What an incredible card full of exciting fights and a crazy amount of finishes. The Minnesota fans were treated to one of the best cards of the year. This article will take a deep dive into possible matchups for the winners and losers.
Losing Fighters:
Junior Albini: Jeff Hughes or Released from the UFC
Albini had his moments in the fight, but came up on the short end of the striking exchange. That makes for four straight losses, and will likely lead to his release. If he is kept around, he could matchup with Jeff Hughes who also lost to Maurice Green
Emily Whitmire: Angela Hill or Syuri Kondo
Whitmire simply came up short against a superior grappler. Ribas was able to take her back and finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Hill or Kondo are both coming off losses, and could be a potential matchup with Whitmire.
Dequan Townsend: Eric Spicely or Deron Winn
Townsend came up short after a valiant effort against a powerhouse in Lungiambula. He was a short notice replacement outside of his natural division. I would like to see Townsend get another shot at his true weight class of Middleweight. Spicely or Winn would interesting matchup for the UFC newcomer.
Dan Moret: Marco Polo Reyes or Released from the UFC
The hometown boy came up short in a pivotal fight for his UFC career. Moret succeeded early with his striking, but was eventually neutralized by the wresting and pressure of Gordon. The marks a 3rd straight loss, and could lead to his release. Wiman could be an option after his recent loss against Luis Pena if Moret is kept on the roster.
Vinicius Moreira: Darko Stosic or Gadzhimurad Antigulov
Back to back vicious knockout losses have stopper Moreira’s progress up the UFC ladder. He is a talented grappler who is been given some tough matchups against powerful strikers. He deserves at least one more shot to prove he is worthy of a UFC roster spot.
Journey Newson: Anderson dos Santos or Eddie Wineland
Newsom proved he is worthy of being in the UFC, but simply wasn’t the better man against the young, talented Ramos. He showed some skills and certainly deserves another opportunity in the Octagon. dos Santos and Wineland are veterans trying to find their way, and Newson could be a good test for both
Paul Craig: Dalcha Lungiambula or Patrick Cummins
Craig made a critical mistake in trying a spinning kick too many times. He paid the price and was brutally finished by Menifield. Craig is still a good litmus test for young fighters in the Light Heavyweight division. Dalcha is an up and coming striker like Menifield, or Craig could matchup with veteran Patrick Cummins who has lost three in a row.
Marco Polo Reyes: Dan Moret or Roosevelt Roberts
Reyes was overwhelmed by the power, speed, and pressure of Drew Dober. He never really was able to get a steady offense going. His fighting style will warrant him getting another shot in the UFC. Moret is an option, as both are currently on losing streaks looking to breakthrough. Or, he could be another test for the developing Roberts who suffered his first career defeat tonight.
Roosevelt Roberts: Marco Polo Reyes or Damir Hadzovic
Roberts was able to show his striking prowess and overall ability but came up short against a season veteran. He struggled with the wrestling and pressure that Pichel applied losing a close decision. Roberts future is bright and this seems to be just a bump in the road for his future. A fight against veterans Reyes or Hadzovic may be the chance Roberts needs to get back on his feet
Anthony Rocco Martin: Randy Brown or Michel Pereira
Martin showed a never quit attitude and landed good shots late in round three. However, it was a little too late as Maia had strategically won the first two rounds. Martin found himself in a situation many previous opponents have, and that’s on your back against Maia. Martin was competitive, but simply lost the point battle against a specialist. A fight against the rising Welterweight members Brown or Pereira would be interesting to put together.
Jussier Formiga: Tim Elliott or Rogerio Bontorin
Formiga fought well, but did not have an answer for the spectacular performance by Joseph Benavidez. He just could not keep up with the fluid striking of Benavidez, and eventually was stopped in round two. Formiga is still one of the best at 125 pounds, and is more than qualified to fight someone just below him in the rankings. Elliott and Bontorin are rising contenders looking to prove themselves against one of the best.
Junior dos Santos: Alexander Volkov or Cain Velasquez
dos Santos like Craig made a critical error and paid the ultimate price. He overextended trying to throw his patented overhand right and found himself off balance. Ngannou made him pay dearly knocking him down with shots he never saw coming, and finishing him off with hard ground and pound. dos Santos is still one of the best heavyweights, and is likely to continue fighting. Volkov is currently injured, but they are close in the rankings so this matchup makes sense. Velasquez is an odd fit, but as a fan of both guys I’d like to see them run it back a fourth time. They both are trying to hang on in the division, and the history of their rivalry would sell tickets no doubt.
Winning Fighters:
Maurice Greene: Jairzinho Rozenstruik or Tai Tuivasa
Greene has been on a roll since the Ultimate Fighter season 28. He has won two straight, and displayed his improved striking tonight with a TKO finish. He has earned a step up in competition, and has the potential to be a future contender. Rozenstruik makes sense because they both are on a roll in the divison. Tuivasa could also be an option, he is a former top 15 contender at heavyweight and is looking to break his two fight losing streak.
Amanda Ribas: Ashley Yoder or Marina Rodriguez
Ribas showcased her superior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game, and had one hell of a UFC debut with a rear naked choke finish. The key for Ribas to thrive will be staying healthy as this was her first fight since 2016. Yoder or Rodriguez could make sense as they both are coming off recent victories. Ribas is a real threat on the ground for anyone in the division.
Dalcha Lungiambula: Alonzo Menifield or Paul Craig
Lungiambula showed a little bit of everything in his UFC debut. He displayed feats of power, speed, and explosing with his takedowns. He also provided a spectacular finish dropping Townsend and finishing him off with elbows. Menifield would be a fun fight for Dalcha to take next. They have a similar style, and both are possible contenders down the road in the division. Craig would be a veteran test who could give Lungiambula problems on the mat.
Jared Gordon: Vinc Pichel or Luis Pena
A much needed victory for Gordon after suffering two straight losses. Gordon didn’t provide a jaw dropping moment, but did his job which is to win the fight. He used his pressure and wrestling to grind out a decision. Pichel is a interesting matchup because their styles are similar, and Pena works since he is a young prospect on the rise.
Eryk Anders: Ed Herman or Devin Clark
Anders was able to use timing, power, and patience to his advantage against Moreira. He landed some brutal left and right hands to seal the deal for a impressive knockout victory. He shut the doubters up temporarily, bouncing back from a two fight losing streak. Herman is also coming off a win, and finds himself in a similar position as Anders on the outside looking in at the top 15. Clark is coming off a victory as well, and could test Anders ability to stop the takedown.
Ricardo Ramos: Andre Ewell or Eddie Wineland
Ramos had a clean performance winning both the striking and grappling exchanges. He looked composed for a guy coming off a quick TKO loss. Ewell has a similar record as Ramos, and both guys have that prospect moniker. Wineland is another option as the former WEC champion is coming off a big win in his last fight. A win over Wineland would boost the resume of the young Ramos.
Alonzo Menifield: Dalcha Lungiambula or Ed Herman
Menifield continues to impress with his fight changing power, and continued roll of keeping a zero next to his name. Menifield has been relatively untested to this point, and harnesses the power to shut anyone’s lights off. Dalcha Lungiambula would be a fight fan’s dream as both guys are young, powerful, and hungry for a chance at a top 15 fighter. Herman also works as he is a proven fighter with a wealth of experience in the cage.
Drew Dober: Vinc Pichel or Leonardo Santos
Dober looked sensational in this fight, and continued his trend of being very inconsistent. He showed big time power and swarmed on Reyes to finish him via TKO. When Dober is on, he has the skills and physical traits to be a world champion. The question will be can he build off of this win for a sustained run at lightweight. Pichel would test Dober’s defensive wrestling and overall ground game. The same can be said for Santos who returned in a big way with his recent knockout win in Sweden.
Vinc Pichel: Drew Dober or Christos Giagos
Pichel handled the early onslaught of Roberts, and bounced back in the later rounds pushing the pace. His wrestling, pressure, and cardio were able to lead him to victory. Pichel is a serious test in the lightweight division, and the only thing stopping him is injuries. If he can stay healthy, I would not be surprised to see Pichel move his way up the rankings. Dober has a constrast in styles, but has been a real force in the division for years. A win over Drew would do wonders for Pichel’s future in the division. Giagos has been impressive in back to back outings, and has an all-around game similar to Pichel.
Demian Maia: Santiago Ponzinibbio or Stephen Thompson
It certainly was not pretty, but Maia completed the ultimate task which is to win. He is living proof that being a specialist can still work at the highest level. He also picked up win number 21 in the UFC. This is an incredible achievement that proves he has been a star in the UFC for years. Ponzinibbio has been out of action for a while, and has never been tested against a grappler on Maia’s level. This could be a new challenge for both men closely matched in the rankings. Stephen Thompson would also be a fresh face, and is looking to bounce back after his first ever stoppage loss in his combat life.
Joseph Benavidez: Henry Cejudo
Benavidez looked sensational tonight, and put together what I think is his best performance of his career. The former WEC bantamweight champion beat Formiga up on the feet, and out scrambled the talented Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He overcame a cut on his eye, and sealed the deal with a second round knockout. A powerful left headkick followed by a barrage of punches to finish off Formiga. Benavidez has earned a crack at the title, and deserves to be given a shot at Cejudo’s belt. The first fight was very close, and the rematch would be a chance for Cejudo to enact his revenge. The flyweight division is showing signs of life after nearly being scrapped.
Francis Ngannou: Daniel Cormier or Stipe Miocic
Ngannou continues to prove he is one of the scariest people walking the face of the earth. He showed a new arsenal to his game landing some heavy leg kicks, and a level of patience not rushing his attacks. He capitalized on a bad mistake by dos Santos nailing him with shots Junior never saw coming. Francis then finished the job on the mat with punches leaving Junior with no other option but to cover up. Ngannou has redeemed himself after a tough loss to Stipe, and a terrible performance against Derrick Lewis. He has taken out top conteder Curtis Blaydes, former champion Cain Velasquez, and now former champion dos Santos. The only fight in his future is the winner of Daniel Cormier or Stipe Miocic. Both guys bring a different kind of styler, but both know the unbelievable Cameroonian awaiting the victor.
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