom Watson via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 29-27)
Dustin Ortiz def. Willie Gates via third-round TKO (punches) (2:58)
Frankie Saenz def. Sirwan Kakai via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
Jonathan Wilson def. Chris Dempsey via first-round KO (:50)
Marlon Vera def. Roman Salazar via submission (triangle armbar) (R2, 2:15)
Scott Holtzman def. Anthony Christodoulou via sub (rear-naked choke) (R3, 2:40)

The post Fight Night 73 Highlights/Results: Teixeira Submits OSP, Nunes Batters McMann, MMA Judges Screw Up Another One + More appeared first on Cagepotato.

Here Comes A New Challenger: Matches to Make – UFC 190


(via Getty)

By Sam Stilson

We all knew how the main event of UFC 190 was going to end. We had it figured out the moment the fight was booked. Yet, somehow Ronda Rousey still managed to wow us all. The women’s bantamweight champion truly has something special…and that’s the ability to get hundreds of thousands of people to sit through not one but two TUF Brazil finals (and pay for the privilege) just to watch her fight. Incredible.

UFC 190 turned out to be a much better card in practice than on paper and most indicators are suggesting it was more successful than UFC 189. Rousey is well on her way to becoming the new GSP, if she hasn’t already surpassed him, and we can likely expect many more ‘RONDA ROUSEY and a bunch of other fighters’ -type fight cards to come.

Now let’s look at what might be next for the main card competitors.

The post Here Comes A New Challenger: Matches to Make – UFC 190 appeared first on Cagepotato.


(via Getty)

By Sam Stilson

We all knew how the main event of UFC 190 was going to end. We had it figured out the moment the fight was booked. Yet, somehow Ronda Rousey still managed to wow us all. The women’s bantamweight champion truly has something special…and that’s the ability to get hundreds of thousands of people to sit through not one but two TUF Brazil finals (and pay for the privilege) just to watch her fight. Incredible.

UFC 190 turned out to be a much better card in practice than on paper and most indicators are suggesting it was more successful than UFC 189. Rousey is well on her way to becoming the new GSP, if she hasn’t already surpassed him, and we can likely expect many more ‘RONDA ROUSEY and a bunch of other fighters’ -type fight cards to come.

Now let’s look at what might be next for the main card competitors.

Ronda Rousey should fight: Miesha Tate

Rousey is all but booked to face Miesha Tate for a third time in December as the co-main event for the Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo card. But I’m still holding out hope that we can see Cat Zingano and Tate rematch to truly earn another title shot. Rousey’s dominance is getting close to 2008-2009 Anderson Silva levels, where increasingly less-deserving contenders (Cote, Leites) are getting title shots and the public (or perhaps like Silva, Rousey) draws closer and closer to boredom. Rematches of rematches doesn’t seem like a great way to stave off the yawns.

Bethe Correia should fight: Marion Reneau

As expected, Bethe got was coming to her. After weeks of mean mugs and cheap shots, when the fight night arrived, Correira looked scared, stiff and awkward. Talking trash about the champ’s friends and family got her a title shot, but her underdeveloped skills and lack of experience proved she didn’t deserve it. A bout against the relatively inexperienced but still ranked Marion Reneau seems appropriate. It’d be a classic striker vs. grappler matchup and a win for either woman would justify a top 10 spot.

Shogun Rua should fight: Quinton Jackson

Shogun’s back! PRIDE never die! That’s what no one but the most diehard Rua fans should be saying after UFC 190. While a return to training under Rafael Cordeiro clearly paid dividends aside from some sharp kicks (love handles be gone!), Shogun still looked a bit slow, very chinny and nothing like a contender. Rampage already asked for a rematch back in April, and reminded Shogun he’s ready and waiting after the fight. It’s a great match for a UFC on Fox event that would reel in casual fans.

Antônio Rogério Nogueira should fight: Loser of Teixeira-Saint Preux

While Lil’ Nog didn’t look as bad as his brother, he certainly didn’t impress at UFC 190. He’s still a ranked light heavyweight, and considering the state of the 205 lb division, there are still winnable fights for him in the top 15. The loser of the upcoming Glover Teixeira vs. Ovince Saint Preux fight makes sense. If it’s Glover, he’ll be on a 3-fight losing streak and badly in need of a win over a name opponent. If it’s Ovince, the two have yet to fight and he could use another win over a legend for legitimacy. For Nog, a win over either man proves he still belongs at the top.

TUF Brazil 4 finalists should fight: Other TUF contestants

Congratulations fellas. Enjoy your Harley Davidsons.

Stefan Struve should fight: Antonio Silva

Struve got a much-needed win over a legend and pushed Big Nog into retirement to boot. In addition to holding onto his ranking, I’m sure the win helped build the Dutchman’s confidence, which surely was waning after suffering through heart surgery, panic attacks and brutal knockouts in his last few fights. He should take on Bigfoot Silva next, another heavyweight who likely overcame his own fears and self-doubt at UFC 190. Winner can move on to top 10 opposition again. Then probably get KTFO.

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira should fight: for a retirement package

At least he didn’t get knocked out or submitted this time, right everyone? At 39, sitting outside of the top 15, the time is right for Big Nog to call it quits. It was a hell of a career and he should be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year.

Antonio Silva should fight: Stefan Struve

Winning this fight was probably a terrible thing for his long-term health, but he’s back on the winning track and holding onto a spot in the rankings. As stated above, Struve is a perfect next step.

Soa Palelei – should fight: Todd Duffee

Both Palelei and Duffee recently had chances to break into the upper tier of the heavyweight division by putting away fading stars. Both men were soundly beaten for their efforts. Despite a good first round, at UFC 190 Soa proved once and for all that he is a mid-tier gatekeeper at best. Both men need a win to keep their jobs, let them duke it out on the prelims.

Claudia Gadelha should fight: Joanna J?drzejczyk

Gadelha looked incredible as she easily dispatched former WSOF champion Jessica Aguilar. Her rematch with Joanna J?drzejczyk should be a classic and provided the UFC doesn’t bury it on Fight Pass could be just what the division needs to come to prominence.

Jessica Aguilar – should fight: Jessica Penne

It’s not that Aguilar looked bad in her UFC debut, just overmatched. Not unlike Eddie Alvarez’s debut against Donald Cerrone, her fight just reaffirmed what we already know, that being another promotion’s champion doesn’t mean you’re UFC champion material, just that you’re pretty good. She should probably get booked against another contender rather than receive a slow rebuild. Jessica Penne just lost her title bid and would make a great next opponent.

The post Here Comes A New Challenger: Matches to Make – UFC 190 appeared first on Cagepotato.